Having a silent protagonist is a tough challenge.
It means that filmmakers must rely on visual cues, gestures, and expressions to convey meaning and characterization.
This is a tricky feat to pull off, but a few movies nevertheless do it well.
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Their protagonists don’t speak, yet the audience still gets a clear sense of their personality.
Whether through stoic resilience or quiet contemplation, these silent heroes leave a lasting impression.
From arthouse cinema to historical dramas,they prove that words are sometimes unnecessary.
More than revenge."
Danish legendsMads MikkelsenandNicolas Winding Refnteamed up for thisbrutal historical adventure movie.
The former is One Eye, a mute Norse warrior with a fearsome reputation.
From this simple premise,Valhalla Risingexpands into a visceral, sharp statement on faith and survival.
It’s violent as hell but also visually beautiful, boasting Refn’s trademark meticulously composed shots.
In particular, his minimalist approach emphasizes the stark landscapes.
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It’s a treat just to look at the forests, crags, and threatening gray skies.
It keeps ratcheting up the madness as it rolls along, culminating in a wild finale.
For all these reasons,Crime Wavehas becomea beloved cult movie.
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8Monsieur Hulot
‘Trafic’ (1971)
“Where are you going, Mr. Hulot?
“Traficis one of thedefining films by French clown Jacques Tati, a master of physical comedy.
It was the swan song for Tati’s beloved Monsieur Hulot character, who had charmed audiences withMon OncleandPlaytime.
Here, Hulot is trying to deliver a prototype camping car to an auto show in Amsterdam.
The movie is a whirlwind of choreographed sight gags and understated humor.
Hulot stumbles his way through this mechanized, dehumanized landscape, clearly yearning for the simpler good old days.
Its a forest.”
It’s gritty too; plot-wise, moral ambiguity and human suffering are the order of the day.
“Au Hasard Balthazaris a simple yetdeeply spiritual movie by Robert Bresson, the director behindPickpocketandA Man Escaped.
4Silence
‘The Great Silence’ (1968)
“He avenges our wrongs.
And the bounty killers sure do tremble when he appears.
“The Great Silenceis a bleak, subversive Western fromSergio Corbucci, perhaps most famous for directing the originalDjango.
The resulting film is a revisionist affair charged with allegory and political undercurrents.
In particular, Corbucci takes shots at corrupt capitalists and untrustworthy authorities.
Consequently,The Great Silenceis one of the director’s strongest and most audacious works.
Western fans should give it a try; many will also enjoy spotting its influence onThe Hateful Eight.
United by their similar situations, the two develop an intimate bond - without exchanging a single word.
The storytelling is light-touch, almost ghostly, and open to endless interpretation.
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The silent protagonist is a key part of this.
Most movies have too much dialogue; I don’t think words make everything understandable.”
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2The Thief
‘The Holy Mountain’ (1973)
“Prisoners!
The movie is a kaleidoscopic fever dream of religious iconography and acid-fueled fantasy.
Here, Jodorowsky’s vision is gloriously deranged, a mishmash of countercultural ideas gone awry.
In this regard,The Holy Mountainvery much feels like an artifact from the psychedelic era.
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1George Valentin
‘The Artist’ (2011)
“I won’t talk!
I won’t say a word!”
The Artistplays well with theconventions of silent film, using title cards for humor, drama, and misdirection.
Maybe its Oscar success has led someone to consider it overrated.
NEXT:The Most Overlooked James Bond Movies, Ranked
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