by Shannon Chicoine

Created on: April 10, 2008

Often we are quick to give praise to actors and characters that portray heroes in movies. Fantasy movies often contain some of the most memorable heroic and magical characters, but what about their foes? The fantasy genre has brought us some of the most memorable, dreadful, evil villains of all time. Whether they are unbelievable creatures, sorcerers, witches, or just plain evil people, they'll give you nightmares for years to come. True fantasy villains don't need to be overly violent or hostile, knowing that these characters are capable of pure wickedness plus a touch of crazy in some will have you thinking about them for years to come.

Let's take a look at one of the most popular movies of all time, "The Wizard of Oz." Released in 1939, this movie gave us one of the all time scariest villains. The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton gave children and adults everywhere a fear of tornadoes and flying monkeys as she chased Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. It takes a real villain to kidnap your dog with flying monkeys and take all the straw out of your best friend.

Not all villains are so obvious though, as seen in "It's A Wonderful Life." Released in 1947, this movie shows us how one nasty person can affect our lives profoundly. George Bailey has the picture of a perfect life with a beautiful wife, kids, and his own business until his uncle loses the money owed to the bank. The banker, ultra insensitive millionaire Mr. Potter, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore, doesn't have to aim a gun or send monkeys. Just the thought of this man ruining his life, makes George want to commit suicide on Christmas Eve no less.

In 1978 we were introduced to super villain, Lex Luther played by Gene Hackman in "Superman." Armed with kryptonite Lex Luther is determined to rule the world, but first he must get rid of Clark Kent and his alter ego, Superman. While Superman is saving one side of the United States, Luther is demolishing another with a missile aimed at the San Andres Fault which starts an earthquake. The earthquake starts a flood which flattens everything in it path while Superman's dream girl Lois Lane loses her life in a car filling with dirt.

The 1970's gave us the beginning of the "Star Wars" episodes in which Luke Skywalker began the ups and downs of learning to be a Jedi and feeling the force. Luke tries to save the galaxy with fellow freedom fighters, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and others only to have his hand severed from

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