Bad thread title scared me. Hard to pick just one, but went with The Exorcist.

This.

Voted The Exorcist. Really liked him in Minority Report as well.

"I could kill you now...but I won't...because I need you."

For me, it's Snow Falling on Cedars.

I've only seen a few of his performances, and some of them I haven't seen in close to a decade. Here's my list:

The Virgin Spring - We know the entire time what's coming, and it's largely because of his performance that that information only makes us more uncomfortable, rather than detached.

The Seventh Seal - A great character; one of those instances where I applaud the performance, but I think it could have worked with someone else in the role just as well.

Never Say Never Again - Overlooked, but I'll take his Blofeld over Charles Gray any day of the week.

The Exorcist - It's been ten years since I saw this; I remember the movie more than I remember his performance. I don't, however, remember thinking anything was bad about any part of the film, so by default that means I must have enjoyed his performance.

Wild Strawberries - outstanding film, but he's only here in a bit part as a gas station attendant. And now I'm thinking about Wayne's World 2, where they replace an actor in a scene as a gas station attendant with Charlton Heston.

Minority Report - I couldn't have even told you he was in this; haven't seen it since its theatrical release.

I can't decide on one. But I admit that "Citizen X" does come to mind whenever I read or hear his name.

Here Here!

I know...that was the 1st and only film I knew of him from...then probably 6 years later I saw Minority Report...amazed that he wasn't dead. Damn good make up job...

I think we've pretty much covered that.

I just love mentioning that.

I highly recommend you see some Bergman films my friend.
The combination of Bergman & Von Sydow IMO is right up there with :

Mifune - Kurosawa
DeNiro - Scorsese
Mastroianni - Fellini
Nakadai - Kobayashi

I was like 10 when I saw The Exorcist and 16 when Minority Report came out. I didn't know I was going to be a film major at that time. In fact, I was thinking about being a geneticist. I've seen a lot of the Bergman and Von Sydow films. And yes...I think Bergman's use of Von Sydow is as great as the AK-TM team.

Also...let us not forget the Kurosawa-Shimura films they did. As much as I like Mifune, I think I love Shimura more.

Call me blasphemous but I thought he was amazing as Ming the Merciless. In a truly odd film with a completely absurd costume, he's pitch perfect in both over-the-top evil and general menace.

Of course there are all the Bergman entries, but I choose The Night Visitor (1970), a physically demanding role in a positively riveting thriller.

No love for his role in Judge Dredd?

WTF people.. does everyone besides me hate that movie?

I couldn't choose, I like Max Von Sydow in everything I've seen him in, even as Dr. (Liet) Kynes, the Imperial Planetologist (and leader of the Fremen) in the movie Dune. -kd5-

I remember not liking it. Saw it 3 weeks ago...well I'll be damned..it's got great set design and action. I kinda wish for a BD of it at some point cuz....I like it now.

Fixed

Good call. I remember seeing this on a double bill with DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS at a Bronx neighborhood theater some 38 or so years ago and the crowd really dug NIGHT VISITOR. There's a key scene you'll recall that drew applause from the audience.

Oh, and I'm a fan of JUDGE DREDD as well.

The Exorcist, easily. But I also thought he was excellent in The Virgin Spring.

"Klytus, I'm bored."

Needful Things. Not his best film, but his performance is perfect.

The final one, one of the all-time classic endings.

Yeah, that's one of my favorites too. His closing argument is just a great scene.