SIR ALEC GUINESS
The death of Sir Alec Guiness in 2000 at the age of 86 was a sad, if not unexpected, event. Sir Alec appeared in over 50 films in a long and distinguished career. Most younger fans will remember him as Obi Wan-Kenobi, guardian of The Force and mentor to Luke Skywalker, in Star Wars (1977).  He brought needed gravity and nobility to the film.
Mr. Guiness won an Oscar for his stunning portrayal of the Colonel in Bridge On The River Kwai (1957). Kwai is not only an outstanding war movie and a consummate nail-biter, it is an excellent character study. The Colonel somehow loses sight of the long-range goal and becomes obsessed in saving the bridge he has built for the Japanese. Jack Hawkins and William Holden head the rest of a fine cast. This film won seven Oscars in all, including Best Picture and Best Director.  If you have never seen it, you’re in for a treat!
Sir Alec is convincingly depraved as the villainous Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), topping even Ron Moody’s performance in Oliver! (1968). Both of these films are excellent. The earlier one with Mr. Guiness is not a musical. It amply demonstrates the incredible, effortless range of which Sir Alec was capable. 
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) is British low-key comedy at its finest. Sir Alec is a timid bank clerk and  the unlikely mastermind of a gold truck heist. Stanley Holloway leads the ensemble cast of assorted ne’er-do-wells but it is Mr. Guiness’ underplayed drollery that makes this film a classic.
In The Horse’s Mouth (1958) Alec Guiness stars as Joyce Cary’s eccentric 
genius and pain-in-the-neck, Gully Jimson. He is an artist who by turns dazzles and irritates those he deals with. Sir Alec is perfect in the part and is the wheel that turns this fine comedy, a serious but entertaining exploration of the artistic soul.
It seemed Alec Guiness was around forever- he was knighted 56 years ago. Some other fine films with good Guiness performances include Great Expectations (1946) as Pip, Tunes of Glory (1960) as the easygoing officer, and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) as an Arab prince. He was awarded a special Oscar in 1980 for “memorable and distinguished performances.” He was in a few bad movies, but he never gave a bad performance.
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD and for streaming. All are suitable for children 10 and up.