While there’s an argument to be made that these movies aren’t old, simply classic, there’s no question that they were made quite a long time ago. From pre-Code pictures that broke the boundaries of Hollywood to films that came out in the late 1950s, like12 Angry Men, when filmmakers were grappling with the world in the wake of World War II, these projects have inspired generations of movie-makers. When first exploring older movies and discovering what they have to offer,these titles are a great place to start and are widely discussed in film circles.
Many iconicmovie actors from Hollywood’s Golden Ageare featured in these works, with several actors appearing more than once on the list. Directors, then and now, often preferred to work with the same performers once they’ve developed a short-hand and strong working relationship. This is the case with many of the filmmakers and actors in these projects, who collaborated many times over. While these movies are a great place to start, they’re just the beginning of what defines classic cinema and are a jumping-off point for further exploration.
Humphrey Bogart might be the most famous film noir leading man of all time,andThe Maltese Falconmakes a good case for why he should be. Mary Astory is his femme fatale, Ruth, who double-crosses him at every turn, though he can’t help falling in love with her. Every moment ofThe Maltese Falconis suspense done right, from Bogart’s work as Sam Spade to the complex mystery chock-full of red herrings and misdirects that will have you questioning everything.
There are many additions to the genre, so it’s hard to know where to start, butThe Maltese Falcontows the line between complex and accessible, making for the perfect introduction.
All of Humphrey Bogart’s film noir moviesshowcase a different side of the actor, but when audiences think of the archetype of the hard-boiled detective, they’re often imagining Sam Spade inThe Maltese Falconor Philip Marlowe inThe Big Sleep. There are many additions to the genre, so it’s hard to know where to start, butThe Maltese Falcontows the line between complex and accessible, making for the perfect introduction. It helps that Bogart remains a recognizable icon to this day.
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When it comes to courtroom dramas, few are as definitive as12 Angry Men. In both modern movies and contemporary legal drama TV shows,the legacy and influence of12 Angry Menis sharply felt.There’s little question that12 Angry Menis a slow-paced and dialogue-heavy film, but this doesn’t stop it from being heart-pounding by the film’s final moments. The characters, known only by their juror numbers, spend the entire story debating the innocence of a young man on trial for murder.
The shadow of12 Angry Menhaunts all thebest modern courtroom drama movies, as conversations of bias, due process, and the importance of reasonable doubt are strong themes throughout the film. Though12 Angry Menhas a lot to say about the American legal system,its narrative extends outside the courtroom,showcasing the cultural and social issues that influence people’s behavior, both then and now.12 Angry Menis an evocative drama that has stayed relevant today.
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ThoughRear Windowis a little more recent compared to some of the oldest movies on the list, it’s impossible to talk about classic cinema without bringing up Hitchcock.Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are at their best inRear Window,arguably Hitchcock’s most atmospheric thriller that plays with the act of looking, putting it in direct conversation with cinema itself. Voyeurism is a theme explored by many movies, as it’s so inherent to film, but few tackle this as well asRear Window.
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If audiences are hesitant to start with an older movie in black and white,Rear Windowis a great way to test the waters of older cinema without feeling too alienated from it. Hitchcock uses the color palette and production design beautifully inRear Window, as so much of the film takes place in a single apartment.There’s no fluff or unnecessary moments inRear Window,with each moment and line of dialogue seamlessly pulling you deeper into the narrative.
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Though there have been many takes onKing Kong,the 1933 version is a classic of the monster movie genre and is perfect for any fan of contemporary adaptations.Many of the tropes of the monster movie genre that are well-known today originated in the 1933King Kong, which might have some dated visual effects, but they’re pretty good for the early 1930s. Many of the gruesome and explicit scenes inKing Kongpushed the boundaries of Hollywood despite the fact that it was already a pre-Code film.
However, these are the parts ofKing Kongthat make it so arresting today, as the project was immersed in the action and adventure that defines so much of movie-making in the modern era. Pure fun and committed to being sensational,King Kongis an early example of what action-adventure movies would become, allowing it to stand the test of time. Thoughsome parts of the film are dated and seem more campy than scary today,this doesn’t makeKing Kongany less enjoyable.
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Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable exemplify the meaning of chemistry inIt Happened One Night,the movie that essentially created the romantic comedy. Frank Capra, considered one of the most important American directors of all time, combined screwball and romance inIt Happened One Nightand changed cinema forever. It’s hard to say how much filmmaking changed afterIt Happened One Night, but there’s little question that it’s shaped more than just the movies.
It Happened One Nightmight seem tame by today’s standards, but the edge and wit that propels the story can still be felt many years later.
