10 Best Movies Starring Joseph Fiennes
Journalist Zoe Williams describes Joseph Fiennes as the "go-to actor for English cultural history" due to his impressive acting abilities. This is because Fiennes is truly skilled at acting, proved by numerous of awards and nominations he has received.
Starting his career in 1995 and continuing to this day, Fiennes remains active and successful. One of his notable roles is playing William Shakespeare in the movie Shakespeare in Love (1998). Thanks to his outstanding performance, Fiennes has been honored with awards from prestigious events.
Because of his talent, Fiennes has been chosen for important roles in major films. Among the many movies he's been a part of, we've selected ten of the finest for you below!
1. Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates (2001) is a war film starring Joseph Fiennes. It's based on a true story described in William Craig's 1973 book Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad.
The movie depicts the events of the Battle of Stalingrad during the winter of 1942-1943. The main character is a fictionalized version of Vasily Zaitsev, a skilled Soviet sniper and a hero of World War II.
Vasily Zaitsev, a Red Army soldier, is sent to the front lines of the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942. He later crosses paths with Commissar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes).
Danilov looks up to Zaitsev as a role model. Eventually, Zaitsev is transferred to the sniper division, just like Danilov. Both men also develop feelings for Tania Chernova, a local militia soldier.
Initially jealous of Zaitsev and Tania's relationship, Danilov comes to regret his actions. He makes a deliberate sacrifice to outsmart German Major König, an expert sniper sent by the enemy to eliminate Zaitsev.
2. Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love (1998) is a period romantic comedy film that tells the story of a love affair involving the famous playwright William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps. The film focuses on Shakespeare's experiences while writing his famous play Romeo and Juliet. In this film, Joseph Fiennes takes on the role of William Shakespeare.
The story is set in London in the year 1593. Shakespeare is commissioned to write a play for Philip Henslowe, the owner of a theater. During auditions, he becomes intrigued by one of the actors, Thomas Kent. Unbeknownst to Shakespeare, Thomas Kent is actually a young woman named Viola de Lesseps, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
One evening, Shakespeare manages to sneak into a ball at Viola's family residence. This event is being held to arrange Viola's engagement to Lord Wessex. At the ball, Shakespeare and Viola meet and share a dance, leaving Shakespeare captivated by her.
This encounter becomes the inspiration behind Shakespeare's creation of the play "Romeo and Juliet." Viola, under the alias Thomas Kent, is chosen to portray Romeo in the play. As Shakespeare discovers Viola's true identity, they embark on a secret and challenging romantic relationship.
3. Elizabeth
Elizabeth (1998) is a British historical drama movie directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Michael Hirst. The film tells the story of the early years of Queen Elizabeth's reign in England. She became queen after her half-sister Mary I died while in captivity. During this time, Elizabeth faced numerous challenges that threatened her rule.
When Elizabeth took over the throne, England was in a difficult situation. The country was burdened by debt, its infrastructure was in disarray, and there were disloyal nobles within her government. Her advisor, William Cecil, suggested that she should marry and have an heir to secure her power.
However, Elizabeth wasn't interested in marriage and instead continued her romantic involvement with Lord Robert Dudley, played by Joseph Fiennes. Despite her feelings, Elizabeth realized the urgency of her situation and contemplated marrying Henry of France.
In an effort to stabilize her reign, Elizabeth makes a decision that angers the Vatican, leading to plans to overthrow her. The situation becomes even more chaotic when her potential marriage to Henry is cancelled due to a secret revelation, and another assassination plot looms over her.
4. Hercules
Hercules (2014) is a fantasy action-adventure film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos. The film is based on a graphic novel with the same title written by Steve Moore. It follows the story of Hercules, a demigod believed to be the son of Zeus.
Set in 358 BC on the coast of Macedonia in Northern Greece, the plot revolves around Hercules and his team. They are visited by Princess Ergenia, who seeks Hercules' help to protect her father's kingdom from the warlord Rhesus. King Cotys, Ergenia's father, wants Hercules to train the Thracian army to defend against this brutal warlord.
However, before Hercules could reach his intended destination, he is asked to lead the army into battle against Rhesus. Tragically, Rhesus' sorcery strikes first, resulting in the loss of half the Thracian army.
In a challenging subsequent battle, Hercules emerges victorious against Rhesus. However, during this time, Hercules uncovers a shocking revelation about Rhesus: his actions were driven by Cotys' attempt to expand his kingdom. In this film, Joseph Fiennes portrays King Eurystheus, an ally of Cotys.
5. The Merchant of Venice
The next movie featuring Joseph Fiennes is The Merchant of Venice (2014). This romantic drama is based on one of Shakespeare's plays. The story starts with a portrayal of the Christian community in Venice mistreating the Jewish community. It highlights the story of Shylock, a converted Jew who was expelled from the Jewish area of Venice.
In this film, Fiennes takes on the role of Bassanio, a young Venetian who intends to travel to Belmont in order to court an heiress named Portia.
To fund his journey, Bassanio seeks financial assistance from his friend Antonio. Antonio then turns to Shylock for a loan. Shylock agrees to lend the money, but he sets forth specific conditions.
If Antonio fails to repay the loan by a certain deadline, Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh as collateral. Bassanio is alarmed and attempts to intervene, but Antonio consents to the agreement.
Amidst a series of events, Bassanio wins the chance to become Portia's suitor. However, Antonio faces greater challenges with Shylock after he becomes unable to fulfill their agreement.
