Image 1 from one of our films

Films We’ve Seen

Tell us where else in the South West, Britain, Europe or the world you would find such a wide range of extraordinary quality.

No.

Film

Country

Names

Year

Why?

When
85 The Lives of Others Ger Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck 2006 Cannes-winner, and recent, with a huge number of awards. 8-9 Mar 10
84 Sunset Blvd. USA Billy Wilder, Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim 1950 One of the best films of all time. And Gloria Swanson beat Bette Davis, in All About Eve that we showed in 2008, to the Oscar. You will also remember von Stroheim from Renoir's La Grande Illusion, which we showed in our first year, 2003-4. 8-9 Feb 10
83 North by Northwest USA Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason 1959 At this drab time of year [as it happens, especially this one], one of Hitchcock's most dynamic and entertaining films, set in midsummer below the 49th parallel and inducing the illusion of warmth. It's great! (And Eva Marie Saint was ... well ... not made of wood.) 11-12 Jan 10
82 Born Yesterday USA George Cukor, Judy Holliday, Broderick Crawford, William Holden 1950 From this great director a happy film before Christmas, with that Oscar-winning performance from Judy Holliday, beating Bette Davis in All About Eve, which we saw in 2008. Audience applauded at the end. 7-8 Dec 09
81 Belle de Jour Fr/It Luis Buñuel 1967 One of the greatest and most puzzling films from this extraordinary director, surrealist friend of Salvador Dali. With Catherine Deneuve too! Audience reaction? “An awful film”, said one; “wonderful”, another. I'd stick with perpetually perplexing. 9-10 Nov 09
80 Les Quatre Cents Coups Fr François Truffaut 1959 A landmark film in the Nouvelle Vague, one of Truffaut's best, and a most sympathetic eye on rebellious youth. 12-13 Oct 09
79 Some Like It Hot USA Billy Wilder, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, even George Raft. Wow! 1959 Almost certainly the best crime/comedy of all time - from the USA, at least. The many who came applauded afterwards. The big screen, of course. 15 Sep 09
78 It's a Wonderful Life USA James Steward, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore 1945 It's just a very good, heart-warming film about small-town America and decency versus greed. 17-18 Aug 09
77 Annie Hall USA Woody Allen 1977 In nearly 6 years we had not had a Woody Allen, so it seemed high time to feature one of his more requested. 20-21 Jul 09
76 A Streetcar Named Desire USA Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh 1951 Surprisingly, we have not had Brando before, and this is the intense film that made him. To one scribbler it was a considerable surprise – far broader than the reviews read suggested. And Brando brilliantly played a character for whom one felt considerable sympathy. 22-23 Jun 09
75 Sweet Smell of Success USA Alexander Mackendrick, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis 1957 As a contrast to Mackendrick's Ealing comedies, a 5* film with superb performances from the two principals. This is true film noir. Dilys Powell: “... so superbly is the thing done that one skin crawls.” 25-26 May 09
74 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp GB Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr 1943 At last it had become available for screening. One of the great films from the extraordinary Powell-Pressburger pair who so much influenced British and international cinema. 27-28 Apr 09
73 Jules et Jim Fr François Truffaut, Jeanne Moreau 1961 Anyone who watched real films in the ’60s knows why. This was an iconic film of the time and, of course, it featured one whom Orson Welles described as “the greatest actress in the world”. 30-31 Mar 09
72 Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette) It Vittorio de Sica 1948 The Italian Neo-Realist film that we had been seeking since the start of TWFS, frequently requested by members. Superbly orchestrated, and the acting, by non-professionals, was marvellous. 2-3 Mar 09
71 Cinema Paradiso (Director's Cut) It/Fr Giuseppe Tornatore 1988 In what turned out to be a bleak early February, a heart-warming, sentimental film about cinema in a small town. Actually, much more than that, as it was the Director's Cut. 3 Feb 09
70 The Marriage of Maria Braun WGer Rainer Werner Fassbinder 1978 High time for a German film, for we have seen only one before, in 2005. This prolific director died before he was 40 and left, according to David Thomson (qv), “at least half a dozen extraordinary pictures”. This is unquestionably one of them. 5-6 Jan 09
69 42nd Street USA Lloyd Bacon, Busby Berkeley 1933 A ground-breaking and cheering musical, by the great choreographer, Busby Berkeley. 8-9 Dec 08
68 The Servant Italy Joseph Losey, Dirk Bogarde, James Fox 1963 A most disturbing film about class, weakness, subversion and decay, with very fine performances indeed, particularly from Bogarde, a typically slender script by the late Nobel Prize winner, Harold Pinter, and excellent cinematography. Some thought it, by today's standards, too long. Another never wished to see it again, because it was too powerful. 10-11 Nov 08
67 Roma Città Aperta (Rome, Open City) Italy Rossellini, Fellini, Anna Magnani 1945 The defining example of Italian Neo-realist cinema, by the man who above all defined and developed the style. A very powerful film which introduced new techniques to the cinema screen. 13-14 Oct 08
