by Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner are two of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men. Over decades in the industry, they’ve crafted iconic roles that have come to define stoic, understated masculinity. While their characters may differ in other ways, one common thread is how they deal with physical pain – or rather, don’t deal with it. Both actors are known for portraying heroes who grit their teeth and push through suffering with minimal outward reaction. Let’s take a deeper look at Ford and Costner’s portrayals of pain across some of their most famous roles to better understand this subtle but meaningful aspect of their on-screen personas.
One of the earliest and clearest examples comes from Ford’s breakout role as Han Solo in Star Wars (1977). In one memorable scene, Solo is tortured by Darth Vader, who uses the Force to painfully squeeze his victim’s throat. Ford delivers an intense but controlled performance, grimacing slightly but refusing to cry out or beg for mercy. His eyes remain defiantly locked with Vader’s mask. This establishes Solo as a tough, self-reliant character who won’t give his enemy the satisfaction of seeing him suffer. Ford brought a similar understated grit to Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). When Jones is injured, he hisses in pain but quickly gets back to the task at hand without complaint or self-pity.
Costner’s breakthrough role as Elliot in The Untouchables (1987) also featured a memorable pain scene. His character is brutally beaten by mobsters but refuses to give up any information. Like Ford, Costner communicates Elliot’s agony through subtle facial expressions rather than over-the-top reactions. His eyes remain fierce and determined even as his body is pummeled. This silent stoicism helps elevate Elliot to heroic status. Costner would bring variations on this type of understated strength to many of his subsequent leading man roles.
As the action hero archetype evolved, Ford and Costner’s characters encountered increasingly gruesome injuries but still reacted with remarkable composure. In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Jones is shot yet climbs a cliff face without slowing, ignoring the bullet lodged in his arm. Costner’s character in The Bodyguard (1992) is also shot but keeps chasing the assassin despite bleeding heavily. Both actors sell the agony through pained breathing and stiff movements rather than loud cries. Their characters prioritize stopping the threat over addressing their own wounds. This projects an image of gritty determination even in the face of intense suffering.
One of the most impressive examples of Ford and Costner underplaying pain comes in The Fugitive (1993). Costner’s Dr. Kimble is falsely accused of murdering his wife and must evade capture to prove his innocence. In a harrowing scene, Kimble’s injured leg is caught in the gates of a drainage pipe. As the water level rises, he is submerged up to his neck with his shattered limb pinned helplessly below. Most actors would have screamed in agony, but Costner delivers a masterclass in subtle anguish. His face contorts ever so slightly, eyes bulging with the effort of holding back screams. When the limb finally breaks free, he lets out a muted cry but immediately resumes his escape. Ford brought similar muted torment to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when Jones is tortured by having his heart slowly removed. He whimpers softly but never begs for mercy.
The fact that these iconic heroes downplay their suffering adds layers of complexity. It suggests an internal fortitude that transcends physical frailty. Their stoicism in the face of unendurable pain also presents them as almost superhuman figures. Audiences are left in awe of their resilience and dedication to persevering no matter the cost. However, this type of portrayal is not without controversy. Some argue it promotes an unhealthy “man up” culture where real human emotions and limitations are dismissed. Others counter that these characters aren’t meant to represent realistic reactions but rather embody aspirational ideals of courage, grit and self-sacrifice.
Either way, Ford and Costner imbued their roles with a subtlety that left a lasting impression. Their understated methods communicate anguish as effectively as over-the-top screaming or crying ever could. Small twitches, labored breathing and barely contained whimpers speak volumes. Later in their careers, both actors began taking on more vulnerable and emotionally expressive roles as their on-screen personas matured. However, their formative works established an archetype of stoic, self-reliant heroes who prevail despite unimaginable torments. Through minimal yet impactful reactions, Ford and Costner crafted two of the most iconic portrayals of understated strength in the face of agony in modern cinema. Their legacies as leading men were built on an ability to suggest immense suffering with the smallest of cues.
