The impassioned response to my record of the 100 best movies ever in Weekend on February 10 is tremendously gratifying.
Not everybody was fully well mannered about my decisions versus theirs, however what that demonstrates is how engaged all of us are with the flicks we like.
It’s marvellous to be reminded how a lot nice cinema issues to so many people. In all, greater than 500 titles had been talked about, with various levels of indignation, which exhibits that it’s inconceivable to discover a Prime 100 that pleases everybody.
Brian’s unique record in February, which you’ll be able to nonetheless see at mailplus.co.uk/100films
I knew The Shawshank Redemption could be my most provocative omission, which I confess is partly why I did it. I love its many virtues as a strong celebration of hope and the human spirit, however I’ve at all times discovered it overly sentimental, mawkish even, and Morgan Freeman’s voiceover makes me wince.
There we’re. These items are nothing if not subjective. I have a look at a few of your decisions, movies I overlooked, and marvel why I did. Nonetheless, I’m sticking to my weapons, although to not my Weapons Of Navarone. That was a kind of I used to be castigated for overlooking, however I make no apology for it.
If I compiled my record once more now I nonetheless wouldn’t discover room for The Italian Job, Forrest Gump, The Nice Escape or Titanic, all of which moved readers to write down in. That doesn’t imply I don’t like and even love these photos, by the best way (although not Titanic, which invariably makes me want the iceberg would strike a bit sooner).
With different decisions, resembling Physician Zhivago, Goodfellas, The African Queen and Now, Voyager, I might be persuaded to rethink. However which of mine would I take away? It’s an endlessly entertaining train. Thanks for taking part in a component in it.
So right here then is your record of the Prime 20 movies you felt I ought to have included, and your the explanation why…
1. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star as convicts in The Shawshank Redemption
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star as convicts who develop into mates on this adaptation of a Stephen King story.
Nominated for seven Oscars, it didn’t win one and was not a box-office success, however it grew to become an enormous word-of-mouth hit.
‘A superb, good feeling movie.’ Terry Eldred
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
2. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in Physician Zhivago
David Lean’s epic love story featured Omar Sharif and Julie Christie.
It’s well-known for its set items, music and wintry Russian landscapes, though the first location was in reality Spain, which sadly skilled its warmest winter for 50 years.
‘It was the one movie I went to the cinema to see 4 occasions – it had the lot.’ Jean Gratton
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
3. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon (above, centre) star in Saving Non-public Ryan
The relentless opening sequence depicting the horror of the Normandy landings was filmed by Steven Spielberg over 15 days at Ballinesker Seaside in County Wexford. Tom Hanks and Matt Damon star.
‘The camerawork is unmatched and provides an actual “being there” really feel to the horrors of struggle.’ Peter Flanagan
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
4. THE GREEN MILE (1999)
One other adaptation of a Stephen King jail story from Frank Darabont, the person behind The Shawshank Redemption, however this one has a supernatural factor.
Tom Hanks performs a guard answerable for dying row in a Louisiana jail, with Michael Clarke Duncan as a mild big prisoner.
‘A contemporary basic’, says Simon Hawke.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
5. GLADIATOR (2000)
A slimmed-down, muscled-up Russell Crowe, plus Oliver Reed in his remaining position (he died throughout filming), star in Ridley Scott’s Roman extravaganza.
‘A rollercoaster journey with fantastic performing’, says Stephen Downing.
On Netflix, or purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
6. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
Kevin Costner in stirring Nineties western Dancing With Wolves
Kevin Costner starred in, produced and made his directorial debut with this stirring Western.
Due to the movie’s optimistic influence on the picture of Native Individuals, Costner was honoured ‘on behalf of the Indian Lakota nation’.
‘Our primary movie.’ Jan and Terry Wedgbury
Obtainable on DVD or Apple.
7. GOODFELLAS (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s horrific epic about gangsters in New York with Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and a chilling Joe Pesci.
‘I’ve watched this a lot I can recite the dialogue, a lot to my late husband’s annoyance’, writes Carole Oswin.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
8. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn in The African Queen
Humphrey Bogart gained his solely Oscar taking part in the dirty steamship captain who has an unlikely love affair with Katharine Hepburn’s puritanical missionary after they’re thrown collectively on his boat.
‘An absolute basic that has all of it – drama, romance and comedy’, says John Hames.
Purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
9. THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963)
This wartime basic is filled with memorable moments and characters such because the blind prisoner performed by Donald Pleasence, an ex-PoW himself.
