Cigar Aficionado

The May/June Cigar Aficionado, which is on newsstands now, is an homage to the wonderful world of movies. The history of film is colored with cigars—whether appearing as props, making an emphatic statement in the hand or mouth of a major character, or even smoked off-screen by such titans as directors John Ford, Francis Ford Coppola and Ridley Scott. In the right hands they can rise nearly to the level of costars. Here, in this bonus, web-only feature, we award the best cinematic cigar moments.

Longest Smoke

Robert Mitchum in The Longest Day

Robert Mitchum, as Gen. Norman Cota, arrives on Omaha Beach with a cigar at the ready. He twiddles and chews it throughout D-Day, but doesn’t light it until the beach is secure. Predictably, the cigar is spent. He reaches for a fresh one to smoke.

Most Satisfying Relight

Albert Finney in Miller’s Crossing

Mobster Albert Finney is preparing for bed with a cigar, a brandy and “Danny Boy” on the Victrola when he sniffs out a home invasion. He stubs his cigar, stashes it in his robe pocket and proceeds to snuff a gaggle of hoods with a tommy gun. His work done, he retrieves his cigar.

Most Supporting F-Bombs with a Cigar

Al Pacino in Scarface

Whether in a nightclub or giant bathtub, Al Pacino, as a Miami coke czar, spews out a cloud of smoke and obscenities that is likely still floating above Southern Florida. In the end, his “little friend” proves to be a grenade launcher, not a cigar.

Most Menacing Cigar

Clint Eastwood

From A Fistful of Dollars through a string of spaghetti westerns and onto his homegrown oaters, Eastwood is almost never without a thin cigar in the corner of his mouth. Before one shootout he only removes it to tell the undertaker, “Get three coffins ready.” It turns out, that’s not enough.

Most Annoying Movie Patron

Robert De Niro in Cape Fear

When Max Cady (Robert De Niro) returns from prison hell-bent on revenge for what he considers a wrongful conviction, he psyches out his former counsellor by sitting in front of his family at the movies, smoking a fat cigar and cackling. It will only get more harrowing.

Best Smoke Under Pressure

Hugh Jackman in X-Men: The Last Stand

We love cigars, but we tend to forgo the Cohibas when the world is coming to an end. Not Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Despite being under attack by missiles and killer robots, he takes time to savor a bracing robusto, memorably catching a light of his smoke off a burning car. That’s dedication. 

Most Matches

Edward G. Robinson and Fred MacMurray in Double Indemnity

While Edward G. Robinson is so often seen with a cigar, in this film noir he is always in search of a light. Fred MacMurray, his too-clever employee, obliges him with matches until the finale, when he confesses murder and awaits an ambulance. Robinson offers him a light. The tables have turned. 

Best Farewell to Cigars

Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide

Gene Hackman, as the captain, stands atop a nuclear submarine about to submerge and hands a cigar to Denzel Washington, playing his executive officer. Calling it part of his qualification for command, Hackman laments: “My last breath of polluted air for the next 65 days. I’m going to miss it. I don’t trust air I can’t see.”

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