As we look back through the history of cinematography there were some amazing periods in movie production. It’s difficult to choose which films to choose when naming the best of all time. There are so many different genres and categories. What criteria should be used when deciding how to rate movies? Should they be ranked according to popularity according to polls and surveys or should box office success be a leading factor? If you were to ask a thousand people to choose the 5 greatest movies ever made, the lists would very likely include a few similarities, but far more differences. The answers could vary in accordance with the person’s age, their personal likes and dislikes and their level of experience in watching movies. Whether you agree or disagree, we’ve selected the top five that have been voted upon as the greatest movies ever made by a cross section of the current population of viewers.
The Complete Canonical Star Wars Saga
Prior to 1977, there were no Star Wars films. this is the year that kicked off the first installment of the saga that began somewhere in the middle with a young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in a hurry to join the rebellion against the evil Empire. The first film started out slow, but this was necessary to build in important details that would become vital as the story unfolds over several decades. What was one film soon became a trilogy, that advanced yet further to include multiple installments, each with yet more information on the backstories of the characters while adding exciting new plots that left viewers hanging at the end of the movie. Hands down, we must admit that the Star Wars Saga, although more than just one film, is the ultimate science fiction, fantasy action and drama movie that has ever been conceived and created. It’s nothing short of sheer genius. “May the force be with you,” became a catch phrase that is still used among fans.
Casablanca
We must pay homage to an era where film makers were trying new things in the cinematic realm. Experimentation with angles and lighting were still in their infancy but had advanced to a noticeable difference when compared with previous efforts. Casablanca will remain a classic through all the ages as one of the greatest movies ever made. The film was inspired by the Murray Burnett and Joan Allison play “Everybody Comes to Ricks.” Even though many people who raved about the new film are no longer with us, it’s stood the test of time that appeals to all generations. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were at the pinnacle of their illustrious careers and the film launched them both, cementing their places forever in super stardom. It’s an unforgettable film that comes in second place, arguably for some, but overall, it still remains near the top of the list of the greatest movies ever made.
The Exorcist
Whether you’re a fan of horror films or not, there is no denying that The Exorcist is one of the greatest movies ever made. Linda Blair gives a brilliant yet shocking performance that was disturbing for many viewers, yet many returned for more and just couldn’t seem to get enough. Parents prohibited their children from watching it, but as soon as they were able, many found a way to at least watch the movie once in their lives. The film is based upon the William Peter Blatty book of thee same title. Blair and co-star Ellen Burstyn received Oscar nominations for their performances. This film has maintained a high position on the favorite list, or at least the most unforgettable category of all movies ever made and it deserves the third place ranking in our collection.
Planet of the Apes
This block buster film was one of the most popular movies to hit the big screen. It helped that starring in the first installment was none other than Charlton Heston, who in his own right has starred in multiple films through his heyday that would qualify as classics, including Ben Hur, among others. Planet of the Apes is the first film in the franchise that gives us a look at what the world would be like if Apes evolved into creatures with intellectual capacity that exceeds that of humans. In the main plot of the story, a nuclear catastrophe displaced mankind and Apes evolved into a superior position in the evolutionary chain, with humans taking an inferior position. The movie is inspired by Pierre Boulle‘s La Planete des Singes. The franchise continued on with multiple sequels with the most recent, War for the Planet of the Apes, being released in 2017.
Bride of Frankenstein
Reaching back into the archives of best classic films, is Bride of Frankenstein. This movie was made as a sequel on the heels of James Whale‘s Frankenstein from 1931. Bride of Frankenstein was released in 1935 and featured realistic portrayals of the creatures that scared the daylights out of viewers in the 1930s and beyond. Fans of classic movies still enjoy watching this movie still.