‘Everybody ought to see this no less than as soon as’ says John Tsang.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
10. ET (1982)
With the road, ‘ET, cellphone dwelling’, aliens proved they are often cute as one befriends a lonely boy.
‘A hit for Spielberg, significantly better than his Jaws’, says Robin Powell.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
11. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
Fleeing from a crop duster airplane and chasing throughout Mount Rushmore are simply two of the unforgettable set-pieces as Cary Grant performs an promoting government who’s mistaken for a spy.
‘Hitchcock at his most good greatest, I noticed it at Radio Metropolis Cinema in New York in 1959′ says Roger Mautner.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
12. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960)
‘They had been seven, they fought like seven hundred,’ learn the poster for this story of a gaggle of gunfighters employed to free a village from bandits.
‘One of many best Westerns ever’ opines Terry Hone.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, and Sky.
13. FORREST GUMP (1994)
The digitally created scenes – resembling Forrest dancing as a baby whereas Elvis performs guitar – gained this movie the Oscar for Finest Visible Results.
‘Uplifting and a terrific efficiency from Tom Hanks’ says Barry Lenton.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
14. THE ITALIAN JOB (1969)
Michael Caine, Mini Coopers, a £4million heist and a literal cliffhanger ending make this 60s crime caper a basic.
‘British comedy and satire at its greatest’, argues Martin Sheldrick.
Paramount+, purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky
15. ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984)
Sergio Leone was well-known for his spaghetti Westerns however his final movie was an epic story of gangsters.
‘The best rating’ in response to Kevan Sales space.
On Disney+, purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
16. A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946)
Designed to clean over strained Anglo-American relations, a British pilot is able to soar from a burning airplane when he falls in love with the voice of an American radio operator.
‘With its mixture of romance, fantasy and struggle drama, it’s distinctive’ says Tony McNamara.
On ITVX Premium, or purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
17. TITANIC (1997)
Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in James Cameron’s 1997 basic Titanic
James Cameron’s movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet a couple of forbidden romance on board the sinking ship was the most costly manufacturing on the time (with a finances of greater than $200million) and gained 11 Oscars.
‘An ideal movie’ says Graham Melville.
On Disney+, otherwise you purchase or hire it on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
18. NOW, VOYAGER (1942)
Bette Davis in Now, Voyager
Bette Davis goes from ugly duckling to swan when she escapes her domineering mom on this emotional melodrama. It was her greatest box-office hit.
‘A superb movie to not be missed. I by no means tire of it’ says Patricia Mullaley.
On BBC iPlayer till April 15, or purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
19. GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946)
If you consider the Dickens novel, photographs of foggy marshes and Miss Havisham’s mansion in David Lean’s movie come to thoughts. John Mills, Jean Simmons and Alec Guinness lead the solid.
‘Essentially the most excellent movie ever made’ says Angela Redmond.
On ITVX Premium, or hire on Amazon, Apple and BFI Participant.
20. MARY POPPINS (1964)
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins
This musical a couple of nanny who saves a household made a star of Julie Andrews.
‘A merely fantastic movie – carry on the penguins!’ Brian Clegg.
On Disney+, or purchase or hire on Amazon, Sky, Apple and Rakuten TV.
21. GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
A forward-thinking love story starring Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy (in his remaining movie) and Katharine Hepburn.
‘I really like the anti-racism message and the standard of performing’, says Lynne Ellis.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
22. RYAN’S DAUGHTER (1970)
David Lean’s Irish-set romantic drama starring Sarah Miles, Trevor Howard and John Mills, who gained the Oscar for Finest Supporting Actor in a Supporting Position.
‘I adore it, however that’s purely private as I really like the west of Eire’ says Lorna Roberts.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
23. REBECCA (1940)
This Hitchcock thriller is customized from the haunting Daphne du Maurier story
Laurence Olivier stars as a brooding aristocrat and Joan Fontaine as his younger second spouse within the first of Hitchcock’s American-made movies, tailored from the haunting Daphne du Maurier story.
‘It has all of it.’ Carole Ford
Free to look at on YouTube
24. THE CRUEL SEA (1953)
In The Merciless Sea, Lt Commander George Ericson and his crew members got down to save British convoys threatened by German U-boats within the North Atlantic
Jack Hawkins takes management of HMS Compass Rose, despatched to escort convoys of retailers threatened by German U-boats. Additionally stars Donald Sinden and Denholm Elliott.
