Ray Winstone Reveals the Three Films That Make Him Weep

Typecasting can be a blessing and a curse for actors, but Ray Winstone has never shied away from his reputation as one of cinema ’s most convincing tough guys. While it might look simple to play the heavy—throwing punches and wearing a scowl—Winstone’s performances have always carried a genuine sense of menace that sets him apart. His background as a boxer only adds to his credibility, but what truly distinguishes him is his ability to bring real feeling to even the hardest characters.

Winstone’s signature style has kept him in demand for decades, from his breakout role in Scum to his turn as a villain in Black Widow. He’s worked with legendary directors like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Darren Aronofsky, and Robert Zemeckis, building a career on his no-nonsense approach. Yet, beneath that rugged exterior, there’s a softer side that rarely gets the spotlight.

Unexpected Vulnerability Behind the Tough Guy Image

Movies have a unique way of drawing out deep emotions, and Winstone is no exception. Despite his hardened image, he’s admitted that certain films have left him completely undone. He once confessed that he couldn’t recall the title of the first movie that made him cry, but remembered it starred Walter Pidgeon and centered on a man who loses his memory. The story follows the character after he’s hit by a bus while with the woman he loves. She later becomes his secretary, and they fall in love all over again. Winstone recalled the final scene, where Greer Garson calls out for Ronald Colman’s Smithy, identifying the film as the 1942 classic Random Harvest.

There’s something touching about picturing Winstone, known for his gruff roles, getting emotional over an old black-and-white film. But his appreciation for classic cinema doesn’t stop there.

Family Drama and Personal Connections

The second film that struck a chord with Winstone is David Lean’s 1944 drama This Happy Breed. He shared with Brett Goldstein that the story of Frank Gibbons, played by Robert Newton, resonated with him on a personal level. The film follows Gibbons as he returns from World War I and settles into a new home with his family, tracing their lives through the years up to the start of World War II in 1939. Winstone admitted,

“Just this thing of this family breaking up and having to move away, it just absolutely breaks my heart.”

It’s a powerful reminder that even the toughest actors can be deeply moved by stories of family and change.

A Fighter’s Empathy for a Boxing Legend

Winstone’s third pick is perhaps the most fitting: Raging Bull. His own experience as a boxer gives him a unique connection to the rise and fall of Jake LaMotta, the film’s troubled protagonist. He acknowledged that the movies that move him to tears are “quite diverse,” but the emotional impact is undeniable. Watching LaMotta’s journey, Winstone can’t help but feel a personal bond, making it impossible not to get swept up in the film’s raw emotion.

Despite his reputation for playing hard-edged characters, Winstone’s choices reveal a man who’s not afraid to show his feelings. Underneath all the bravado, he’s just as susceptible to a good cry as anyone else.

The Three Films That Move Ray Winstone

For those curious, the movies that have brought Winstone to tears are:

• Random Harvest
• This Happy Breed
• Raging Bull