MCM: Russell Crowe

Australian actor Russell Crowe is known for his “Muscle Crowe” image thanks to films like Gladiator (2000), but he’s been in a ton of other period films where he’s played everything from soldiers to literal gods. I’ll watch pretty much anything he’s in.

Blood Oath (1990)

Russell Crowe’s debut in a film about prosecuting war crimes in the Lahar Massacre.

Brides of Christ (1991)

An Australian miniseries about group of nuns in the 1960s. Crowe, obvs, is not a nun.

Hammers Over the Anvil (1993)

Set in the early 1900s in Australia, though this dress looks very 1990s bridesmaid. The fabulous Charlotte Rampling is also in this, and plays Crowe’s romantic interest (ooo young man/older woman!).

For the Moment (1993)

A film about the Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War II, and set in Canada. It’s very “love under duress” from what I can tell from the description.

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

I think this was probably the first film that broke Russell Crowe into the U.S. portion of the film market; at least, it’s the first film I remember seeing him. Cowboy vehicle for Sharon Stone, directed by Sam Rami, with a star-studded supporting cast. Crowe plays a reformed gunslinger who is called back into action by the arrival of Stone’s outlaw character, “The Lady.”

Rough Magic (1995)

I haven’t been able to find any synopsis of this film that gives more than just a basic description, even though it stars Bridget Fonda. It’s set in the 1960s, based on the images.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

If you were conscious in the ’90s and you somehow missed Crowe in *The Quick and the Dead*, then you definitely didn’t miss him in *L.A. Confidential*. This film was a MASSIVE hit when it came out. Based on a true story of corruption in the LAPD in the early 1950s. Crowe plays Bud, a violent and volatile officer and counterpart to the equally awful Ed, played by fellow Aussie Guy Pearce. Everybody sucks in this film, but damn, is it good.

The Insider (1999)

Ok, this film falls far on the wrong side of our 1969 cut-off date, but I wanted to include it because it was something of a milestone film for Russell Crowe when it was released (a lot of fuss was made about the fact that Crowe put on 30 lbs. to play the middle-aged main character). Based on the true story of tobacco industry whistleblower Dr. Jeffery Wiggand and is set in the mid-1990s.

Gladiator (2000)

One day I will do a full post about this film, once I can swallow my outrage at the costuming enough to form complete sentences. It’s been 25 years, and I still develop an eye twitch when I think about it. Also, unless you were living under a rock for the last quarter of a century, you probably already know that Crowe plays the eponymous Gladiator. It’s yet another 1990s historical flick that is virtually indistinguishable from its brethren, such as *Braveheart* and *The Patriot*, except it was directed by Ridley Scott so apparently that makes it a little better or something.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Based on the life of mathematician John Nash, who for some reason became a huge cultural icon in the early 2000s when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on game theory, and because of the whole tortured genius thing (Nash suffered from schizophrenia). The film covers Nash’s life from the late-1940s to the mid-1990s and his turbulent relationship with, well, everyone including himself.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

This is one of those films that all of my guy friends love (if you want to provoke an argument, ask them which is the better film, this one, *Tombstone*, or *Kingdom of Heaven*). Ironically, I also love it too (and the other two films mentioned).

Cinderella Man (2005)

Crowe teamed up again with Ron Howard after filming *A Beautiful Mind* to make this film about James J. Braddock, an Irish-American boxer who has a incredible comeback after suffering from a career-ending injury. Set in 1935.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Crowe plays antihero outlaw Wade who enters the life Evans (played by Christian Bale) and proceeds to wreak havoc. This film was another hugely critically acclaimed hit for both Crowe and Bale.

American Gangster (2007)

We are starting to get into my favorite era of Russell Crowe’s work … Dad Bod Crowe. Like a lot of hunky actors, once they start to age they get more interesting roles as their waistlines expand, and they become much more interesting to me. This is also Crowe’s second film with Ridley Scott, after *Gladiator*. Set in the late-1960s to mid-1970s, the film covers the events surrounding the capture of drug lord Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington) by Detective Richie Roberts (played by Crowe).

Robin Hood (2010)

I have avoided watching this one, even though it supposedly not that bad … I just don’t need another ridiculous remake of Robin Hood, especially one by Ridley Scott.

The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

Set in “19th century” China, directed by rapper RZA who also stars in the film, I’ve got a lot of questions about this whole thing. However, the photos I’ve seen so far look pretty good, even if everyone says it’s kind of mid. Crowe plays Jack Knife, a drug-addicted British soldier under the employ of the Emperor and becomes an unlikely ally to RZA’s character, The Blacksmith.

