who is the best British actor has the greatest body of work???

[ryeseagull]

Alec Guiness deserves some more love here.

John Mills as a dark horse.

 

[Icy Gull]

Can I nominate a female?

Julie Christie has made some great movies - including Billy Liar, Dr Zhivago, Far from the Madding Crowd, Don't look now and Shampoo (OK shampoo is stretching it a bit but I loved that film, or was it her I loved )

 

[Gwylan]

For some reason I thought this was only about living actors.

Alec Guinness for definite, Olivier, although he could be an old ham, ditto Burton, and Gielgud for that voice.

 

[The Large One]

Timothy Spall

 

[Spun Cuppa]

Tim Roth

Ray Winstone

Peter O'Toole

 

[Napper]

Danny Dyer

 

[The Merry Prankster]

Albert Finney
Tom Wilkinson

 

[The Merry Prankster]

Phil Davis always puts in a good shift.

 

[vegster]

Caine has been IN some great films but after his magic spell in the late sixties he has always just made me laugh.
Even in critically aclaimed films like Mona Lisa and the like I always think he`s Charlie Parker or Alfie.

Don't you mean Charlie Croker ?... schooolboy error !

Caine is pretty much the greatest because of his huge number of films and the diversity of genres. He can do everything from nutcases to comedy...just lifting a few diverse roles.. Educating Rita, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Miss Congeniality and The Quiet American

He once said " My wife has a very high standard of living which, fortunately, can be maintained by a low standard of movie "

Genius

 

[wellquickwoody]

Edward Fox.

The man has the most mercurial talent for playing......himself!

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Alec Guinness for me. More versatile and less hammy/lovey than Olivier in a similar timeframe.

 

[The Spanish]

John Mills as a dark horse.

you are thinking of Black Beauty.

 

[1234andcounting]

Undoubtedly Sir Alec Guiness. Here is the evidence
Great Expectations as Herbert Pocket
Oliver Twist as Fagin
Kind Hearts and Coronets - 8 different roles
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Man In The White Suit
The Ladykillers (on its own would put him in any top 10)
Bridge On The River Kwai (ditto)
Tunes Of Glory (if you haven't seent it check this out, brilliant drama and playing opposite Sir John Mills)
Lawrence Of Arabia - as Faisal the soon to be King
Dr Zhivago
Star Wars

If any other British actor has such a diverse range of performances in films of such contrasting styles - adaptations of classic novels, brilliant comedies, and even pop culture sci-fi I can't think of them.