When people think of the "great" movie performances, they tend to think of those that embody the fabric of an entire film: the kind of performances that Daniel Day-Lewis likes to give out in every single motion picture he agrees to be a part of. And although Daniel Day-Lewis is obviously akin to something of a living legend (three Best Actors Oscars testify to that), "big" doesn't always mean "better." Sometimes less really can be more. Which brings us to the thinking behind this article. Just because a performance takes up 5 minutes or less of screentime doesn't mean it's any less impressive - in fact, we've assembled 17 such performances here that, despite their length, made a huge impact and lodged themselves in our memory banks. We're not saying that any of these performances deserve Oscar glory or anything, simply that they're worthy of praise. So let's get to it: here are 17 unforgettable movie characters who only appeared on screen for - roughly - 5 minutes or less. Got any to add? Let us know your favourite 5 minute characters in the comments section below.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