6. Stealing Beauty
Stealing Beauty (1996) was the second Joseph Fiennes film since his 1995 debut. The film revolves around a nineteen-year-old American woman who travels to a lush Tuscan villa near Siena to stay with friends from the family of her poet mother, who has recently passed away.
The teenager named Lucy arrives at the villa owned by her mother's friends, Ian and Diana Grayson. She meets Diana's daughter Miranda Fox and her boyfriend Richard Reed. Meanwhile, Miranda's brother, Christopher (Joseph Fiennes), is still on his way with Niccolò.
Lucy hopes to meet Niccolò because he was the man who got her first kiss 4 years ago. Unfortunately, when she finally meets Niccolò, he doesn't recognize her. Niccolò only became interested after he saw Lucy exposing one of her breasts while posing for a sketch Ian had made.
While at the villa with her mother's friends, Lucy learns many surprising facts about her late mother's relationship with her father and about who her real father is.
7. The Great Raid
The Great Raid (2005) is a war film centered around the raid on Cabanatuan on Luzon Island, Philippines, during World War II. Directed by John Dahl, the movie portrays the heroic efforts of American soldiers to rescue Allied prisoners of war (POWs) from a Japanese POW camp.
In 1945, the Japanese captured 500 American prisoners who had survived the brutal Bataan Death March, and imprisoned them in a notorious POW camp. These American soldiers endured harsh treatment and were subjected to executions without proper trials.
At Lingayen Bay, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci led the 6th Ranger Battalion. Under the orders of Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, they were tasked with liberating all the POWs from the camp before the Japanese could carry out further atrocities.
In addition to the military operation, a nurse named Margaret Utinsky played a vital role in smuggling medicine into the camp. Margaret, whose husband was a former commander killed during a troop withdrawal in 1942, becomes entangled in a love story with Major Daniel Gibson. Joseph Fiennes portrays Major Gibson, the leader of the POWs suffering from malaria in the camp.
8. Risen
Risen (2016) is an American/Spanish biblical drama film directed by Kevin Reynolds, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Aiello. This movie is the next Joseph Fiennes film we suggest you consider.
The story centers around a Roman soldier's journey to locate the body of Yeshua (Jesus) after his reported resurrection. In this film, Fiennes portrays the main character named Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger.
Clavius, a Roman Tribune of Legio X Fretensis, oversees the crucifixion of Yeshua and orders his soldiers to guard his body. However, Yeshua's body goes missing, and the soldiers claim that Yeshua's followers stole it, creating the illusion of his resurrection. Consequently, Clavius is tasked with the mission to find Yeshua's body.
As Clavius investigates, he stumbles upon something astonishing. Facing a dead end, he visits the Roman soldier who was responsible for guarding Yeshua's tomb. This soldier recounts witnessing a miraculous event as Yeshua's body disappeared. Clavius is initially skeptical but increasingly intrigued.
His astonishment reaches its peak when Clavius encounters Yeshua alive in a particular place. What truly happened to Yeshua after his crucifixion?
9. Goodbye Bafana
Joseph Fiennes takes the lead role once again in the autobiographical film Goodbye Bafana (2007), also known as The Color of Freedom (2007). In this film, he portrays James Gregory, who is depicted as Nelson Mandela's censor and prison guard.
The movie is based on the book Goodbye Bafana: Nelson Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend written by the real James Gregory. Directed by Billie August, Goodbye Bafana (2007) explores the dynamic between Nelson Mandela and James Gregory.
The film explores James' relationship with his wife as their lives undergo significant changes while Mandela is under their watch. James, initially harboring racist beliefs towards the black population, experiences a transformation as he learns about Mandela's leadership and principles.
Nelson Mandela, a young revolutionary, is arrested and imprisoned, leading to James Gregory being assigned to oversee him. Over time, James confronts the racist politics and culture of his own country as he witnesses Mandela's struggle and conviction.
10. Running with Scissors
In Running with Scissors (2006), Joseph Fiennes portrays the character Neil Bookman, who is depicted as engaging in abusive behavior by coercing Burroughs, the movie's main character, into performing unwanted sexual acts.
Burroughs' life takes a difficult turn after his parents separate. He is sent to live with his mother's psychiatrist, which prompts him to question his own sexual orientation.
During this time, he encounters Dr. Finch, who resides in a deteriorating house with his wife, Agnes. Unfortunately, the situation doesn't improve, as all the residents of Finch's house lead promiscuous lives.
Due to his circumstances, Burroughs faces a distressing situation involving Cesar, a mentally ill individual and another patient of Dr. Finch. Burroughs later develops a connection with Dr. Finch's daughter, Natalie.
The challenges continue to mount as Burroughs is confronted with a shocking truth that forces him to make a difficult decision. It's revealed that Dr. Finch had abused Burroughs' mother under the guise of treatment. This revelation leaves Burroughs torn, as Dr. Finch has become a significant figure in his life, akin to family. What choices Burroughs must make in the face of this troubling reality?
Joseph Fiennes has acted in many good movies, and we've picked ten of them for you in this article. These movies have captivating stories. Most of them are older films where Fiennes played memorable roles, like when he portrayed Shakespeare.
Out of the movies listed, do you have any favorites? Are there any other Joseph Fiennes movies you'd like to suggest? Share your thoughts in the comments section!