Greatest movie role is Nicholson's

Jack Nicholson’s role in classic movie 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest' has been named the greatest movie performance of all time.

Screen experts from Total Film magazine ranked his role as charismatic mental patient RP McMurphy in the adaptation of Ken Kesey’s book as the top portrayal.

Robert De Niro’s role in 'Raging Bull' was runner-up in the magazine’s list of the 200 best performances, while Daniel Day-Lewis was third for 'There Will Be Blood'. Liam Neeson came it at number 10 for his 'Schindler’s List' role.

Nicholson won an Oscar for his appearance as McMurphy in the 1975 film, in which he leads the other patients in a rebellion.

Total Film deputy editor Jamie Graham said: “Few actors are as magnetic as Jack Nicholson, and RP McMurphy is his definitive performance.

"Perfectly capturing the anti-hero, anti-establishment spirit of the time, he combines danger, charisma, courage, anguish and humour, while the wild-haired, wild-eyed lunacy that would consume some of his later performances is here deployed sparingly and strategically.”

Day-Lewis is the highest-ranked Briton in the list and his 2007 role as ruthless oil baron Daniel Plainview is the most recent performance in the top 10.

The highest-placed actress is Emily Watson for her role as Bess in 'Breaking The Waves'.

The top 10 is:

1. Jack Nicholson (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest)

2. Robert De Niro (Raging Bull)

3. Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)

4. Al Pacino (The Godfather, Part II)

5. Emily Watson (Breaking The Waves)

6. Marlon Brando (On The Waterfront)

7. Denzel Washington (Malcolm X)

8. Jane Fonda (Klute)

9. Paul Newman (The Hustler)

10. Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List)

The full list is at the magazine’s website www.totalfilm.com.