Michael Caineis an undoubtedly celebrated, acclaimed, and popular actor, with his longevity and versatility as a film actor being particularly admirable. He first found success in both leading and supporting roles as far back as the 1960s, and worked steadily across all sorts of genres over the next 60-ish years, finallyannouncing a well-deserved retirement in 2023, at the age of 90.
Across those numerous decades, Michael Caine’s amassed a high number of very well-known roles, both at the start of his career (likeAlfieandThe Italian Job) and toward the end of it (likeChildren of Menand playing Alfred inThe Dark Knighttrilogy). On the opposite side of things,there have also been plenty of Michael Caine movies that have gone under the radar, or been somewhat lost to time. The following can count themselves in these categories, standing as underrated/lesser-seen films that fans of the legendary English actor ought to check out, if they haven’t already.
10’Hurry Sundown' (1967)
Director: Otto Preminger
Though it feels somewhat awkwardly torn betweenbeing a grounded dramaand a sprawling epic,Hurry Sundownnevertheless feels underrated on account of it having an amazing cast, yet also having fallen into relative obscurity. Said cast is led by Michael Caine, and also includes – but is not limited to – the likes ofJane Fonda,Faye Dunaway,John Phillip Law,Burgess Meredith, andGeorge Kennedy.
Narratively,Hurry Sundowntakes place shortly after the end of World War II, and involves various characters all getting wrapped up in a dispute over a large amount of valuable land in Georgia. It touches upon racial themes in a sometimes awkward way,and as a courtroom drama, it is lacking somewhat… but it’s well-presented throughout, and it’s worth watching for the acting talent involved.
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9’The Island' (1980)
Director: Michael Ritchie
LikeHurry Sundown,The Islandis a Michael Caine movie that also doesn’t seem to know entirely what it wants to be genre-wise, but it’s scattershot in a way that kind of works more than it frustrates. Essentially, it’sa very dark adventure/thriller/mystery moviethat involves a father and son encountering modern-day pirates, all of whom are cutthroat enough to ensureThe Islandfeels more like a horror film in its second half.
To say much more would feel unfair, becauseThe Islandis overlooked and has the most impact for anyone who goes into it without knowing much.Caine is good in the lead role, though admittedly, David Warner probably ends up stealing the majority of the scenes he appears in, being second-billed here as the character who leads the group of pirates driving much of the film’s conflict.
8’The Wrong Box' (1966)
Director: Bryan Forbes
A movie with a cast that alsoboasts the likes ofPeter SellersandDudley Moore,The Wrong Boxis one of the best Michael Caine movies made near the start of the actor’s career, and one of his more underrated ones overall. It’s a farcical sort of comedy with a plot that, broadly speaking, revolves around a family fortune that’s set to go to one of two elderly brothers: whoever survives the longest.
It’s the kind of set-up that’s tailor-made for dark comedy, and even if the humor inThe Wrong Boxis a little hit-and-miss, there are more than enough hits throughout to make it a fun and engaging watch.It’s a silly and old-fashioned sort of comedy movie, but works in showing a lighter side of Michael Caine, and is an early demonstration of his ability to shine in exceedingly goofy films.
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7’Secondhand Lions' (2003)
Director: Tim McCanlies
Looking at the relationship that forms between ayoung boy and his two oddball elderly uncles,Secondhand Lionsis an effective family/comedy movie that pairs Caine withRobert Duvall. It’s a joy to see two well-established (perhaps even legendary) actors on screen together as brothers, andHaley Joel Osment– starring here as their nephew – is also worthy of praise.
Secondhand Lions, likeThe Wrong Box, also revolves around a family fortune tied up to some of the family’s oldest members, with Osment’s character placed temporarily in the custody of his uncles by his mother, seemingly with the goal of getting them to pass on their fortune to him. Of course, he learns to appreciate his strange uncles as people, andthey do the same with him, makingSecondhand Lionsan overall simple yet endearing film.
Secondhand Lions
6’The Last Valley' (1971)
Director: James Clavell
A flawed yet very much under-appreciated historical epic,The Last Valleyis a film of great highs and, admittedly, a few lows.It has an ambitious scope and looks absolutely beautiful, all the while having an amazing orchestral score by John Barry. Accent aside, Michael Caine also makes an impression playing against type, andOmar Sharifis also very good.
