Best Anthony Quinn Movies

With some many great films under his belt, it is hard to narrow down the best Anthony Quinn movies. Mexican-American actor Anthony Quinn starred in hundreds of roles, and some of the best Anthony Quinn movies won prestigious awards and recognition. Due to his heritage, Anthony Quinn was able to play a variety of characters from different ethnic backgrounds, such as Eskimo, Native American, Greek and more. Each movie role Quinn was cast in, he always gave 150 percent and it shows in his final movie product.

1. "Lawrence of Arabia". For its time, this Anthony Quinn movie was one of the classic greats. Released in 1962, it cost a whopping thirteen million dollars to make and cast well known actors including Omar Sharif, Peter O'Toole and Alec Guinness in addition to Quinn. Anthony Quinn plays the character Auda Abu Tayi and was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role as well as a BAFTA Film Award. The film focuses on the struggles of the Middle Eastern world during World War I and won a total of seven Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture.
2. "Zorba the Greek". Probably one of the best remembered Anthony Quinn movies of all time, the 1964 drama "Zorba the Greek" casts Quinn as the lead actor portraying Alexis Zorba, a Greek resident who lives life to the fullest. Some say Quinn was 'born to play' this role and if you've ever watched the film, you just might agree. The film was based on the book of the same name written by Nikos Kazantzakis, and won a total of three Academy Awards, including Anthony Quinn's Best Actor Award.
3. "Viva Zapata!". This 1952 fictionalized biopic tells the tale of the revolutionary Mexican Indian leader, Emiliano Zapata played by Anthony Quinn's co-star, Marlon Brando. Quinn's role in this film was that of Eufemio Zapata, the lead character's brother. The Zapata family was brought up as poor farmers who became allies with Pancho Villa against Mexico's tyrannical President. Ironically, Quinn's own father worked with the real Pancho Villa while still living in Mexico. The movie's screenplay was written by John Steinbeck, producer was Darryl F. Zanuck and the director, Elia Kazan. Both Marlon Brando and Anthony Quinn won Oscars for their performances. This was an intriguing story and definitely one of the best Anthony Quinn movies by far.