He's worked with some of the finest directors of all time and has a career spanning 60 years. From a leading man to character actor to a supporting actor late in his career, this superb performer has had a rich and diverse career.

What is your favorite Max Von Sydow performance?

I thought this was going to be an RIP thread!

Maybe not his best, but my favorite is definitely Emperor Ming; when I heard of the reboot/remake they were planning, I couldn't picture who could do that role better than Von Sydow.

Another one that I really enjoyed is the interrogator/spy-ring leader in The Quiller Memorandum.

I couldn't possibly pick one single performance, although I do think Bergman got something out of him that most other directors couldn't.

why make the thread before a post. i thought for a second that maybe he had passed

Prob Father Merrin

The Exorcist is probably his best work, but Ming the Merciless is fun to watch!

The Seventh Seal is the winner for me.

The Exorcist

He's looked the same for about 40 years now. I was thinking of picking HAWAII, but I haven't seen that in a very long time. I went with THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR because whenever I think of Von Sydow I first think of his main scene in that film and whenever I think of that film, I first think of Von Sydow. (Hank Garrett as the killer postman comes second.)

I can't choose at the moment but I know that when I saw Minority Report I was shocked that he wasn't dead. I THOUGHT that when I saw The Exorcist he was already pretty old at that time..turns out...they gave him convincing make up. Also...he aged pretty much the way that make up showed him as an elderly man.

Indeed, pretty damn close. Hard to believe there is roughly 30 years difference in these shots

Definitely need to see Hawaii, saw it was on MGMHD recently and missed out.

Totally forgot about Three Days, such a great performance capped off with the "It will happen this way:" speech.

No 'Winter Light'? Bad OP!

I would have to say 'Three Days of the Condor' is my favorite. He owned that movie. Without his masterful acting in that role that would be a lesser film.

He looks younger to me in the picture on the right!

And the role I would have liked to see him play after Richard Harris' unfortunate passing: Dumbledore.

Definitely Strange Brew.

That's the magic of Dick Smith.

but I still voted for Hour/Wolf. Like Suprmallet said, Bergman could do wonders with Max.

Yeah, it's pretty remarkable in hindsight.

Me too! I was dreading looking into this thread.

Damn it... I knew I missed something.

Yes indeed.

For my money the best old-age make-up job ever and perhaps Smith's crowning achievement. It is something to behold.

The Exorcist

He's also the uncredited voice of Vigo in Ghostbusters II. He was dubbed over Wilhelm von Homburg.

It's gotta be one of the Bergman films.
Which one?
Now that's difficult.

Shame or Hour of the Wolf but I vote for his performance in Shame.

However, he never disappoints.

Victory. No question about it in my mind.