However, the pacing ofThe Last Valleyis a bit sluggish, and it’s certainly a slow-burn kind of movie, showcasing the tension that develops between a peaceful, war-avoiding village and a group of soldiers within the same area. In its best moments,The Last Valleydoes succeed in feeling breathtaking and quite moving, and though it can’t quite call itself one ofthe very best epic movies of all time, it is probably one of the more underrated ones out there.
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5’Play Dirty' (1969)
Director: André de Toth
A thrilling war/adventure movie,Play Dirtyfeels unique as far as World War II movies go, largely due to its setting of North Africa as opposed to taking place in more recognizable WWII locales like Europe or the Pacific. Like another1960s war movie with “Dirty” in the title,Play Dirtygenerates most of its excitement from the fact that it centers on a particularly dangerous mission undertaken by a group of somewhat shady characters.
Most war movies contain their fair share of bleak moments, butPlay Dirtyis particularly grim and detached, especially considering its age. It might well have been too dark to ever take off and achieve widespread popularity, but those looking for some Michael Caine deep cuts ought to check it out, because he’s great here in the lead role, and the film as a whole is also very strong/striking.
4’Funeral in Berlin' (1966)
Director: Guy Hamilton
One of the first big leading roles for Michael Cainecame in 1965, withThe Ipcress File. In contrast to someone like007, the protagonist in the movie, Harry Palmer, found himself wrapped up in more grounded and less explosive espionage-related stories.The Ipcress Filemarked the first time Caine played Palmer, but it was a role he returned to surprisingly often; four more times, to be exact.
Of those sequels toThe Ipcress File, the best is probablyFuneral in Berlin, which was released one year after its predecessor. It’s a very direct spy movie, and the kind that probably won’t surprise too many people (especially anyone familiar with the genre)…but it gives Caine another opportunity to shine in one of his best early roles, and at least contains enough style and narrative intrigue to be a more than solid viewing experience.
3’Gambit' (1966)
Director: Ronald Neame
Michael Caine starred inmany great crime moviesthroughout his career, withGambitbeing one of them. It starts out as a heist movie, with Caine playing a skilled thief who joins forces with a showgirl played byShirley MacLaineto pull off a big score… only for things to take something of a turn surprisingly early on, with the shake-up working inGambit’sfavor overall.
There are plenty of twisty movies that are decades old where the once iconic twists don’t really hold up, either because they’ve been spoiled by pop culture or just don’t have the same weight in the modern-day.YetGambitsomehow has the capacity to be genuinely surprising so long after its release, with that plus the fact it’s not particularly well-known or widely-discussed making it an ideal watch for anyone who wants to see an effectively subversive take on the heist genre.
Watch on Criterion
2’Battle of Britain' (1969)
Battle of Britainis admittedly a little more well-known than some of the aforementioned movies, being a large-scale World War II movie that likely has mass appeal (even if it didn’t do thunderously well upon release). Still, it doesn’t quite get the love or attention it perhaps deserves, becauseas far as war movies go, few manage to feel quite as authentic and grounded.
It’s got an epic scope and benefits from what looks like a high budget, as well as access to actual equipment/vehicles that were used in World War II, a conflict that had only ended 24 years before the film’s release.The titular Battle of Britain is captured well, and there are some amazing flight/dogfighting sequences, with the film also benefitting from a great cast that includes Caine,Laurence Olivier,Christopher Plummer, and even a youngIan McShane.
1’Deathtrap' (1982)
Director: Sidney Lumet
While 1972’sSleuthfeels a little underrated by modern standards, it’s still one Michael Caine movie that’s decently well-known, owing to the fact that itmight well contain his best-ever lead performance. Released 10 years on fromSleuth,Deathtrapisn’t a sequel or remake, but it certainly scratches a very similar itch,given it also features a small main cast, limited scope, and a plot that revolves around a darkly funny and tense battle of wits.
Deathtrapis twist-heavy, likeSleuth, and those who have yet to see it will benefit immensely from going in with as little knowledge about where it goes as possible. All you need to know is that it’s a lot of fun, with lead stars Michael Caine andChristopher Reeveboth excelling in complex roles, each clearly relishing the opportunity to take part in such a wild and twist-filled story.
NEXT:Every Michael Caine and Christopher Nolan Collaboration, Ranked
