Rutger
Hauer has passed. The prolific actor who defined genre character work
transcended classification by carving out his own niche within the
industry. If you grew up in the '80s and '90s and consumed late night
cable delights, Hauer was a formative part of your cinematic education. A
towering blond with unforgettable presence, Hauer drifted in and out of
blockbusters and B movies for the duration of his legendary career. What
follows is a journey through some of his (in)famous roles and esoteric films.
While the grief of his death may never truly pass, the adoration of his fans
and celebrations of his remarkable contributions to film and the world are
bright reminders of his immortal legacy.
The Blood of Heroes
One
of the forgotten films of '80s, this cult cinematic jewel turned the
post-apocalyptic genre on its head with a story about a team of athletes vying
for fame and fortune in The Game. Hauer stars as the veteran of the team,
fallen from grace. The chemistry between the heroes is especially of
import, particularly Hauer and screen legend Joan Chen.
Blind Fury
Arguably
Hauer's most "fun" role, it was also one of his most
challenging. Featuring a veritable who's who of '80s character actors,
thrilling swordplay, and a genuine heartfelt script, this is an excellent
starting place for someone looking to explore Hauer's filmography.
Blade Runner
Hauer’s
memorable rebel android Batty has the honor of the film’s most memorable
dialogue and his precious screen time with Ford is outstanding, perfectly
summarizing the gargantuan concepts preceding the finale with verbal poetry
uncommon to a picture such as this. Hauer’s blazing white hair and
piercing eyes overshadow his towering physique, presenting him as a fallen
angel, an outsider looking for acceptance who understands the evils of the
world who will never him embrace him.
Wanted: Dead or Alive
One
of many films that attempted to recapture the Rambo zeitgeist, this is pure
violent excess. The magic, aside from Gene Simmons woefully miscast as a
terrorist leader, is watching Hauer chew the scenery in virtually every
sequence, particularly the pitch perfect finale.
Split Second
An
absolutely ludicrous neo-noir Alien rip off, Split Second is also a wonderful
example of world building and production design. Hauer embodies detective
Harley Stone (yes, that's his name) with his usual panache, but its his
chemistry with Alistair Duncan that sets this one ahead of the pack, coupled
with the infamous "Bigger Guns" line.
Ladyhawke
Vintage
Hauer. The haunted, lone swordsman at odds with the world and
himself. Ladyhawke divisive upon its release, but sterling performances
and outright beautiful cinematography have allowed the film to remain a
centerpiece of '80s fantasy films.
The Hitcher
Eric
Red struggled to get his dangerous script produced for years. The final
result is both a terrifying experience and Hauer's greatest performance.
Nihilism stains every scene, with Hauer's malevolent John Ryder serving as the
murderous eye of the storm.
Hobo with a Shotgun
A
masterwork of exploitation, this is the height of Hauer's total commitment to a
role. This is both a throwback to the days of grindhouse and a
celebration of a time when creativity and rebellion were the most important commodities
in Hollywood. Be warned: Despite the premise, this is not for the faint
of heart.
Flesh and Blood
Paul
Verhoeven's charming historical epic is anchored by Hauer's leading role as
Martin. Telling the story of mercenaries, love triangles, and
various duplicities, Flesh and Blood has achieved cult status over the years
since its release.
Crossworlds
A 1996
straight to DVD affair, this is another perfect example of Hauer's
timelessness, and perhaps also a sobering reminder of his typecasting during
the height of his career. Hauer stars as yet another tragic adventurer,
however he's having so much fun it doesn't matter. His performance, and
the "this would never get made" cheesy goodness of late the 20th
century Blockbuster science fiction shelves.
--Kyle
Jonathan