Pure romance to purest evil: Brian Viner’s top 100 films (pt 3)
ANOTHER week, another ten entries in the list of my 100 favourite English-language films. If, as the countdown continues, you find yourself profoundly disagreeing, or wondering where on earth your own favourite movie is, please drop me a line at filmclassics@
In the meantime, thank you to all those who have already written in. It was especially moving to hear from Jill Foley, who was thrilled to find Laurence Olivier’s 1944 classic Henry V on my list, for the splendid reason that her late husband, Norman Foley, worked on it as a cameraman (and was given the enviable job of looking after Olivier’s wife Vivien Leigh when she turned up on set).
When I get to the Top 10, I’ll run through the list again from 100 down. And don’t forget — all these pictures are available to download, stream or order as DVDs. Happy viewing!
80 Roman Holiday (1953)
WILLIAM WYLER’S unsurpassably charming romantic comedy, the ideal vehicle (along with a Vespa) for Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
79 Finding Nemo (2003)
THE most visually striking of all Pixar animations. It’s a work of beauty, and joyously funny too.
78 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
WRITER-DIRECTOR Wes Anderson’s comedy is a delight from quirky beginning to loopy end. Ralph Fiennes is on glorious form as an effete concierge.
77 Witness (1985)
NOT just a gripping thriller and a moving love story, but a beguiling glimpse into rural Amish life through the eyes of Harrison Ford’s big-city detective (right).
76 To Sir With Love (1967)
STIRRINGLY evocative of time and place, as teacher Sidney Poitier tames a class of tough teens.
75 High Noon (1952)
A MASSIVELY influential Western, beautifully paced in real time, and starr i n g Gary Cooper in his career-defining role.
74 Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
THE first full-length animated feature film and maybe the ultimate statement of Walt Disney’s genius. The original poster has pride of place in my kitchen.
73 Gladiator (2000)
RIDLEY SCOTT’S homage to Fifties classics such as Spartacus. Even in Hollywood’s golden age, Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix would have taken some beating as hero and villain.
72 Boyhood (2014)
RICHARD LINKLATER’s masterpiece, filmed over 12 years, chronicling the growth of an ordinary boy ( Ellar Coltrane). A directorial accomplishment like no other.
71 The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
HORROR? Psychological thriller? Whatever label we put on Jonathan Demme’s supremely tense movie, it is superbly acted by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.