Heath Ledger. The man, the myth, the legend.
Most people have known him as the iconic villain Joker from The Dark Knight or from his stint as a poet addicted to drugs in the romantic drama Candy. But Ledger was not always the actor who portrayed darker roles, which gave the audience a gaze into the impending doom that came on the afternoon of January 22, 2008.
In the early years of his career, Ledger chose to work on varied scripts like 10 Things I Hate About You, which saw the goofy, romantic side of him. After his performance in Brokeback Mountain, which earned him an Oscar nomination, he started to work on films like Candy and The Dark Knight, that dealt with darker themes. Irrespective of that, Ledger shined in every film he worked on.
Although the late actor only worked in Hollywood for a decade, he made a mark that will never fade. On this day of his birth anniversary, Silverscreen India brings to you a list of his films which are hidden gems, waiting to be unearthed.
A Knight’s Tale (2001)
This adventure-comedy film, set in the medieval era, features Ledger playing the character of William Thatcher, who poses as a knight to compete in tournaments. The film did commercially well and he was also nominated for a Teen Choice Award for his role.
Ned Kelly (2003)
Directed by Gregor Jordan, Ned Kelly is an Australian historical drama, adapted from Robert Drewe’s novel titled Our Sunshine. Ledger essays the titular role of Kelly, an Australian folk hero who is an outlaw and leads a life of crime. His outstanding and realistic portrayal of Ned Kelly earned him several award nominations, including the AFI award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the FCCA award for Best Actor – Male.
Two Hands (1999)
Possibly one of the most undiscovered films of Ledger, Two Hands is a must-watch for all of Ledger’s fans and cinema enthusiasts. The Australian crime-comedy stars Ledger as a young criminal named Jimmy, who gets into trouble after losing a gangster’s money. While it did not garner much attention after release, the film portrays the fun, youthful side of the late actor, along with a ‘bad-boy’ shade to his character.
Lords of Dogtown (2005)
While Lords of Dogtown bombed at the box office, the film managed to become a cult classic. The American biographical drama was led by Emile Hirsch playing Jay Adams, John Robinson as Stacy Peralta, Victor Rasuk essaying Tony Alva, and Ledger as Skip Engblom. It tells the story of the surf and skateboarding trend in Venice, California, during the 70s. The film earned Ledger several award nominations.
The Brothers Grimm (2005)
Directed by Terry Gilliam, this film features Ledger alongside actor Matt Damon. The story revolves around two brothers, who are con-artists posing as ‘monster hunters’. Although this was the only time Ledger was seen in a fantasy film, it is a performance worth remembering. There is magic and then there is Ledger, what more would one need?
The Four Feathers (2002)
An adaptation of AEW Mason’s 1902 novel The Four Feathers, Ledger takes on the role of Harry Faversham, a British officer prior to the Gordon Relief Expedition of 1884. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the story follows Faversham and the ordeals he goes through, in order to save his friends and family and also redeem his honour. The film was not a huge success at the box office, but it sees Ledger shine through, with his performance.
