Why do movies become iconic? Film critics offer their selection criteria, such as an award at a well-deserved film festival, box office, innovation in the artistic part of the picture, technical achievements, and impact on the culture of society. But there is also the love of the audience, transmitted by generations, their individual passions. And when the high marks of film critics and viewers are united in one specific film, then he gets on the list of the best and does not leave him. Legend films do not replace other films in this list of masterpieces, they only replenish it. Below are the films of the legend, the list of which is limited to 10 positions.
10. Gone with the Wind | 1939 year
The legendary picture of 1939 “Gone With the Wind“, Based on the famous novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell, rightfully became the owner of eight Oscars. This is one of the highest grossing films in the history of American cinema. The feature film was loved by viewers around the world and has been heard for a long time. In 1998, Gone With the Wind went on re-release in America.
9. Casablanca | 1942 year
Romantic drama “Casablanca”(1942) became the winner of three Oscars, and in 2006 the script was recognized by the Guild of American Scriptwriters as the best in the history of cinema. The plot of “Casablanca” is built on the internal conflict of the main characters who must choose between duty and feeling. In the hands of one of the main characters of the rich man Ricky Blaine is the fate of Ilse and her husband Victor Lazlo. Ricky is in love with Ilsa, but she left him and married Victor. Now the woman is asking for help from her ex, who could be the salvation of their happiness with Victor.
8. Sunset Boulevard | 1950 year
Dramatic painting by Billy Wilder “Sunset Boulevard”(1950) is the four-time winner of the prestigious Golden Globe Awards and the winner of three Oscars. The film tells about the legendary Hollywood stars that were forgotten. The film was a huge success both among film critics and among the audience. “Sunset Boulevard” is on the list of the best films of all time.
7. Singing in the rain | 1952 year
Musical motion picture “Singing in the rain”(1952) is one of the ten legendary paintings in the entire history of the cinema. The paper highlights the period of the transition of the silent to sound cinema. The focus is on Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), who is a silent movie star. But suddenly the era of sound cinema comes and the actor has to master new horizons. The film voiced more than a dozen songs that were written for Broadway shows.
6. At the port | 1954 year
Crime DramaIn Port”(1954), filmed in the middle of the last century, became an eight-time Oscar winner and holder of many other influential film awards. Cinema experts made the film a list of the greatest paintings in history. The storyline is built on rampant corruption in port loader unions. The main character, Terry Mallow, is a simple, illiterate worker who, like many other docks, is exploited by corrupt owners. The film was based on 24 articles with the general title “Port Crime” published by Malcolm Johnson in The New York Sun. The journalist was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his work.
5. Bridge over the river Kwai | 1957 year
War Drama “Bridge over the River Kwai”(1957) is one of the ten legendary films made by the cinema over the past 100 years. The British picture is the winner of seven Oscars, the owner of three Golden Globe movie awards and four-time BAFTA prize winner. “Bridge over the River Kwai” was shot based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boule. The storyline is based on the real story of Lieutenant Colonel Philip Tusi. In the center of events is Colonel Nicholson and his soldiers, who were captured by the Japanese military. Prisoners are forced to build a bridge over the river Kwai. At the same time, the command appoints an operation to destroy the bridge.
4. Lawrence of Arabia | 1962 year
Epic picture “Lawrence of Arabia”(1962) tells about the events of the Arab uprising that took place in 1916-1918. For 3.5 hours, the viewer observes the development of the life story of British officer T.E. Lawrence, nicknamed “Arabian.” He led the Arab confrontation of the Ottoman Empire. The painting is based on Lawrence's autobiographical work “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” and historical studies of biographers. The film was a huge success and was awarded seven Oscar statuettes and other prestigious film awards. Lawrence of Arabia is recognized as the best British film of the 20th century.
3. Bonnie and Clyde | 1967 year
A legendary film based on real events, “Bonnie and Clyde”(1967) will tell the fate of two brilliant robbers and lovers who operated in America during the Great Depression. They were at the head of an influential local gang. On their account 12 bank robberies and many small shops. The robbers were responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen law enforcement officials and several citizens. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow themselves were killed by police during another robbery.
2. The Godfather | 1972 year
One of the best paintings of all time “Godfather”(1972) is a three-time“ Oscar-winner ”and the owner of many other prestigious film awards. Marlon Brando, who was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a film, refused the prize and sent a representative of the Apache Indian tribe to the stage for delivery. By this, the actor wanted to protest against discrimination against the indigenous population of America. The storyline of the artwork is associated with Michael Carleone (Al Pacino), the youngest son of an influential mafia, referred to as “The Godfather” (Marlon Brando). Michael returns home after the end of World War II. The father offers him to continue the family business, which is not legal. But the son does not want to follow in the footsteps of his cruel parent. The hero has a difficult choice.
1. Schindler's List | 1993 year
Steven Spielberg's legendary film “Schindler's list”(1993) is a seven-time Oscar winner, winner of numerous Golden Globe awards, BAFTA and other awards. The best film of the 20th century tells about the heroism of one of the NSDAP members, Oscar Schindler, who, at the risk of his own reputation and life, helped Jews during the Holocaust. A member of the Nazi party was able to save more than a thousand lives from death. There is information that in the art picture, many historical facts are distorted and have nothing to do with reality. But this did not prevent the film from becoming the best and win the love of the audience. The black and white picture has become the most expensive in the entire history of the cinema.