As a pre-Code film,It Happened One Nightis much more frank about sex and relationships than most classic movies, as it didn’t have the iron-clad restrictions that would censor much of Hollywood for years to come. The infamous hitchhiking scene in which Colbert pulls up her skirt to attract a car has gone down in history as a pivotal moment.It Happened One Nightmight seem tame by today’s standards, but the edge and wit that propels the story can still be felt many years later.
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Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart make a striking love triangle inThe Philadelphia Story, the film that’s been credited with making Hepburn a star.Many of the collaborations between Grant and Hepburn are models for the modern rom-com,butThe Philadelphia Storyis so sharp and ahead of its time it could’ve come out just yesterday. Both hilarious and unabashedly romantic,The Philadelphia Storywas heralded for its script.
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The Philadelphia Storywould later be adapted into a movie musical,High Society,starring Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, but the original is the best iteration of the story. From the incredible chemistry between Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart to the direction by George Cukor, a director who frequently collaborated with Hepburn,The Philadelphia Storyis almost perfect in every way. Even the dated elements are modest compared to many of its contemporaries.
A landmark exploration of class and the transitional period following World War II,The Best Years of Our Livesis as touching as it is heartbreaking. The way thatThe Best Years of Our Livestackles the cultural and social misalignment between being at war and then being required to resume normal lifepaved the way for later additions to the genre. Brilliantly acted by an ensemble cast that includes Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, and Fredric March,The Best Years of Our Liveswas instantly regarded as a classic.
Some older movies are showered with accolades only to be quickly forgotten, butThe Best Years of Our Liveshas stood the test of time.
Sensitive, vulnerable, and emotional,The Best Years of Our Livesswept awards season in 1947, but the film was far from a flash in the pan. Some older movies are showered with accolades only to be quickly forgotten, butThe Best Years of Our Liveshas stood the test of time. For anyone interested in war films as well as domestic dramas,The Best Years of Our Livesstraddles the line of both and offers both hope and reflection about the state of the world in the aftermath of global conflict.
Often imitated but never duplicated, Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece,Seven Samurai, is a story most audiences know well because its timeless and universal nature has led to many remakes and references to the film in history. Though many of these projects pay tribute to the original, nothing can beatSeven Samuraiin terms of execution and status. Often referred to as the movie that cemented Kurosawa as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time,Seven Samuraiis the perfect introduction to the samurai genre for those unfamiliar with this body of work.
Seven Samuraicame out not long after Kurosawa’s 1950 movie,Rashomon,another classic that the director gifted to the world. However,Seven Samuraiis the perfect film to start with because it will immediately connect to viewers familiar with contemporary Western and action movies since they borrow so much fromSeven Samurai. When watchingSeven Samurai, you’ll notice many classic tropes and moments found in modern movies, butSeven Samuraiwas the first to use these.
The classic film noirDouble Indemnitystars Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray as Phyllis and Walter,the femme fatale and insurance salesman who gets tangled up with her. There are many reasons whyDoubly Indemnityis among the best film noirs of the period, but the performances by Stanwyck and MacMurrary are a large part of it. Stylish and vivid,Double Indemnityis a tense thriller that makes the audience question if it’s possible to get away with murder.
Despite its slower pace,Double Indemnityeasily holds the audience’s attention and is a clear inspiration for many contemporary crime thrillers.
Despite its slower pace,Double Indemnityeasily holds the audience’s attention and is a clear inspiration for many contemporary crime thrillers. The direction by Billy Wilder, also known for classics likeSunset Boulevard,Some Like It Hot, and many more, takesDouble Indemnityto the next level. The use of light and shadow is a masterclass in cinema, as Wilder understands how to use blocking and dramatic irony to his advantage both visually and through the plot. If you’re going to watch any film noir,Double Indemnityshould be high on the list.
8 1/2is one of Federico Fellini’s best movies and is considered mandatory viewing within the Italian cinema canon. Incorporating elements of surrealism, magical realism, and many meta-textual references to Fellini’s experience making the film and his life as an artist,8 1/2is the definitive exploration of the cost of art.Starring Marcello Mastroianni as Guido, a movie director who serves as a self-insert for Fellini,8 1/2follows his journey to craft his magnum opus, mimicking Fellini’s work in reality.
You could point to almost any Fellini film and argue that it’s a great introduction to Italian cinema. Since8 1/2has been widely discussed and written about countless times, it gives audiences plenty of opportunities to delve into the self-referential world that Fellini crafts.As much as Fellini is sympathetic to his story and reverent of art, he’s just as critical of his past,providing plenty of references to the harsh reviews he faced at the time and giving them their due.
8 1/2 (1963)
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