Anthology Film Archives

STARRING BRAD DOURIF

October 10 – October 23

October 10-23, 2024

If there were ever a character actor hall of fame, Brad Dourif would belong in the upper echelon. Over the course of a 50-year career, he has distinguished himself as a fearless performer. Never shying away from exploring the darkest parts of the human psyche, his skill at keeping audiences on the edge of their seats belies a tremendous versatility. Right from the start, with his film debut as the heartbreaking Billy Bibbit in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award), Dourif has commanded a wide variety of roles, from anti-God preacher (WISE BLOOD), 19th-century southerner (THE GARDENER’S SON), and early-20th century anarchist (RAGTIME), to philosophical alien (THE WILD BLUE YONDER), possessed serial killer (THE EXORCIST III), and – the role that cemented his reputation as a horror icon – the pint-sized menace Chucky (CHILD’S PLAY). His gifts have been recognized – and utilized – by some of the greatest filmmakers of recent years: what other actor can boast of appearing in multiple films by Miloš Forman, Werner Herzog, and David Lynch? Even when working in stacked ensemble casts, in big and small screen projects alike, his performances are inevitably indelible and unforgettable.

This fall, Anthology is proud to celebrate Brad Dourif by presenting a selection of his most remarkable films, with the man himself in person to present screenings of WISE BLOOD and HORSEPLAYER on October 11 & 12!

Guest-programmed by Clyde Folley.

Special thanks to Brad Dourif and Claudia Handler; and to Susan Arosteguy; Brian Belovarac (Janus Films); Chris Chouinard (Park Circus); Jack Durwood & Emiah Reilly (Paramount); Tiffany Greenwood (Swank Motion Pictures); Harry Guerro; Joseph Hernandez; Kaila Hier; Jason Jackowski (Universal); Mark Johnson (Harvard Film Archive); Edda Manriquez (Academy Film Archive); Lucki Stipetic (Werner Herzog Film); Kurt Voss; and Paul Zaentz.

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