I’ll third The Sweet Hereafter as maybe being his best performance. He’s the lead in it, which is somewhat atypical both for him and for an elderly actor. He’s also great in another lowkey indie called Joe Gould’s Secret (directed by and starring Stanley Tucci) from the same era.
He was in many films I remember well, with iconic performances in several but I think all things considered his turn as Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire is my favorite. The scene in the bar where’s he’s not allowed to actually be at the Olympics but he watches the UK flag being raised is one that is burned into my memory, as is the later scene in that same bar where Ben Cross is sitting stunned after winning the Gold Medal.
His career, it’s amazing: great performances in Alien, Time Bandits, Henry V, Lord of the Rings, and I haven’t even seen several of the others folks here have mentioned.
If you haven’t seen The Big Night, it’s a gorgeous small film. Stanley Tucci, Tony Shaloub, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney. Louis Prima music. And food! What more could you ask for?
By coincidence I watched Ratatouille with my daughter today, in which Ian Holm gives a great villain performance as the spiteful head chef. Reminiscent of that Napoleon performance!
Its funny because I remember him the most for his reading of the LOTR series. My kids were young and they listened to it. I thought it was so spot on when he played Bilbo in the movie.
Do you mean the BBC 12hr radio version where he voices Frodo?
That was my first introduction to him and only MUCH later (I think while watching 5th Element), realized WHY his voice was so familiar.
I think I’ve listened to that series at least a dozen times, so for me he’ll always be Frodo and why it was so special to see him play Bilbo in the movie version.
Which is on Prime, btw. I skipped through to my favorite scenes, since I’ve probably seen it a couple dozen times (I’d say it’s pretty close to my favorite movie).
That scene where Secondo says “You are nothing” and Holm gets very still and gives the line: “I’m a businessman. I’m anything I need to be at any time. Tell me, what exactly are you?” with a tiny ironic smile…mwah chef’s kiss.