Best Supporting Actor 1978: Results

5. Bruce Dern in Coming Home- Dern is fine for most of the film and does have a few effective scenes, but he never goes far enough with the role to make up for the fact that the film has very little interest in his character.

4. Jack Warden in Heaven Can Wait- Warden has a rather small role but he gives a nice humorous as well as warm performance that supports leading man Warren Beatty rather well.

3. John Hurt in Midnight Express- Hurt gives an interesting portrait of a man wasted away by prison unfortunately the film is uses his character for atmosphere more than anything limiting Hurt's potential.

2. Richard Farnsworth in Comes A Horseman- Just like Hurt and Dern his film seems oddly unconcerned with his character. Farnsworth though still is a delight every time he is on screen, and is absolutely heartbreaking when he is finally given the chance to do more.

1. Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter- Good prediction Eddie. Walken easily wins this year giving an outstanding performance that is unforgettable. He creates a remarkable portrait of a solider who loses his mind over the trauma faced during the war.

Deserving Performances:
Gene Hackman in Superman
John Savage in The Deer Hunter
John Cazale in The Deer Hunter

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Best Supporting Actor 1978: John Hurt in Midnight Express

John Hurt received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Max in Midnight Express.

Midnight Express details the abuse faced in a Turkish prison by an american drug smuggler Billy Hayes (Brad Davis).

John Hurt portrays a fellow inmate of the prison who befriends Billy, and has been in the prison for quite some time. Hurt really is not given a great deal of time to establish or develop Max as the film really is not interested in him. Hurt there must do it all pretty much in stride in the limited amount of screen time he is given. Hurt from his first scene establishes Max's clear weariness, and a sort of insanity that has developed within Max from his time in the prison.

There is almost an otherworldly quality to Hurt's performance at times in his portrayal of Max that suggests well the way Max has been drifting from his treatment and time in prison. Hurt though doesn't overplay this idea and does still realize Hurt into an honest human being in his situation. He shows the history of Max in the prison with his portrayal of Max's exasperation as well as his quiet intelligence and knowledge Max has of the prison which Hurt effortlessly conveys.

When I said his role was limited though I really should have said he was very limited. He is mostly reactionary and barely makes any lasting effect on the story as written. He is mostly just there as part of the prison atmosphere more or less. There are a few scenes where he is more at the very beginning of his performance, and at the end of it. Near the end of his performance Hurt again we can't help but feel for his character as he makes the pain of Max real.

The only problem is between his beginning and final scenes where he can develop his character more he really is just a part of the environment. Not that this is a problem with Hurt's performance he is as good as anyone could be in the role its just the film cares very little about his character. I most certainly did like seeing Hurt, I almost always like seeing John Hurt in films. I only wish he was given more time as I frankly found the creation of Max Hurt made far more fascinating than the exploits of the "true" story at the center of the film.

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Best Supporting Actor 1978

And the Nominees Were:

Richard Farnsworth in Comes A Horseman

Bruce Dern in Coming Home

Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter

Jack Warden in Heaven Can Wait

John Hurt in Midnight Express 

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