Harrison Ford‘s career has spanned from the late sixties, starting with TV shows such as The Mod Squad and Ironside, to present day. He is often associated with the 1970s and 1980s because of his collaborations with George Lucas on American Graffiti and Star Wars and his work with Steven Spielberg in the Indian Jones series. But, perhaps his most prolific decade was the 1990s. Here are some of the more memorable movies from that decade:
The Fugitive (1993)
In this movie reboot of the 1960s TV series, Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder, sending him on the run in search of a one-armed man. The movie is a thrilling chase film, and Ford delivers one of his most memorable performances. The Fugitive was a massive box office success, received critical acclaim, earned several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and earned Tommy Lee Jones a Best Supporting Actor win. It’s often regarded as one of the best action-thrillers of the 90s and is a mainstay on many cable channels.
Hear Jay Betsill and me review “The Fugitive” as part of our “Summer of ’93” podcast from the “We’ve Seen That!” series by clicking play below,
Clear and Present Danger (1994)
In this political thriller, Ford reprises his role as Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. The film focuses on a covert war on drug cartels. Clear and Present Danger solidified Ford’s portrayal of Jack Ryan, which was both a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its intelligent plot and strong performances.
Air Force One (1997)
Ford plays U.S. President James Marshall in this action-packed thriller where terrorists hijack Air Force One. This movie was a massive hit and became iconic for Ford’s portrayal of an authoritarian, hands-on president, with the famous line, “Get off my plane!” becoming a cultural catchphrase.
Patriot Games (1992)
This was the first time Ford took on the role of Jack Ryan in this political action thriller about IRA terrorism. While not as acclaimed as its sequel, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games was still a strong entry and helped define the political thriller genre in the 1990s.
Presumed Innocent (1990)
Ford played a prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague in a tense, Hitchcock-esque legal thriller based oj the best-selling novel by Scott Turow. Critics appreciated the film’s suspenseful storytelling and Ford’s nuanced performance, making it a solid start to the decade for him.
Sabrina (1995)
Ford took on this romantic comedy-drama (a rarity for him), a remake of the 1954 Humphry Bogart classic. He played a business tycoon who falls for his chauffeur’s daughter. Although not as successful as Ford’s other 90s films, Sabrina showcased his versatility in a more romantic role, though it didn’t reach the same critical or commercial heights.
The Devil’s Own (1997)
Ford co-starred with Brad Pitt in this political drama about an IRA gunman and an American cop. Despite the star power, the film was met with mixed reviews and didn’t achieve the same level of success as Ford’s other 90s outings, mainly due to its troubled production and uneven tone. However, it is still an entertaining movie with a well-thought-out plot.
Six Days, Seven Nights (1998)
Six Days, Seven Nights was the second time Ford took on a romantic lead. He played a gruff pilot stranded on a deserted island with a magazine editor. The film was lighter and more comedic but didn’t perform as well critically or commercially compared to Ford’s other films of the decade.
Regarding Henry (1991)
Ford plays a ruthless lawyer who suffers a brain injury and must rebuild his life and relationships. Although Ford delivered an Academy Award-worthy performance, the film received mixed reviews and didn’t resonate as strongly as his other ’90s work. Perhaps no one wanted to see Han Solo/Indiana Jones in that kind of vulnerable position.
As you can see, Harrison Ford was very busy in the 1990s, and these movies helped cement his status as a movie icon.
