Just in time for Father’s Day: 5 memorable movie dads

With Father’s Day coming up I plan to spend a portion of it camped on the sofa watching something on TV.  It might be something on basic cable like Burn Notice or Repo Games-both of which are entertaining in their own way.  That got us to daydreaming about our favorite fathers in movies.

In no particular order, this was the first 5 that we thought of.  Certainly there are more fathers in movies that may be more impactful, popular or a better role model.  However, these were the first 5 in our mind, so there’s something special about them.

Bruce Willis in Armageddon

Wills’ Harry Stamper is the father of Grace Stamper, played by Liv Tyler.  Bruce Willis may get lots of flack from movie purists for his choice of movie roles who question if he’s an action star or an actor.   The relationship between Willis and Tyler isn’t a focus of the movie, but my wife and I always get sucked into watching Armageddon on TV.  What’s more, the final scene between father and daughter always make us cry.  Well, it makes my wife cry first, which gives me permission to cry also.

The Great Santini

If you had HBO in the late 70’s it’s possible that you saw this movie dozens of times.  Robert Duvall plays Lt. Bull Meecham, a Marine commander who often treats his family like his recruits.  He’s a great father, but has trouble expressing it.  It’s a tough movie to watch at times, but it’s gripping, strong and very entertaining.

Iron Monkey

Martial arts master Donnie Yen plays a traveling physician who is new to town with his son.  Iron Monkey is essentially Robin Hood in Chinese, but the martial arts action is impressive, creative and funny.  Admittedly, there aren’t too many fathers that are memorable in martial arts.   This movie has been in our collection for a while though and was one of the first to come to mind.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Is your favorite scene when they’re in the blimp talking about the “next man?”  Your favorite scene could be when they’re tied up together in the fire pit with the German Army in the other room.    Regardless, this is one of the best father/son movies out there.  It’s light, breezy and packed with action.  I can’t wait to watch it with our son.

The Empire Strikes Back

Do we watch the movies in the order that they were made or sequentially?  We will figure out that question in the very near future when our toddler watches them for the first time.  The second movie is still the best and has one of the (first) best plot twists in movie history.