Best Actor 1970: Results

5. James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope- Jones is hampered down by a rather lackluster film, and a rather lackluster co-star, but he still is effective nonetheless.

4. Ryan O'Neal in Love Story- It is easy perhaps to mock this film, and perhaps this performance, but there really is no reason to because O'Neal certainly is effective in his part, giving a realistic honest performance, that finds the perfect chemistry with his co-star to make the film work.

3. Melvyn Douglas in I Never Sang for My Father- Douglas despite not always being given that much screen time is still able to create an interesting portrait of a father who despite loving his son, he refuses to give into anything that goes against his personal beliefs.

2. Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces- Nicholson is simply amazing here, and it is shame that both he and Scott were nominated in the same year. It really is hard to compare the performances in anyway other than that they are both brilliant. Nicholson portrait of his character is intense, and incredibly effective. He never seems to seek sympathy from the audience, but it is exceedingly hard to not to become invested in his incredible performance.

1. George C. Scott in Patton- Good prediction Dinasztie. Now this a rather difficult decision, although I felt perhaps with going with Nicholson, but that was before I re-watched Patton. It is not that this is a performance that stands far above Nicholson's performance, both their performances simply stand beyond other performances that it is hard to compare performances this good. They are both incredible in their depictions. I pick Scott's performance not because of any difference in quality, but I just love Scott's amazing characterization of Patton, that is flawless. I really can't say anything why he beats Nicholson, but I simply have to choose just one, I suppose if I was an actual voter I would have voted for Nicholson though, since Nicholson wanted win, Scott supposedly did not care. 

Best Actor 1970: James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope

James Earl Jones received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope.

The Great White Hope is the story of the first African American world boxing champion Jack Johnson except the names of the characters have been changed. The film despite having an interesting story as its basis is hampered down by the screenplay that did little to differentiate its self from its stage roots. 

Jack Johnson is certainly a difficult character to portray since in real life he always carried a larger than life manner to himself, and never strove away from being flamboyant about his skill as a boxer or his ability to anger white people. James Earl Jones at the beginning of the film tries to imitate this aspect of Johnson right down to his very distinct smile.

James Earl Jones actually does do a good job at this aspect of Johnson's character, and Jones has the right charisma and presence in these scenes. He surely is a little annoying, and very flamboyant but that does indeed reflect the way of the real Jack Johnson, and Jones does a very good job suggesting the whole way and manner of Johnson.

Now one of aspect of the film that is heavily focused on is Jack's relationship with a white woman Eleanor (Jane Alexander). This is quite problematic for the film, because their relationship just does not work. I do not think that this is Jones' fault but rather Alexander's who is downright dull and uninteresting. She does nothing to add to the depiction of the relationship, and I although Jones tries to show a genuine relationship Alexander makes any effort on his part entirely wasted.

Jack's boxing wins and relationship with Eleanor gets him into trouble with the authorities, causing him to have to go to Europe, and subside off things like arm wrestling, and putting on a deamining show of Uncle Tom's cabin. Jones is good in showing the slow degradation of the spirits of Jack as he is forced to lower and lower things, eventually being given an offer to throw a fight against a white opponent. Jones is effective in showing his bitterness building up, and slowly losing his his trademark smile that he once had.

Jones's is effective in the role I think, despite the film holding a lot against him. Alexander makes it so the pivotal relationship amounts to nothing, and frankly many of the scenes could have allowed a more interesting performance if it was not so exceedingly stagy. Overall though his performance I think is good, but I think it could have been better with a better co-star and in a better film about the same subject.

Best Actor 1970

And the Nominees Were:

Melvyn Douglas in I Never Sang for My Father

Ryan O'Neal in Love Story

George C. Scott in Patton

Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces

James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope