75 Rio Bravo (1959 / Howard Hawks)
Howard Hawks had demonstrated his mastery of the Western genre (as he had with so many others) 11 years previously with Red River. This topped it though and provided John Wayne with his best ever part as a sheriff defending his small town. Great fun.
74 Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
After the 1930s jingoistic and highly fictionalised account of the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, this was welcome re-telling of the story. Detailed, brilliantly acted, inventively shot and sticking far more to the truth. If you watch this and want to know more, I highly recommend the book ‘The Reason Why’ by Cecil Woodham-Smith.
73 Salvador (1986 / Oliver Stone)
For a while in the 80s, James Woods was amongst the 2 or 3 best screen actors working. This was the pinnacle of his career, playing the part of an American journalist in an El Salvador war zone. Oliver Stone has a hit and miss career, this was a resounding hit.
72 Yi Yi (A One and a Two) (2000 / Edward Yang)
A really affecting drama about the problems impacting the lives of the members of a family in modern Taipei. At nearly 3 hours long, this considered, thoughtful piece will either suck you in or leave you cold.
71 Raging Bull (1980 / Martin Scorsese)
I don’t rate this quite as highly as most critics, but it is the best film about boxing that has been made, part of the elite group of films that Scorsese made during his peak years (1973 – 95) and featuring an unforgettable performance from Robert De Niro.
70 The Player (1992 / Robert Altman)
Altman’s hilarious satire on Hollywood features one of the best tracking shots in cinema history and a fantastic cast headed by Tim Robbins.
69 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956 / Don Siegel)
Sci fi classic that is a thinly veiled critique of both the communist threat and McCarthyism. The 1978 remake is very good, but this has the edge.
68 Hidden Agenda (1990 / Ken Loach)
Ken Loach is a remarkably consistent director and his recent Cannes Palme D’Or win shows that his passion has not dimmed despite approaching his 80th year. This story of an establishment cover up in Ireland is, in my opinion, one of his 2 masterpieces.
67 Show Me Love (1998 / Lukas Moodysson)
A beautifully observed and touching portrait of young love between two girls in Sweden. An underrated film, a notch above the much more lauded Blue is the Warmest Colour, which explored similar themes.
66 Tokyo Story (1953 / Yasujirô Ozu)
Initially this may seem a slight tale of an elderly couple visiting their indifferent children in the city. However, if you give it the concentration and patience it requires, you will be drawn in and will feel the emotional resonance at its core.
65 Good Night and Good Luck (2005 / George Clooney)
Clooney’s best directorial effort so far (I have high hopes for Suburbicon in 2017). A restrained, thoughtful examination of the confrontation between Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy. David Strathairn is superb as Murrow.
64 Goodfellas (1990 / Martin Scorsese)
Scorsese’s visceral mob movie is justly famous for the restaurant tracking shot and for its brutal violence. Totally compelling, with De Niro as great as you would expect and career best performances by Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco.
63 Danton (1983 / Andrzej Wajda)
Gérard Depardieu seems almost more of a figure of fun than an actor these days. But back in the 80s he was a vital presence and this is my favourite of his performances, as Danton, standing up to Robespierre during the Terror of 1793.
62 All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 / Lewis Milestone)
Sure, this World War 1 drama feels quite dated from a technical or pacing point of view, but the anti war message resonates to this day. A very important film, and very daring for its time.
61 Strangers on a Train (1951 / Alfred Hitchcock)
It’s a plotline that has been used many times since – 2 strangers agree to swap murders to avoid being suspected of the crime – but never bettered. But, as this is directed by Hitchcock that’s no surprise, and he delivered some of his most famous sequences such as the tennis match and fairground scenes.
60 Nashville (1975 / Robert Altman)
You don’t need to be interested in country music to enjoy Nashville, but you need to be a fan of the director’s style of using multiple interconnecting storylines and overlapping dialogue. A key film of the 1970s.
59 On the Waterfront (1954 / Elia Kazan)
This would probably be higher on my list if it wasn’t for the director’s naming of names to the HUAC, and the impact that has on the political standing of this film about corrupt union bosses. However, it is still a brilliant cinematic offering featuring an iconic performance from Marlon Brando.
58 Bridge on the River Kwai (1957 / David Lean)
If you need one reason to watch this World War 2 drama about British troops in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, it is the towering central performance by Alec Guinness.
57 The Apartment (1960 / Billy Wilder)
Another Billy Wilder film, this time a darkly funny story of a man (the peerless Jack Lemmon) who hires out his apartment to co-workers to use for their romantic trysts.
56 The Silence (1963 / Ingmar Bergman)
An unsettling, hard to define slow burn drama about 2 sisters travelling and holing up in a hotel. Very dark and meditative, this can be ranked amongst the director’s greatest achievements.
55 Double Indemnity (1944 / Billy Wilder)
Massively popular thriller about an insurance rep becoming embroiled in a woman’s plot. A textbook example of how to shoot a noir, with a career defining performance by Barbara Stanwyck.
