RadioTimes.com readers celebrate Michael Caine's best performances following retirement
From The Italian Job to The Muppet Christmas Carol, Caine has had some extraordinary roles.
Legendary actor Michael Caine has announced that, following his performance in new film The Great Escaper, he has retired from acting, telling the BBC's Today programme: "I've had a picture where I've played the lead and it's got incredible reviews.
"The only parts I'm liable to get now are old men, 90-year-old men, or maybe 85. And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this."
With this moment marking what appears to be the end of the great actor's long and storied career, RadioTimes.com asked its readers to give us their favourite performances by Caine over the years.
Responding, one fan said "it has to be The Italian Job", referencing the 1969 comedy caper which formed part of Caine's cinematic breakthrough in the '60s, and which remains one his most famous and acclaimed projects.
Meanwhile, another said that Caine's best role was in Educating Rita, in which he played the titular character's jaded, alcoholic teacher.
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Another respondent put forward his performance as Ebeneezer Scrooge in "The Muppet Christmas Carol. No doubt!"
Speaking with RadioTimes.com last year, the director of The Muppet Christmas Carol Brian Henson explained that in casting the role of Scrooge, they were looking for "a skilled comedian" who would "understand that the dynamic would work if they played it straight".
Henson said of his first meeting with Caine: "It was one of the first things he said to me the first time we met, he said, 'I'm going to play this utterly, utterly straight.' And I was like, 'Yes, that would be great.'"
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Caine is currently starring in The Great Escaper, with the film's director Oliver Parker telling RadioTimes.com that the role was "irresistable" to the actor.
Parker continued: "I would say actually making the film kind of revived him in some ways. A lot of older actors through COVID times weren't sure if they'd get back on the stage or on the set, and so I think that there was an amazing resurgence of energy."
Other major roles across Caine's career have included appearances in many Christopher Nolan movies, including The Dark Knight trilogy, as well as roles in The Ipcress File, Get Carter, Children of Men and many, many more.
The Great Escaper is in UK cinemas now. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
