From "La Mancha" to "Killer Tomatoes" Quiz

Answer: Peter O'Toole

His parts in these films were the hero Don Quixote and the author Miguel Cervantes, Priam the last king of Troy, Henry II the 12th century King of England, and the incompetent Lord Chelmsford who lost his entire army to the Zulus at the Battle of Isandlwana.
Peter O'Toole holds the record in the 20th Century for the most Oscar nominations for Best Actor (seven), without winning.

Answer: John Mills

One of the greatest actors ever, with over 120 film appearances, Sir John Mills won an Oscar for possibly his most extraordinary performance as the village idiot in "Ryan's Daughter". In the other films listed here he played Sir Henry Bartle Frere, the British commissioner who ordered the disastrous invasion of Zululand, Masterman Finsbury, one of two surviving brothers in a tontine, and Captain Anson, who led his team in an arduous escape across the North African desert, all the time dreaming of a cold beer at the end of it.

Answer: Trevor Howard

A quintessentially English actor who made well over 80 films, Trevor Howard excelled when portraying military men. The exception in these films was "Ryan's Daughter" where he put in a powerful performance as Father Collins, the village priest. In the other films mentioned here he was Major Fincham helping Frank Sinatra lead a group of escaping prisoners of war, Lord Cardigan, the arrogant commander who led the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade, and Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park, brilliant leader in the Battle of Britain.

Answer: Michael Caine

Sir Michael Caine has been making movies since the early fifties. He has won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, and been nominated several times as Best Actor. In the films mentioned in the question he portrayed Squadron Leader Canfield, a fighter ace in the Battle of Britain, Nigel Powers, father of Austin Powers, Dr Evil and Mini-Me, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's butler and Lt Col John Vandeleur, one of two brothers, each of whom commanded units of the Irish Guards in the fruitless attack on Arnhem.

Answer: Sean Connery

Sir Sean Connery has been making films since the late '50s, but his big break came in 1962 when he made his first of seven films as James Bond. He picked up an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for "The Untouchables" in which he played Irish cop Jim Malone.

In the other films mentioned here he was Major General Urquhart, in command of the British Airborne forces at Arnhem, Sir August de Winter, a mad scientist determined to control the world's weather, and he made a cameo appearance as King Richard I returning from the crusades just in time to bless Robin and Marian's marriage.

Answer: Alan Rickman

Having made his name in the theatre, Alan Rickman came to films quite late in his career, but has made a real name for himself with his sardonic style which showed to great effect in his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves".

In the other listed films he played Sir Alexander Dane who in turn played Dr Lazarus of Tev'Meck, Severus Snape, one of Harry Potter's more mysterious teachers, and Judge Turpin, Sweeney Todd's evil antagonist.

Answer: Helena Bonham Carter

She has appeared in a variety of movies since she began in the early '80s, but Helena Bonham Carter's role as Ari the chimpanzee in "Planet of the Apes" must surely rank as one of her more challenging ones! In the other three movies she played Mrs Lovett, a dab hand with a meat pie, Mrs Bucket, Charlie's mum and a dab hand with cabbage soup, and Marla Singer, a dab hand with a bottle of pills

Answer: Tim Roth

A wonderful character actor, Tim Roth's finest hour must surely have been as Archibald Cunningham in "Rob Roy", a part for which he deservedly won an Oscar nomination. In the other films listed he played General Thade the warmongering chimpanzee, Mr Orange, who was really Freddy Newandyke, an undercover detective, and Ringo/Pumpkin who held up the diner with Honey Bunny.

Answer: Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel is a prolific actor, most often cast as a "tough guy". In these films he played Winston Wolf, "the cleaner", CPO Henry Klough, Chief of the Boat in S-33 (although in reality he could not have been involved in the capture of the Enigma machine, since this was achieved by the Royal Navy from U-110!), Satan who angered his three sons by refusing to give up the throne of hell, and Jacob Fuller, a pastor whose struggle with his faith was complicated by hordes of vampires.

Answer: George Clooney

What more can I say about George Clooney - several Oscar nominations - and he advertises my favourite coffee! In these four films he was outstanding as Seth Gecko, bank robber and vampire slayer, Major Archie Gates who attempted to make off with stolen Kuwaiti gold, and Ulysses Everett McGill, escapee from a chain gang, but he would probably rather forget his role as Matt Stevens the killer tomato!