WordPress is filled with fantastic blogathons, especially in film. So when asked by the very fab Anna at Film Grimoire to participate in such an original idea I had to join in. Especially as it highlights the many great roles and performances by women in films of all genres and eras.
Dell on Movies runs a very cool site which I’ve only just discovered, and he came up with the idea and defined the rules of the game.
A list of 10 iconic female movie characters has been made. That list will be assigned to another blogger who can then change it by removing one character (describing why they think she should not be on the list) and replacing it with another one (also with motivation) and hand over the baton to another blogger. Once assigned, that blogger will have to put his/her post up within a week. If this is not the case the blogger who assigned it has to reassign it to another blogger.
Anna decided to remove Sarah Conner from the list and replace it with Rosemary Woodhouse from Rosemary’s Baby. A very worthy entry. Anna did such a great job with the pictures, I’ve decided to keep them and adopt the same theme for mine.
And so now I have to drop one. Taking one off from the list is more than difficult. Each has great reasons for being on there and has had a significant cultural impact. After flicking through the list I reluctantly decided I had to drop Holly. It’s not easy dropping such a memorable character by such an iconic actress. However, I have more of a soft spot for Audrey Hepburn’s astonishing breakthrough role in Roman Holiday, where her aura just shines right through the screen in the romantic classic.
I also wanted to take the list in a more devious, and more complex, direction. Someone that the viewer hates, but is astonished by how much influence they wield on those around them. And though many came to mind, it had to be Nurse Ratched from One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Ratched is not just a character but a metaphor and a symbol of an abuse of trust. Cold, manipulative and unyielding, Ratched is a bully who will will find a way not just to beat you but break you. She just has to be on the list.
Next up. Cara from Caragale, who I know will do a great job. Here’s the list of those who have taken part so far: The Top 10 Most Iconic Movie Character Blogathon
Alex Raphael 
Oh, I love the idea of adding Ratched!
Thanks. I thought of a few, but Ratched is just such a powerful character that I had to include her.
I love this list 🙂 Nurse Ratched represents an important part of women, the dark underside of the female psyche. She belongs in the company of so many others, like Mrs Thrunchbull from “Matilda,” Annie Wilkes from “Misery”, and my all time favourite female character, Lady Macbeth.
Excellent choices. Lady Macbeth is my favourite Shakespearian female. Have you seen The Manchurian Candidate from 1962? Angela Lansbury as the ruthlessly calculating mother was my second choice.
Great list and addition. Yes, to Angela Lansbury’s character in The Manchurian Candidate. Surprised no one selected any role played by Meryl Streep. Ironic she’s the most iconic actress out there but not one iconic role that has stood the test of time. Playing Margaret Thatcher would be a good start. OR, I would have added Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth. Fun 🙂
And Lansbury plays the complete opposite sweet old lady in Murder She Wrote! What a star. Great choices. You raise a great point with Streep. I’m sure you’ll get nominated soon. Would really like to see more of your thought process. If you do have time, you are more than welcome to write for my Foreign Favourites Series https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/guest-series-foreign-favourites/
Sure! Just read the rules. What’s your position on posting the review on my own blog? There are a few which come to mind that I’d be more than happy to review. German: Nowhere in Africa, RosenstraBe, The Lives of Others, Downfall, The White Ribbon. Irish: The Magdalene Sisters
French: Jules and Jim….which one would you like?
The Lives of Others has been done in the series already, but the others all sound great. I’m curious what you’d write for Downfall but honestly, if you want to choose one of the others or even one you haven’t thought of yet, that’s great too. Sure you can quote it on your site too. My email is http://www.alizarinfalls@gmail.com for when you are ready.
I’m very glad to see Nurse Ratched make a return to the list. She is the quintessential female villain. Great call. Thanks for keeping the relay going!
Thanks. It is a brilliant idea. Well done for thinking it up. I’ve subscribed to your site 🙂
Thank you so much. We’re even (following yours by email). I hope this means you’ll participate in my Back to School blogathon…
http://dellonmovies.blogspot.com/2014/08/back-to-school-blogathon.html
What a very original idea. I’ll have a think. My blogging anniversary is tomorrow but I’ll get on it soon.
Oddly, Alex, I think Nurse Ratched was on this list previously. I believe Ruth removed her . . .
I would have kept Holly and probably dropped Catherine (I’m not even sure what movie she’s from), but putting Nurse Ratched on the list is definitely worthwhile. She’s pretty darn iconic.
Catherine was my addition, she’s from JULES AND JIM. I’m afraid she probably won’t last long.
Alex, you should link to Cara’s site. I assume it’s this? http://caragaleblog.wordpress.com/
She is on blogroll and I was going to put the link up when she had finished the task, but no worries. Happy to do it now.
It’s all about personal opinions so in theory pretty much anyone can go. Besides, it’s probably inspired people to see it 🙂
Got it. Thanks!
And she might not, but that’s half the fun of this, isn’t it? 🙂
I doubt she could be more iconic than some of the other names mentioned, or characters like Norma Desmond, Margo Channing or Alex Forrest, but I didn’t feel comfortable getting rid of a character from a film I’ve not seen. It’s all opinions anyhow really. I would be very interested to know Ruth’s reasoning though.
Great list! 🙂
Thanks. The series was a great idea by Dell on Movies and was tough to make space for Nurse Ratched.
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Oh how cool! Gees, how am I gonna top some of these awesome ladies?! Lol. Thanks, Alex! I’m going to address this later this week! Also, I may be sending you an email about this…lol. Nice choice with Nurse Ratched! I must admit that I’ve never seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but she’s been referenced and spoofed so much that I immediately knew who you were talking about. If that isn’t iconic, I don’t know what is. 😉
It also helped inspire one of my favourite Simpsons episodes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stark_Raving_Dad
And so many great lines. My favourite.
Patient: There’s only one way out of here and it ain’t pretty
Nurse: What’s that?
Patient: Dating a nurse.
I love love love Holly but I can see why you’d pick Ratched. She’s quite something.
Thanks. Taking Holly off was tough, but Ratched really had to be in there. What a film, what a role and what a performance.
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Really glad Nurse Ratched made it back on the list! Awesome pick.
Thanks. Was surprised to see she had been taken off. Is there any film outfit more iconic this century than The Bride’s?
Great list here Alex! I am busy preparing my boot and change choice! Not easy!
PS: Could you tell me what font you used here?
Look out for an email 🙂
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