‘With an all-star solid, Jack Hawkins offers a shocking efficiency backed up by excellent images.’ Neville Withers.
Purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
25. HOBSON’S CHOICE (1954)
Three daughters battle to flee the clutches of their overbearing father, performed by Charles Laughton. Additionally stars John Mills, who referred to as it his favorite movie, and a younger Prunella Scales.
‘Three nice tour de pressure performances from John Mills, Charles Laughton and Brenda de Banzie.’ Roger Fownes.
Stream on Channel 4 till 22 April, however or hire on Amazon and Apple.
26. THE TERMINATOR (1984)
The struggle is on to cease a cyborg killing machine disguised as a human that’s programmed to kill a girl and her unborn son. With Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. Was adopted in 1991 by Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
‘A unbelievable movie and Arnie was born to play the position! An ideal story with an underlying, virtually prophetic, message of humanity’s therapy of one another.’ Lee Brooker.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
27. THE QUIET MAN (1952)
John Wayne leads the solid as a boxer who leaves America to return to his native Eire.
Bother ensues when he falls for a neighborhood woman performed by Maureen O’Hara in a movie that mixes a love story with comedy and a terrific struggle scene. John Ford gained the Oscar for Finest Director.
‘An all time basic with an excellent solid displaying John Wayne wasn’t only a cowboy.’ Alan Hill.
Purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
28. GET CARTER (1971)
When his brother dies mysteriously, London gangster Jack Carter (performed by Michael Caine) heads north to Newcastle to analyze.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
29. DIRTY DANCING (1987)
Frances ‘Child’ Houseman grows up quick as she falls in love with Johnny, the dashing dance teacher, whereas on her summer season break.
Stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray. ‘It could not have modified the world however it continues to offer pleasure, unforgettable traces (“Nobody places Child within the nook!”) and Patrick Swayze in his prime’, says Linda Sharman.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
30. COOL HAND LUKE (1967)
Paul Newman performs a prisoner who refuses to play by the principles even when despatched to solitary confinement and turns into a hero to his fellow inmates.
‘Certainly one of Hollywood’s greatest-ever stars, supported by a superb solid.’ John Clark
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
31. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra star within the romance set in wartime Hawaii that features that well-known seaside scene. Received eight Oscars.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
32. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (1978)
Midnight Specific is a 1978 jail drama directed by Alan Parker
Alan Parker’s thriller a couple of younger American (Brad Davis) caught smuggling medication and banged up in a Turkish jail that was billed as ‘a real story of triumph.’
‘A superb movie.’ Sue Web page
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky
33. MISSISSIPPI BURNING (1988)
Willem Dafoe and Gene Hackman star in Mississippi Burning
Two FBI brokers are despatched right into a small Mississippi city to analyze when a gaggle of civil rights employees goes lacking.
Stars Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe and Frances McDormand. ‘Contains exceptional performing from the extraordinary Frances McDormand. If she was British she could be a Dame by now’ says Clement O’Donovan.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
34. WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968)
Warfare movie from the Alistair MacLean ebook with a rare solid together with Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Mary Ure endeavor a daring raid on a German mountaintop fortress.
‘The opening credit alone, with their excellent music, set the scene for an extremely well-thought-out and entertaining story. Some of the watchable movies ever made,’ argues Doug Stephenson.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
35. CALAMITY JANE (1953)
This musical Western options Doris Day as Calamity Jane
Whip crack away! Doris Day offers the lads a run for his or her cash and might outdraw and outride each considered one of them till she meets Wild Invoice Hickok, performed by Howard Keel, within the wonderful musical Western.
‘The very best opening sequence of any movie ever made.’ Brian Clegg.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
36. THE BIG COUNTRY (1958)
Gregory Peck performs a sea captain who retires to the American West to marry his fiancee solely to be drawn right into a feud over land and water rights.
Additionally stars Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston and an Oscar-winning Burl Ives.
Purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
37. SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992)
A younger pupil agrees to babysit a blind veteran (Al Pacino) anticipating a quiet time – as an alternative the weekend entails ladies, good meals, tremendous wine, and a spectacular tango with Gabrielle Anwar.
‘Al Pacino’s portrayal of blind, pissed off struggle hero, Frank Slade, is each pleasant and unhappy to look at.’ Jenefer Edwards
On Amazon Prime Video, or you possibly can hire on Apple.
