10 Best Performances In War Movies

10. Robin Williams - Good Morning, Vietnam

Robin Williams’ first truly critically lauded performance was a role perfectly suited for him. Adrian Cronauer, a real life armed forces DJ and writer of Good Morning, Vietnam, is energy personified, a fast talker and an inveterate show off, but with a great deal of heart, too. No one but Williams could have done the job so well.

The comedian’s motormouth schtick can be grating, but he’s utilised perfectly here. It doesn’t feel like Williams trying to shoehorn in his nonsense, it’s entirely fitting with the character. Cronauer is the court jester, the one man able to tell the truth amid the confusion and chaos of the Vietnam war.

A first Oscar nomination for Williams crowned this coming out party for the former sitcom star and stand up. His career was a stellar one, but it’s likely there was never a role so well suited for his talent and persona, especially impressive given the part was based on a real person.