54 The Roaring Twenties (1939 / Raoul Walsh)
The pinnacle of the Warner Brothers gangster movies of this era, because it is so much more than the standard hoodlum story. James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart have rarely been better. It would probably be more acclaimed if it hadn’t been released amongst all the other classics in 1939.
53 Control (2007 / Anton Corbijn)
I admit that as Joy Division are my favourite all time band, this may be appearing higher in my list than it would for people who have no interest in the music. However, this depiction of the Ian Curtis’ tragic story is beautifully rendered in appropriate black and white and features a touching lead performance from Sam Riley.
52 Bride of Frankenstein (1935 / James Whale)
A rare example of a sequel improving on its predecessor. James Whale returns to direct this scary but touching story of the monster acquiring a mate.
51 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960 / Karel Reisz)
My favourite of the British kitchen sink films of the 50s and 60s. Albert Finney gives a star making performance as a young man involved with 2 different women.
Scorsese’s visceral mob movie is justly famous for the restaurant tracking shot and for its brutal violence. Totally compelling, with De Niro as great as you would expect and career best performances by Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco.
63 Danton (1983 / Andrzej Wajda)
Gérard Depardieu seems almost more of a figure of fun than an actor these days. But back in the 80s he was a vital presence and this is my favourite of his performances, as Danton, standing up to Robespierre during the Terror of 1793.
62 All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 / Lewis Milestone)
Sure, this World War 1 drama feels quite dated from a technical or pacing point of view, but the anti war message resonates to this day. A very important film, and very daring for its time.
61 Strangers on a Train (1951 / Alfred Hitchcock)
It’s a plotline that has been used many times since – 2 strangers agree to swap murders to avoid being suspected of the crime – but never bettered. But, as this is directed by Hitchcock that’s no surprise, and he delivered some of his most famous sequences such as the tennis match and fairground scenes.
60 Nashville (1975 / Robert Altman)
You don’t need to be interested in country music to enjoy Nashville, but you need to be a fan of the director’s style of using multiple interconnecting storylines and overlapping dialogue. A key film of the 1970s.
59 On the Waterfront (1954 / Elia Kazan)
This would probably be higher on my list if it wasn’t for the director’s naming of names to the HUAC, and the impact that has on the political standing of this film about corrupt union bosses. However, it is still a brilliant cinematic offering featuring an iconic performance from Marlon Brando.
58 Bridge on the River Kwai (1957 / David Lean)
If you need one reason to watch this World War 2 drama about British troops in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, it is the towering central performance by Alec Guinness.
57 The Apartment (1960 / Billy Wilder)
Another Billy Wilder film, this time a darkly funny story of a man (the peerless Jack Lemmon) who hires out his apartment to co-workers to use for their romantic trysts.
56 The Silence (1963 / Ingmar Bergman)
An unsettling, hard to define slow burn drama about 2 sisters travelling and holing up in a hotel. Very dark and meditative, this can be ranked amongst the director’s greatest achievements.
55 Double Indemnity (1944 / Billy Wilder)
Massively popular thriller about an insurance rep becoming embroiled in a woman’s plot. A textbook example of how to shoot a noir, with a career defining performance by Barbara Stanwyck.
54 The Roaring Twenties (1939 / Raoul Walsh)
The pinnacle of the Warner Brothers gangster movies of this era, because it is so much more than the standard hoodlum story. James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart have rarely been better. It would probably be more acclaimed if it hadn’t been released amongst all the other classics in 1939.
53 Control (2007 / Anton Corbijn)
I admit that as Joy Division are my favourite all time band, this may be appearing higher in my list than it would for people who have no interest in the music. However, this depiction of the Ian Curtis’ tragic story is beautifully rendered in appropriate black and white and features a touching lead performance from Sam Riley.
52 Bride of Frankenstein (1935 / James Whale)
A rare example of a sequel improving on its predecessor. James Whale returns to direct this scary but touching story of the monster acquiring a mate.
51 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960 / Karel Reisz)
My favourite of the British kitchen sink films of the 50s and 60s. Albert Finney gives a star making performance as a young man involved with 2 different women.
Gérard Depardieu seems almost more of a figure of fun than an actor these days. But back in the 80s he was a vital presence and this is my favourite of his performances, as Danton, standing up to Robespierre during the Terror of 1793.
62 All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 / Lewis Milestone)
Sure, this World War 1 drama feels quite dated from a technical or pacing point of view, but the anti war message resonates to this day. A very important film, and very daring for its time.
61 Strangers on a Train (1951 / Alfred Hitchcock)
It’s a plotline that has been used many times since – 2 strangers agree to swap murders to avoid being suspected of the crime – but never bettered. But, as this is directed by Hitchcock that’s no surprise, and he delivered some of his most famous sequences such as the tennis match and fairground scenes.