Les Misérables (2012)

A major hit for Crowe, and everyone else involved in the film version of the musical by Schönberg, Boublil, and Jean-Marc Natel. Crowe plays Javert, the villain of the story.

Winter’s Tale (2014)

A supernatural film set in the early-20th century. Crowe plays the demon Pearly Soames who wants to retaliate against the protagonist, Peter Lake (played by Colin Farrell) for leaving his gang. The movie bombed hard at the box office, but the costumes look good.

Noah (2014)

Can I just skip this one? I hate these biblical films so much and yet every popular actor seems contractually obligated to be in at least one during their career. Must make them huge amounts of money, or something, but they’re so tedious.

The Water Diviner (2014)

Crowe’s directoral debut. The film centers on Joshua Connor, an Australian water diviner who goes on an adventure to return the bodies of his three sons after they are presumably killed during World War I.

The Nice Guys (2016)

I LOVE THIS FILM SO MUCH. It’s one of those films that has no right to be as good as it is, and it ended up losing out in the box office to, I shit you not, *The Angry Birds* film. It got buried under the heap of streaming options where it has sat, patiently waiting for the appreciation to come forth out of Ryan Gosling’s show stealing turn as Ken in the *Barbie m*ovie as people start going through his back catalog. Just … do yourself a favor and watch *The Nice Guys*. There’s some of the best physical comedy I’ve ever seen in this flick, and I cannot rave enough about it. Oh, right, why is it on this list? It’s set in the late-’70s, and I love Russell Crowe’s blue leather jacket so much I need it in my life (on my boyfriend, who seriously looks like he could be Crowe’s brother in this film).

The True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)

A film about Australian folk hero/outlaw/bushranger Ned Kelly and, well, his gang. And despite the fact that it’s called the “true history,” it’s mostly fictionalized. Crowe plays Harry Power, a bushranger and mentor to the young Ned Kelly (played by George McKay).

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Ok, I admit it’s a bit of a stretch to include this role in this list, but whatever. I love you Dad Bod Crowe, and your still-godly forearms.

Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022)

A film about the so-called “birth of boxing,” in the 18th century. Crowe plays Jack Slack, the grandfather and mentor to Jem Belcher, future legendary pugilist.

Dad Bod Crowe? No? Just me? Ok, fine, tell me which Crowe you like better in the comments.

More Frock Flicks

22 thoughts on “MCM: Russell Crowe”

HeatherR says:

May 6, 2024 at 7:22 am

It’s hard to pick a favorite! LA Confidential (sexy bad boy), Master and Commander (my dads fav too) Gladiator (sensitive and tough) and Les Miserables (he sings!) in that order. But I have not seen all these Russell Crowe films.

My real favorite is a not a FF but a rom com called “A Good Year”. He shows his funny side, set in the beautiful French countryside. The film includes an amazing supporting cast and a witty script. I can watch it over and over!

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1. ED says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 3:36 am
  
  A GOOD YEAR FAN? I knew there had to be more than one of us! (I’m not confident there are more than ten of us, mind, but I’m glad to know we need more than one hand to keep track of our numbers). (-;
  
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  1. Heather says:
    
    May 7, 2024 at 7:19 am
    
    Hazzah! I can watch it over and over…
    
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MsNomi. says:

May 6, 2024 at 7:53 am

I do love Master and Commander and Gladiator, but, like HeatherR, my favorite is a non-FF from 1994 called The Sum of Us.

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Jessica says:

May 6, 2024 at 8:59 am

Russell Crowe looks like he’s channeling Robert Baratheon demanding the breast plate stretcher in “Thor: Love and Thunder”

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Joanne says:

May 6, 2024 at 10:17 am

Gladiator is one of those movies where when I’m flipping channels, I’m incapable of flipping past it. I also love Master and Commander.

But my favorite of Russel Crowe’s is, as Heather said, A Good Year. It has an amazing supporting cast including Albert Finney. Scorpion – LAVANDE!

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Diane says:

May 6, 2024 at 12:43 pm

I too love The Nice Guys. Happy sigh!

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1. ED says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 3:38 am
  
  Anyone who doesn’t love THE NICE GUYS hasn’t seen it (I’m honestly shocked to learn it didn’t do well at the Box Office – it’s the Best!).
  