38. THE GODFATHER II (1974)
The second in Coppola’s collection acts as each a sequel and a prequel and gained six Oscars. It follows the story of Michael Corleone, performed by Al Pacino, and in addition the backstory of his father, performed by Robert De Niro.
Obtainable on Paramount Plus, or purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
39. BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)
This movie tells the story of the Russian Revolution of 1905
Sergei Eisenstein’s epic story of the mutiny on board the battleship Potemkin in the course of the Russian Revolution of 1905, paradoxically most well-known for its land-based scene displaying the violently quelled demonstration on the Odessa Steps.
‘Horrifyingly compelling in content material and approach.’ PJR Trout
On BFI Participant, purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple.
40. BULLITT (1968)
Steve McQueen stars on this 1968 motion thriller
Strap in for this motion thriller as maverick San Francisco cop Steve McQueen speeds off on a automotive chase.
Additionally stars Jacqueline Bissett and Robert Vaughn. ‘Though the French Connection had a terrific automotive chase, Bullitt was its equal and had a extra fascinating narrative.’ Jean Turner
Purchase or hire on Apple, Amazon, Rakuten TV and Sky
41. CINEMA PARADISO (1988)
A love letter to cinema with the story of a younger boy who finds a haven from his war-torn Sicilian village within the native cinema. It gained the Oscar for Finest International Movie.
‘The clue is within the identify.’ Dougal Cross
On Amazon Freevee, or you should purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
42. THE LADYKILLERS (1955)
Alec Guinness leads a gang of oddball criminals who fake to be classical musicians and use a candy previous girl as a bewildered decoy. Additionally stars Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers.
‘The best of the Ealing Comedies, with a completely sterling solid.’ Bruce Hanson.
Purchase or hire on Apple, Amazon and Sky .
43. PAPILLON (1973)
A safecracker and a counterfeiter be part of forces on this story of an escape from a brutal penal colony in French Guiana tailored from the bestselling ebook by Henri Charriere, who was himself as soon as a prisoner there.
‘Display legend Steve McQueen in an absolute corker of a movie with Dustin Hoffman because the supporting actor’ says Robin M. Powell.
On Prime Video, or you should purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
44. LA CONFIDENTIAL (1997)
It was Kim Basinger who gained this movie’s Oscar for Finest Actress in a Supporting Position, within the story of three very completely different cops investigating a homicide, in an adaptation of a James Ellroy story. Additionally stars Russell Crowe, Man Pearce and Kevin Spacey.
On Prime Video and Disney+, or purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
45. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman as two hustlers, one a male prostitute, the opposite the con man ‘Ratso’, develop into unlikely mates on this John Schlesinger movie that gained three Oscars together with Finest Image and Finest Director.
‘An excellent movie, forward of its time.’ Andrew Meese-Kennedy.
Purchase or hire on Apple.
46. SOUTH PACIFIC (1958)
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical romance is ready throughout World Warfare II
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical romance set throughout World Warfare II involves life because of bubbly Mitzi Gaynor and the charming Rossano Brazzi.
‘Great, with among the finest songs ever written, Some Enchanted Night,’ says Lorna Roberts.
Purchase or hire Amazon and Apple.
47. BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)
Michael J Fox goes time-travelling as Marty McFly courtesy of his loopy inventor pal Doc Brown (performed by Christopher Lloyd) and a rushing DeLorean within the Robert Zemeckis basic.
On Sky/Now, or purchase or hire on Amazon and Apple.
48. THE ODD COUPLE (1968)
Neurotic Felix and fun-loving Oscar, performed by Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, resolve to reside collectively on this comedy written by Neil Simon and primarily based on his 1965 play. ‘Probably the greatest movies ever’ says Susan Stoneman.
On Paramount Plus, or you possibly can hire on Apple.
49. BLADE RUNNER (1982)
Harrison Ford is pressured again to his job as a hunter of humanoid Replicants when a gaggle of them escapes, in Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Philip Okay. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electrical Sheep?
Additionally stars Rutger Hauer and Sean Younger, and options music by Vangelis. ‘Probably the greatest sci-fi movies ever made’ says Meral Ince.
Purchase or hire on Amazon and Rakuten TV.
50. GREASE (1978)
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star on this all-singing, all-dancing musical love story
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and a few summer season lovin’ singing and dancing classics. ‘Each time I watch it it offers me the feel-good issue and leaves me smiling for the remainder of the day,’ says Betty Rout.
On Paramount Plus, or you should purchase or hire on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