60 Nashville (1975 / Robert Altman)
You don’t need to be interested in country music to enjoy Nashville, but you need to be a fan of the director’s style of using multiple interconnecting storylines and overlapping dialogue. A key film of the 1970s.
59 On the Waterfront (1954 / Elia Kazan)
This would probably be higher on my list if it wasn’t for the director’s naming of names to the HUAC, and the impact that has on the political standing of this film about corrupt union bosses. However, it is still a brilliant cinematic offering featuring an iconic performance from Marlon Brando.
58 Bridge on the River Kwai (1957 / David Lean)
If you need one reason to watch this World War 2 drama about British troops in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, it is the towering central performance by Alec Guinness.
57 The Apartment (1960 / Billy Wilder)
Another Billy Wilder film, this time a darkly funny story of a man (the peerless Jack Lemmon) who hires out his apartment to co-workers to use for their romantic trysts.
56 The Silence (1963 / Ingmar Bergman)
An unsettling, hard to define slow burn drama about 2 sisters travelling and holing up in a hotel. Very dark and meditative, this can be ranked amongst the director’s greatest achievements.
55 Double Indemnity (1944 / Billy Wilder)
Massively popular thriller about an insurance rep becoming embroiled in a woman’s plot. A textbook example of how to shoot a noir, with a career defining performance by Barbara Stanwyck.
54 The Roaring Twenties (1939 / Raoul Walsh)
The pinnacle of the Warner Brothers gangster movies of this era, because it is so much more than the standard hoodlum story. James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart have rarely been better. It would probably be more acclaimed if it hadn’t been released amongst all the other classics in 1939.
53 Control (2007 / Anton Corbijn)
I admit that as Joy Division are my favourite all time band, this may be appearing higher in my list than it would for people who have no interest in the music. However, this depiction of the Ian Curtis’ tragic story is beautifully rendered in appropriate black and white and features a touching lead performance from Sam Riley.
52 Bride of Frankenstein (1935 / James Whale)
A rare example of a sequel improving on its predecessor. James Whale returns to direct this scary but touching story of the monster acquiring a mate.
51 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960 / Karel Reisz)
My favourite of the British kitchen sink films of the 50s and 60s. Albert Finney gives a star making performance as a young man involved with 2 different women.
Sure, this World War 1 drama feels quite dated from a technical or pacing point of view, but the anti war message resonates to this day. A very important film, and very daring for its time.
61 Strangers on a Train (1951 / Alfred Hitchcock)
It’s a plotline that has been used many times since – 2 strangers agree to swap murders to avoid being suspected of the crime – but never bettered. But, as this is directed by Hitchcock that’s no surprise, and he delivered some of his most famous sequences such as the tennis match and fairground scenes.
60 Nashville (1975 / Robert Altman)
You don’t need to be interested in country music to enjoy Nashville, but you need to be a fan of the director’s style of using multiple interconnecting storylines and overlapping dialogue. A key film of the 1970s.
59 On the Waterfront (1954 / Elia Kazan)
This would probably be higher on my list if it wasn’t for the director’s naming of names to the HUAC, and the impact that has on the political standing of this film about corrupt union bosses. However, it is still a brilliant cinematic offering featuring an iconic performance from Marlon Brando.
58 Bridge on the River Kwai (1957 / David Lean)
If you need one reason to watch this World War 2 drama about British troops in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, it is the towering central performance by Alec Guinness.
57 The Apartment (1960 / Billy Wilder)
Another Billy Wilder film, this time a darkly funny story of a man (the peerless Jack Lemmon) who hires out his apartment to co-workers to use for their romantic trysts.
56 The Silence (1963 / Ingmar Bergman)
An unsettling, hard to define slow burn drama about 2 sisters travelling and holing up in a hotel. Very dark and meditative, this can be ranked amongst the director’s greatest achievements.
55 Double Indemnity (1944 / Billy Wilder)
Massively popular thriller about an insurance rep becoming embroiled in a woman’s plot. A textbook example of how to shoot a noir, with a career defining performance by Barbara Stanwyck.
54 The Roaring Twenties (1939 / Raoul Walsh)
The pinnacle of the Warner Brothers gangster movies of this era, because it is so much more than the standard hoodlum story. James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart have rarely been better. It would probably be more acclaimed if it hadn’t been released amongst all the other classics in 1939.
53 Control (2007 / Anton Corbijn)
I admit that as Joy Division are my favourite all time band, this may be appearing higher in my list than it would for people who have no interest in the music. However, this depiction of the Ian Curtis’ tragic story is beautifully rendered in appropriate black and white and features a touching lead performance from Sam Riley.
52 Bride of Frankenstein (1935 / James Whale)
A rare example of a sequel improving on its predecessor. James Whale returns to direct this scary but touching story of the monster acquiring a mate.
51 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960 / Karel Reisz)
My favourite of the British kitchen sink films of the 50s and 60s. Albert Finney gives a star making performance as a young man involved with 2 different women.