Defining Films of the 70's

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Defining Films of the Decades - The 60's

Continuing the "Defining Films of the Decades" series I started some time ago, here are the selections for the 1960's. As a reminder, these films were chosen based on popularity, excellence, timelessness, and relevancy as it pertains to the decade in which it was released. This means it should in some way reveal or reflect the decades' current events, social issues, trends, tastes, mores, creative sensibilities and artistic styles.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Gregory Peck gives the performance of the decade as Atticus Finch, whom the American Film Institute named as the single greatest American movie hero of all-time. This film opened the eyes of many to what the power of dignity, principles, and forthrightness can accomplish in the face of oppression, ignorance and racism. In this regard, To Kill a Mockingbird provided inspiration for the American Civil Rights Movement that was moving toward critical mass at the time.

Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

The Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis, and high command of the US political and military infrastructure, all perfectly satirized by Stanley Kubrick and Peter Sellers.

The Sound of Music (1965)

With perhaps the most cinematic opening shots ever, The Sound of Music is the third highest grossing film of all-time (after adjusting for inflation) thanks largely to its sweeping, majestic photography, Julie Andrews angelic singing voice, and the masterful songwriting of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Goldfinger (1964)

There were two earlier screen adaptations of Ian Fleming spy novels (Dr. No and From Russia with Love) but Goldfinger was the first to really zero in on the formula for a successful James Bond film -- girls, guns and gadgets. The result: a huge hit at the box office (the fifth highest grossing film of the decade) that propelled the popularity of the 007 character to all-time highs. Gert Frobe as Auric Goldfinger remains one of the most memorable villains in film history and Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore is still the ultimate “Bond Girl”.

THE Defining Film of the 1960s:

The Graduate (1967)

The sixties saw the rise of counter-culture and railing against traditional thinking, lifestyles and conventions. Films like Easy Rider, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Bonnie and Clyde celebrated this and perpetuated the idea of the antihero. But in its own, more subtle way, The Graduate also had a lot to say about bucking prevailing mores and rejecting America’s “plastic” society. 

Related Posts:
Defining Films of the Decades - The 50's
Defining Films of the Decades - The 40's
Defining Films of the Decades - The 30's

Defining Films of the Decades - The 50's

Here's Part 3 in my 8-part series, "The Defining Films of the Decades."

Runners Up

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

With the two previous decades being dominated by the war effort and the Great Depression respectively, the 1950's marked the first time Americans had the time or inclination to acknowledge teenagers and their place in society. Rebel established Dean as the embodiment of America’s youth and the country’s biggest teen idol.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

In this film adaptation of the Tennessee Williams stage play, Marlon Brando’s explosive performance keenly resonated with audiences, as did those of co-stars Vivian Leigh, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden (all of whom won Academy Awards for their roles.)

Some Like it Hot (1959)

With the possible exceptions of James Dean and Elvis, Marilyn Monroe is the most enduring pop culture figure from the 1950's. She gave one her most memorable performances in this wildly popular Billy Wilder comedy.

On the Waterfront (1954)

Brando strikes again. The best actor of his generation in perhaps the finest of the decade’s many gritty, working class dramas.

THE Defining Film of the 1950's:

The Ten Commandments (1956) 

Credit the enduring popularity of this film to its all-star cast (Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Debra Paget, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, etc.) and the sheer scope of this epic’s production. The Ten Commandments was the highest grossing live-action film of the decade and director Cecil B. DeMille’s depiction of the parting of the Red Sea remains one of the most iconic scenes in the history of cinema.

Related Posts:
Defining Films of the Decades - The 60's
Defining Films of the Decades - The 40's
Defining Films of the Decades - The 30's

Remembering James Dean

Defining Films of the Decades - The 40's

Here is Part 2 in this 8-part series:

Runners Up

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Henry Fonda’s moving portrayal as beaten but not bowed Tom Joad reflected the plight of millions of Americans in the forties who were still suffering the effects of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Quite simply, a textbook for modern, expressionistic filmmaking. Director Orson Welles innovative work in cinematography (including his use of deep focus and low angle and crane shots) was daringly bold, as there was no way to know what critics and audiences would make of it. Welles broke similar ground in the art of film editing (using it to compress time) and sound mixing (as a way to provide continuity and demonstrate contrast.) The end result was a film of unmatched technical achievement that presented its characters and story in ways audiences had never experienced prior.

Double Indemnity (1944)

Billy Wilder’s classic was one of the most critically acclaimed and influential of the film noir (“dark film”) genre that turned the movie industry on its ear by challenging Hollywood's Production Code and presenting stories that explored murder, sex, adultery, and other elements of society that until that time, had either been romanticized or ignored by filmmakers.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

This movie’s theme and storyline has been borrowed for dozens of subsequent films (Mr. Destiny, The Family Man, Click) and TV shows (episodes of Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Cheers, Married With Children, and Moonlighting) and it’s been a beloved holiday classic for decades.

THE Defining Film of the 1940's:

Casablanca (1942)
One of the most overrated films of all time that’s still somehow left an indelible impression on our popular culture -- in part due to Humphrey Bogart’s iconic characterization of boozy, cynical club owner Rick Blaine; the classic Herman Hupfeld composition “As Time Goes By”; and the film’s enduring quotability (“Of all the gin joints…”, “Here’s looking at you kid”, “This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship”, etc.)

Related Posts:

Defining Films of the Decades - The 60's

Defining Films of the Decades - The 50's

Defining Films of the Decades - The 30's

Defining Films of the Decades - The 30's

Was listening to Bill Simmons' podcast recently, as he spoke with writer/reporter Chris Connelly. The two were debating what they believed to be "the defining film of this decade", with the criteria being excellence, re-watchability, and creativity. Simmons mentioned Almost Famous -- which is positively ridiculous. Think about it, the defining movie of this decade is set in the 1970's?...  

I'm hereby adding new criteria to the mix -- to "define" a decade, a film needs to be in some way inherently "in and of" that particular decade. In some way, it needs to reveal or reflect the decade's current events, social issues, trends, tastes, mores, creative sensibilities or significant artistic styles. Don't get me wrong, I'm not specifically excluding historical dramas, period pieces, or any other films, but come on... a decade's "defining" film should have qualities that identify or represent the prevailing nature, qualities and characteristics of that decade (or at least the prevailing nature, qualities and characteristics of filmmaking during that decade.)

With this in mind, I'm starting a new series with my own list of the defining films of the decades, beginning with the 1930's.

Runners Up 

King Kong (1933) 

The giant ape on top of the Empire State Building is one of the most enduring film images in all of early cinema. King Kong pioneered the use of special effects (including miniatures, rear projection, and the stop-motion animation) that would eventually evolve into today’s CGI and dazzled audiences in the process. The film was also one of the very first to feature a completely original score.

Top Hat (1935) 

The 30's were the golden age of the grand Hollywood musical. Top Hat was the classiest of these and introduced the song "Cheek to Cheek" by legendary composer Irving Berlin. 

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 

Taking a stand against government corruption and bureaucracy, Jimmy Stewart, as in many of his films, was the personification of the 1930's everyman. 

Gone With the Wind (1939) 

When you adjust for inflation, remarkably, this 70 year old epic is still the highest grossing movie of all time. 

THE Defining Film of the 1930's:

The Wizard of Oz (1939) 

A nearly perfect film in every respect, from the casting, to the costumes, to the score, and it’s lasting moral –- no matter where you go in life, there’s no place like home. 

Related Posts:

Defining Films of the Decades - The 60's 

Defining Films of the Decades - The 50's 

Defining Films of the Decades - The 40's