100 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977 / Steven Spielberg)
Classic and influential, there isn’t much more to be said about this seminal work of sci fi. I was too young to see it on first release but was lucky enough to see it on a massive screen at an outdoor showing in Brighton a few years ago. The setting made it an even better watch.
99 Saboteur (1942 / Alfred Hitchcock)
In many ways, a typical Hitchcock effort – an unjustly accused man goes on the run in order to clear his name. He made more famous films with a similar story, but this one should not be overlooked. A key role is played by Norman Lloyd, who, at the time of writing, is still acting at 101 years of age.
98 The Great Escape (1963 / John Sturges)
The perfect Boxing Day movie, assume your position on the couch and wallow in this immensely enjoyable world war 2 prison camp story. The sort of film I’d love to see on a big screen but one of a type that simply does not get made anymore.
97 The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946 / Tay Garnett)
A classic film noir. The wonderful Lana Turner plots to kill her husband, with the help of her lover. For once, I recommend the remake too!
96 Vanya on 42nd Street (1994 / Louis Malle)
A group of actors in New York rehearse Chekhov’s most famous play…that may seem like a flimsy premise but thanks to a great ensemble cast and David Mamet’s source material, this is stunning stuff.
95 The Towering Inferno (1974 / John Guillermin)
The best of the big budget disaster movies of the 1970s, starring two of the biggest movie stars of all time: Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.
94 Frost / Nixon (2008 / Ron Howard)
In the years after Watergate, Richard Nixon agreed to take part in television interviews with David Frost. The events leading up to , during and after those revealing chats are detailed in this simple but gripping film.
93 Lawrence of Arabia (1962 / David Lean)
A gloriously shot epic telling of the life of TE Lawrence. Remarkably, this was Peter O’Toole’s debut and he was never better.
92 The China Syndrome (1979 / James Bridges)
This story of a cover up after a leak at a nuclear power plant was released just after the Three Mile Island incident so it couldn’t have been better timed. Scary stuff with the wonderful Jack Lemmon excelling as the whistle blower.
91 Annie Hall (1977 / Woody Allen)
Woody Allen’s most critically lauded film is many peoples’ favourite, though I have others higher on my list. Even so, this is a charmingly witty and iconic comedy.
90 The Pink Panther (1963 / Blake Edwards)
Remembered for launching Peter Sellers’ Inspector Closeau character, it is easy to forget how good David Niven is, and how this caper is brilliantly stylishly told. Another must purchase on blu ray, as the colours are magnificent. Four funny sequels followed but it is best to avoid the dire Steve Martin remake.
89 Airplane! (1980 / Jim Abrahams, David Zucker & Jerry Zucker)
I don’t think there has been another film with as many laugh out loud moments, despite the number of times I’ve seen it. Gags come thick and fast, so in the rare event that one misses, another hit is just seconds away.
88 Sink the Bismarck! (1960 / Lewis Gilbert)
This is rarely mentioned amongst the best second world war films, which is a shame. The British navy track the most famous German warship in the early part of the war. A feeling of realism and fatalism pervades the movie.
87 The Birds (1963 / Alfred Hitchcock)
Following up Psycho may have been a problem for most directors, but not Hitchcock. The slowly building tension leading up to the bird attack is brilliantly done. It surpasses it predecessor in my opinion.
86 Code Unknown (2000 / Michael Haneke)
A film that rewards the concentration needed o follow the multiple plot lines. Sixteen years on, this is a timely story of co existing in modern Europe.
85 It’s a Gift (1934 / Norman Z. McLeod)
This is W.C Fields’ most consistently funny and best structured movie. Full of hilarious set pieces and an important document of a master comedian.
84 The Long Goodbye (1973 / Robert Altman)
It may not be my favourite film featuring the character but I love Elliot Gould’s depiction of the private eye Philip Marlowe. Laid back and so 70s, the movie is a big influence on the recent films Inherent Vice and The Nice Guys.
83 The Longest Day (1962 / Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki, Gerd Oswald & Darryl F. Zanuck)
A suitably epic depiction of the events leading up to and during the D-Day landings. The cast is ridiculously star studded and the film feels like the definitive telling of this story.
82 The Rise to Power of Louis XIV (1966 / Roberto Rossellini)
I was first shown this film in my ‘A’ Level history class, which underlines the historical accuracy of the events on screen. Fortunately, this telling of the events in France in 1661 is also dramatically brilliant. I’m breaking my own rules by including this film made for French television rather than the big screen but it was released theatrically elsewhere.
81 Rome Express (1932 / Walter Forde)
A train bound thriller that set the template for similar films over the following decades. Stylish and exciting with nice doses of humour.
80 Zulu (1964 / Cy Endfield)
A marvellously exciting depiction of the heroics at Rorke’s Drift. Staple fayre on holiday TV schedules, and rightly so. I highly recommend the making of book, Zulu With Some Guts Behind It.
79 No Country for Old Men (2007 / Joel & Ethan Coen)
The high point of the Coen’s career so far, much darker than many of their films. Josh Broiln, an underrated actor, becomes involved with drug dealers and attracts the attention of killer Javier Bardem.
78 Sunset Boulevard (1950 / Billy Wilder)
Set in Hollywood in the 50s, a writer becomes involved with a fading silent screen star on the look out for a comeback. A great psychological drama with a towering performance from Gloria Swanson.
77 A Night to Remember (1958 / Roy Ward Baker)
If anyone tries to tell you that 1997’s Titanic was a good film, sit them down and make them watch this much better telling of the story of the doomed ship. No silly romantic sub plot, this is a pared down involving movie.
76 The Seven Samurai (1954 / Akira Kurosawa)
A 3 and a half hour 60 year old Japanese film is probably a bit of a hard sell, but this bone fide classic that has enough action scenes to keep casual viewers entertained.