1. Derek Bentley - Let Him Have It (1991)
Christopher Eccleston's first filmic role still might be his best: that's not to say that he hasn't done better since, but that everything that is great about this actor seems is on show in 1991's Let Him Have It, a movie based on the true story of the case against Derek Bentley, a teenager who was hanged in 1953 for the murder of a police officer during a burglary. Interestingly, Bentley did not commit murder himself, but rather instructed his accomplice, Christopher Craig, to do so. Because Craig was still a minor, he was not hung. This dramatic ground would have provided great opportunities for any budding actor, but Eccleston nails it and proves that he was the right man for the job from the very first frame. Eccleston portrays Bentley in a simple, child-like way, and his performance is deep and ripe with emotion, allowing the complicated, morality-based issues inherent to the plot to come to the surface with ease: as a result, Let Him Have It remains one of the best ever movies to deal with the subject of capital punishment. And thanks to Eccleston, you won't forget it in a hurry - if ever.