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2. Mary says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 9:56 pm
  
  Agree! I don’t get why it’s so underrated, it’s amazing
  
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Gretchen says:

May 6, 2024 at 1:36 pm

I love Gladiator as a sword and sandals film. It isn’t great but it’s plenty good, except for the scenes with Commodus which I just ignore. It absolutely surpasses the trashiness of The Patriot and Braveheart in every way. I like Crowe in everything but my all around fave, one of my favorite movies ever, is Master & Commander.

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Mist says:

May 6, 2024 at 3:02 pm

LA Confidential is one of my fave movies of all time (despite one of its actors) But I will admit, having read the book, I will never understand how the book became that movie….
& Crowe is amazing in it, along with everyone else.

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SarahV says:

May 6, 2024 at 4:02 pm

I loved, loved, LOVED Brides of Christ when I saw it back in the day (A&E?). It’s suprisingly nuanced. I remember a puckish male lay teacher who had some oddly respectful/flirtatious relationship with the respectable, progressive-minded Mother Superior (this was set around Vatican II) but for the life of me, I cannot remember if he wasplaying that character.

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Kirinleaf says:

May 6, 2024 at 4:41 pm

SarahV, that teacher was played by Phillip Quast (who actually does look not unlike Russell Crowe), and who is also one of the great stage Javerts :) Russell Crowe was the young man who gets called up to go to Vietnam. You can probably tell, I too loved Brides of Christ!

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1. SarahV says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 5:16 pm
  
  Thank you!
  
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Suzanne Wiltz says:

May 6, 2024 at 6:24 pm

Wow! Despite the fact that I have seen many of the movies on this list (11 in total), I’ve never really thought of Russell Crowe as a Frock Flick actor. He’s just so good in EVERYTHING; it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. Overall, I’ll go with the typical choice, Gladiator. My favorite from his “Dad Bod era” (your words) is The Nice Guys. In addition to liking Russell Crowe in anything; I also like anything by the writer of The Nice Guy’s screenplay, Shane Black. I found Noah to be funny, even though that wasn’t the vibe they were going for. A Winter’s Tale was very, very sweet, and the film made me want to read the book. Even if you’re not into Robin Hood stories, Oscar Isaac naked and as Prince John alone is worth the price of admission. American Gangster had a glut of fine men–Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, and Idris Elba. Plus, it was just a very good movie. The first time I (an American) saw Crowe, was in the non-Frock Flick Virtuosity, his first movie with Denzel Washington. Oh, I think at least one movie (and perhaps another is missing from this list): The Greatest Beer Run Ever and perhaps The Silver Brumby (imagine the pic above from The Water Diviner but Crowe is 30 years younger). The Silver Brumby is based a book that was published in the late 50s, but from what I remember I think the movie has a timeless aesthetic. And to everyone who showed love for the non-Frock Flick A Good Year, I wholeheartedly agree with your praise! GREAT MCM choice!

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Marty says:

May 6, 2024 at 8:38 pm

Russell Crowe had a small role in 1991’s Anthony Hopkins film “The Efficiency Expert” set in Australia in the mid-1960’s. He was cute. The film also had early appearances of Toni Collette and Ben Mendelsohn.

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1. HeatherR says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 7:25 am
  
  Oh, that sounds interesting!
  
  Reply
Kat says:

May 7, 2024 at 11:30 am

Fun fact, Cinderella Man was one of the last (or the last) films to shoot at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, before it was turned into Mattamy Athletic Centre slash a grocery store. Thank you for reminding me I need to rewatch The Nice Guys again soon though.

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Cindelyn Gray Eberts says:

May 7, 2024 at 5:09 pm

My problem with this whole post is that the author doesn’t know anything about Russell Crowe’s career and she hasn’t watched all the movies she chose. Excuse me, but this whole post is meadow muffins, road apples, or in common parlance, total b.s. If you REALLY want to comment on someone’s career, watch all their movies, darlin’. Don’t diss what you haven’t bothered to watch snarky bitch.

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Martina says:

May 7, 2024 at 6:17 pm

I watched the Water Diviner on a plane and sobbed in public. It’s just so sad when the sons die.
Russell Crowe can do no wrong.

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Marty says:

May 7, 2024 at 8:08 pm

He was actually born in New Zealand, but grew up in Australia.

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Charity says:

May 11, 2024 at 12:04 pm

This man’s sexy voice does things for/to me. He was amazingly hot in Gladiator. <3

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