The Other Great Roles of Alan Rickman Apart From Severus Snape

By Abdul Ahad Naushad | 5.9k | 18 Jan 2016

Alan Rickman is no more. The giant of British film and theatre has joined David Bowie in Heaven. It was a huge shock to learn of his passing and I’m still not sure I’ve been able to come to terms with it yet. The man who was the splitting image of Severus Snape when I was reading the books? It’s hard to believe The Mighty has Fallen. But if there’s one thing I know it’s that sadly, a large number of people will only remember him as Snape. The least I could do as a tribute to him is to inform such people of many other performances of his, some of which are better than Snape.

Colonel Brandon – Sense and Sensibility (1995)

One of the major Oscar snubs the following year, Alan Rickman’s character is part of a love triangle with Kate Winslet’s character Marianne and Greg Wise’s character John Willoughby.

Warm, upbeat and restrained, he delivers one of the best performances of his career. It was a smart choice to cast him in a role he wouldn’t normally be cast in, as he pulled it off with grace and found his way into our hearts.

Judge Turpin – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Being an actor of incredible range, Alan Rickman was unafraid to take on this project, even though the said project was a Tim Burton musical and he couldn’t sing very well.

Nevertheless, the gravitas he brings to the role begs the question as to why this man hasn’t received any sort of recognition from The Academy? His character is responsible for ruining Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp)’s life and is such that you would dread to be in his company or run afoul of him. Yet another testament to the fact that we lost a great actor too soon.

Alexander Dane/Dr. Lazarus – Galaxy Quest (1999)

Dean Parisot's hilarious Galaxy Quest is ample proof that Alan Rickman could pull off comic roles. Galaxy Quest is a film where a bunch of actors from a once-popular television series (called Galaxy Quest) are doing the convention circuit. Then they encounter real aliens.

The film casts Alan Rickman as Alexander Dane, who played - under obligatory make-up - the science officer of the ship. His character’s catchphrase will probably go down in history as the most unique : "By Grabthar's hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!". That his character continues to get pissed off by this more and more as the film progresses only adds to the comedy.

Harry – Love Actually (2003)

In one of the best ensemble films ever, Alan Rickman’s segment involves his character Harry, who is married to a stay-at-home-mom Karen (Emma Thompson) cheating on her with his secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch).

When he is finally confronted by her, what follows is some of the most sincere apologizing I’ve ever seen anyone do. It feels so sincere that you end up sympathizing with him a little bit; even though he is entirely in the wrong for cheating on his wife (who happens to be Emma Thompson. How could you cheat on Emma Thompson?!)

The Sheriff of Nottingham – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Had Alan Rickman not been cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham, this film would’ve disappeared into history. As it stands, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves is an entertaining film, albeit a bit of a muddle at times, and a show that Rickman steals.

The Sheriff is comfortably one of the most entertaining villains we've ever seen in a blockbuster movie. The tone of his delivery and the sheer weariness of it, as he runs after Kevin Costner’s Robin of Locksley is absolute perfection. And then there’s this wonderful scene-

Hans Gruber - Die Hard (1988)

In what is considered one of the greatest action films (or greatest American action films) of all time, we see NYPD Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) in his inaugural adventure take on the evil, scheming terrorist Hans Gruber and his gang single-handedly and save the day.

What sets Alan Rickman’s performance apart from the stereotypical action movie villain is that in a pivotal scene he comes face to face with our hero while unarmed and exploits the fact that the latter doesn’t recognize him by pretending to be a scared and defenseless office worker. He is so convincing that for a second you forget that he’s holding a lot of people hostage. This may have been the film that kick-started Bruce Willis’ action career, but it wouldn’t have been what it was without Hans Gruber.

Jamie - Truly Madly Deeply (1990)

Possibly the late Anthony Minghella's best film, it's also a movie that features a stunning, beautiful leading turn from Rickman who normally essays supporting roles. The film’s premise is a little similar to ‘Ghost’ which released in the same year, but is far superior.

He’s heavily invested in his role of Jamie, who loves Juliet Stevenson's Nina. But their dream of a life together is tragically cut short when Jamie suddenly dies. However, his ghost starts appearing to her, and Rickman puts in a delicate, terrific, accessible and heartbreaking performance. What makes the film all the more special is that there is some ambiguity to it all. Is Nina seeing just what she wants to see, or is the ghost of Jamie really before her? In a career packed with must-see performances, this one remains arguably Alan Rickman's best.

Do yourselves a favor and watch all of these films. May we all find solace for the loss the world has sustained. R.I.P Alan Rickman (1946-Always)