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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Entertainment
Abbie Meehan

Seven must watch Billy Connolly movies to celebrate the Big Yin's 80th birthday

As an advocate for the exceptional things Sir Billy Connolly has done in his life, it would be unfair to forget his glittering film career.

Starring in many films across his comedic and entertaining career, the Glaswegian legend celebrates his 80th birthday today (November 24). He has starred in many big-screen productions, so we thought it was only fair to some of the must-watch films that the icon has starred in.

So without further ado, here are seven of the best films Billy Connolly has starred in, and who he played in all these movies.

READ MORE - Billy Connolly's star-studded career as we celebrate the Big Yin's 80th birthday

Mrs Brown - 1997

Mrs Brown, also theatrically released as Her Majesty, Mrs Brown, is a 1997 British drama film starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher and Gerard Butler. It was written by Jeremy Brock and directed by John Madden.

Billy starring in Mrs Brown. (IMDb)

Billy played John Brown, Queen Victoria's Scottish servant who started up a secret relationship with the monarch. The film was released to unexpected success, going on to earn over $13 million worldwide.

The Last Samurai - 2003

The Last Samurai stars Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren, an alcoholic US Army Captain traumatized by the brutality of the American Indian Wars, is hired to train the newly created Imperial Japanese Army in modern warfare.

Billy starring in The Last Samurai. (IMDb)

His first assignment is to crush a rebellion by traditionalist Samurai warriors who refuse to use firearms, but he is quickly impressed by the Bushido tradition. Billy played Sergeant Zebulon Gant, an Irish American Civil War veteran who served with and is loyal to Algren, persuading him to come to Japan and working with him to train the Imperial Army.

What We Did on Our Holiday - 2012

Fellow Scot David Tennant stars as Doug in What We Did on Our Holiday, as part of a family going through marital issues. However, they still travel together to the Scottish Highlands to attend the 75th birthday of Doug's father. Although Doug and his wife try to put on a happy face, their children end up revealing everything.

Billy in What We Did on Our Holiday. (IMDb)

Billy played the father of Doug, Gordie McLeod. This was one of the last feature films Billy starred in before retiring from live performance due to his Parkinson's disease.

Quartet - 2012

Quartet is a comedy drama film which takes us to Beecham House, a retirement home for former professional musicians. All the residents living in the home are suffering from multiple ailments that come with old age, but despite this, they continue their involvement with the world of music.

Billy in Quartet. (IMDb)

Their lives turn upside down when they come to know that due to financial problems, the home may be closed down. Billy played Wilf, a retired opera singer alongside Dame Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay.

The Boondock Saints - 1999

After killing Russian criminals in self-defense, Irish Catholic twin brothers, Connor and Murphy McManus, turn themselves in where they receive ‘message from God.’ With friend Rocco, they become ‘vigilantes’ to rid Boston of its underworld. FBI agent Paul Smecker, assigned to track their actions, is inclined to agree that the Boondock Saints are on the right path.

Billy as Noah 'II Duce' MacManus. (Internet Movie Firearms Database)

Billy played the father of the Irish brothers, Noah 'II Duce' MacManus. He is released from prison by Yakavetta to confront the twins and Rocco, only to assist the twins after learning who they are.

The Man Who Sued God - 2001

The Man Who Sued God is a comedy drama film which tells the story of Steve (Billy Connolly), a lawyer, who decides to abandon his career, and live a quiet life as a fisherman. However, things don’t go as expected, as his boat is destroyed by a lightning.

Billy in The Man Who Sued God. (ITVX)

His insurance company informs him that he is not going to be covered as the incident was an ‘Act of God’. Therefore, he decides to sue God, who is represented by religious leaders at the court. He is aided by Anne, a journalist, who is sympathetic towards his situation.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - 2014

This film was the second last film Billy ever shot before his retirement. Billy played Dain II Ironfoot, one of the toughest and wisest allies to the army.

Billy in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. (iMdB)

The film revolves around a hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who engages in a war along with his comrades, to protect the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of darkness.

Absolution - 1978

At a Catholic boys’ school, a bright student Benjie Stanfield confesses before a strict disciplinarian Father Goddard that he unintentionally murdered his friend, Blakey (Billy Connolly).

Billy in Absolution. (iMDb)

After probing the matter, Goddard realises that it was a mere joke. However, Benjie again confesses to a murder and this time a shocked Goddard really finds a body. Moreover, another student Arthur has disappeared unexpectedly.

There are hundreds more films that Billy has starred in, and television series to boot. Happy Birthday to you Billy, we hope you have a wonderful day!

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