American movies have a long history casting foreigners as the bad guys. Usually the choice of foreigner has to do with the politics of the time. For example, we saw a lot of evil Russians during the Cold War. The British, however, are unique in that no matter what the time period, there's always room for one more bad guy.
Just what makes the British Hollywood's go-to group for villainy? Some claim Americans find the the British accent evil. Others insist that British accents sound sophisticated ? perfect for a super smart evil character. If you ask me for my theory, though, I'd say we're still mad that the UK used America as a dumping ground for all of its religious crackpots and criminals way back when.
Whatever the reason that Americans love to see British villains, here is a list of some of the more memorable ones from recent times:
9. The Patriot
This film should win some kind of prize for presenting the most stereotypically evil, over the top British bad guy. It's hard to think of a film with a more despicable British villain than this one, with Jason Isaacs as the ruthless and violent Colonel William Tavington. In nearly every scene he is setting something on fire, killing people he shouldn't, or, you know, smacking puppies, stepping on babies and generally being nasty. Also, did anyone else find it ironic that a movie about the American Revolution casts the manliest, most patriotic characters ? Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) and his son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) ? with AUSSIE actors? What does that say about American men exactly?
8. Labyrinth
Jareth the Goblin King, played by David Bowie, is particularly evil in this film. He has some considerably twisted issues when it comes to relationships ? I'm sure he could have found a better way to tell Sarah he had a crush on her than stealing her brother Toby and then making her hunt for him in Jareth's labyrinth. Seriously, what would have been so wrong with saying "I like you" instead? However, even though Jareth isn't very nice I think most women would agree that if you had to be tortured by an evil British villain, Jareth would be a top pick.
7. Constantine
Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) is supposed to be an angel, but acts a lot more like a devil in this film. Gabriel earns a spot on the list of evil Brits for going against God's wishes and trying to help release Hell on earth. How rude!
6. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
How can this one make the list, you say? Everyone in the movie is supposed to be British, so there's no discernible accent difference for villain vs. hero. I would agree, except practically all the main characters are evil! You can take your pick of English and unredeemably wicked from among Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), Mrs. Lovetts (Helena Bonham Carter), con artist Pirelli (Sacha Baron Cohen), or Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman).
5. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Everyone is English in this one, right? Wrong. Kevin Costner, in the tradition of Americans playing Robin Hood (think back to Errol Flynn), decides Robin Hood would be best played with a flat midwestern American accent. Gee, Costner, I bet that was a real stretch for you. Thus the story is about a heroic American guy (who somehow ended up in England) versus the exceedingly vicious Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), who is truly evil because he has a real British accent (instead of a crap imitation one).
4. Bedazzled
Elizabeth Hurley is Satan. This is one of the few instances where a Brit is cast as an evildoer and it doesn't work out so well. Hurley seems too reserved and, well, British to be a properly nasty Satan. In fact, she is perhaps the world's politest Satan. But she is still supposed to be a demon, so Bedazzled makes the list. Hey, I didn't say this was a list of all GOOD movies with evil Brits.
3. The Silence of the Lambs
Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) speaks with a soft, slight accent that many Americans hear as vaguely European or, more particularly, British. Dr. Lector is high on the list, since he is one of the most memorably depraved villains in American cinema. Practically everyone knows the line "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." While I won't question his liver / fava beans combination since I don't know much about that, I do question Dr. Lecter's use of the phrase "nice chianti." That's like saying "I went for a drive in my nice Ford Pinto." Please get some taste, Hannibal.
2. The Lion King
Jeremy Irons does not disappoint as the diabolical, traitorous lion known as Scar. My one problem with the film is that everyone in it seems so surprised to find out Scar is evil enough to murder, scheme and lie in order to take over the kingdom from his brother, Mufasa. Didn't anyone hear his accent?! It was a dead giveaway!
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
If you're going to have a list of movies containing evil villains from other countries, this one definitely tops it. Lucas, marketing genius that he is, covers all his bases and gives American audiences evil Russians, Nazis, AND an evil British guy, the duplicitous George "Mac" McHale (Ray Winstone). McHale's biggest issue as a villain? A lot of difficulty with telling the truth.