66 Jésus de Montréal Can/Fr Denys Arcand 1989 A thought-provoking film and our first from Quebec, that state which produces so much original cinema. And what a superb film it turned out to be. Would you believe that we were transfixed in our seats and therefore had to watch the trailer credits? [You must be joking. Ed.] We were. Extraordinarily powerful, and it is a long time since we had such comment from those who came. 15-16 Sep 08
65 The Man Who Knew Too Much GB Alfred Hitchcock 1934 Only our second Hitchcock, and a very highly rated film. Many critics prefer it to Hitchcock's own remake of 1955, which was much longer. Some may have thought that it was dated. As the film was made 74 years ago, that is unquestionable and unavoidable. We are here to see how cinema has developed from its sudden changes. 18-19 Aug 08
64 Blowup GB Michelangelo Antonioni, David Hemmimgs, Vanessa Redgrave 1966 Our first Antonioni, and a celebration of the late 60s in swinging London in this quite mystifying film. 21-22 Jul 08
63 The Big Country USA William Wyler, Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives 1958 Simply a great western which needs a full-size screen, with some excellent performances from top stars. Not to mention the music. Pity about the quality of the picture, which was not the fault of the cinema whose equipment had just been serviced! The DVD supplied to them had obviously been created from a fairly poor print. 23-24 Jun 08
62 Whisky Galore GB Alexander Mackendrick 1949 One of the Ealing Studio greats, and Member's Choice. 26-27 May 08
61 Amarcord It/Fr Federico Fellini 1973 Fellini, of course! But, as RT says, “a superb introduction to the work of a great artist.” Comical, bawdy, but very sympathetic to its characters. 28-29 Apr 08
60 All About Eve USA Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Marilyn Monroe 1950 Bette Davis gave one of her finest performances in a very powerful film which has not dated in substance and never dulled, hugely deserving of all its Oscars and nominations. George Sanders was vintage. 31 Mar, 1 Apr 08
59 The Magnificent Ambersons USA Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten 1950 But for RKO, the studio, this would have been the finest Welles film, better than Citizen Kane. Even so, it is masterly, by the egocentric, unreliable man now considered to be a genius of the cinema. 3-4 Mar 08
58 The Seventh Seal Swe Ingmar Bergman, Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand 1956 The best-known and seminal Bergman film, which brought him to the forefront and expressed his own doubts about a God. Astonishing photography, and superb performances from the able actors with whom he regularly worked. Cannes, of course. 4-5 Feb 08
57 Duck Soup USA The Marx Brothers 1933 The notorious band (the last as a foursome), whom we had not seen since our first year. We thought that they deserved another show in this, reputedly the best of their films, though it was a flop when it first came out. 7-8 Jan 08
56 Meet Me in St Louis USA Vincente Minnelli, Judy Garland 1944 Christmas is near. This was a Christmas film. More importantly, it was a ground-breaking musical by this director, with Judy Garland at her stunning best. The little sister was amazing. 10-11 Dec 07
55 A Bout de Souffle Fr Jean-Luc Godard 1959 Seminal nouvelle vague film featuring Jean-Paul Belmondo and the troubled Jean Seberg. Ranked 15th in the Sight & Sound Critics' Poll 2002. 12-13 Nov 07
54 The Spirit of the Beehive Sp Victor Erice 1973 Films from the 70s have been under-represented recently, as have Spanish films. This has a remarkable reputation. Though slow, it provided some wonderful cinematography. 15-16 Oct 07
53 Black Narcissus GB Powell/Pressburger, Deborah Kerr 1946 Our first Powell & Pressburger, and a remastered copy. We always try to start our new year with an exceptional film, and this was visually stunning. 17-18 Sep 07
52 My Darling Clementine USA John Ford, Henry Fonda 1946 Time for a Western too, and of many films about the OK Corral this seemed the most classic. And so it proved. Greatly enjoyed for its lighting, its humour and its uncomplicated morality. 20-21 Aug 07
51 La Règle du Jeu Fr Jean Renoir 1939 By the great French director, who has a prominent part in it. Rated by many cognoscenti in the top 10 films of all time, and one deserving of several viewings. [Two Renoirs in a season? Tut! Tut! Ed.] 23-24
Jul 07
50 Burnt by the Sun Rus/Fr Nikita Mikhalkov 1994 Time for another Russian film, and a very striking one with an excellent performance from the director as actor, and from his daughter. In colour too. Two awards. “Wonderful” was on the lips of many who came. 25-26
Jun 07
49 L'Armée des Ombres Fr/It Jean-Pierre Melville 1969 Perhaps the finest film from this truly great and surprisingly unknown French director. A tribute to the French Resistance without sentimentality, glamour, or the remotest hint of Hollywood. Incomparable! A footnote ... 28-29
May 07
48 Before Sunrise USA Richard Linklater 1995 Member's Choice: asked for by the TWFS member who won the draw for the right to choose this month's film. By an increasingly respected director, intensely personal. 30 Apr -
1 May 07
47 The Innocents GB Deborah Kerr, Michael Redgrave 1961 We haven't had a horror film before, and this is one of the very best. 2-3
Apr 07
46 Pather Panchali India Satyajit Ray, Ravi Shankar 1955 The first Indian realist film, which won huge acclaim at the time and is still high in critics' top 100s. [One of the very finest films that I have ever seen. Ed.] 5-6
Mar 07
45 Lili USA Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Jean-Pierre Aumont 1952 As a contrast to the sterner stuff we quite often see, for the very considerable charm of the film, and for Leslie Caron’s delicious performance. 5-6
Feb 07
44 Hiroshima mon amour Fr/Jap Alain Resnais 1959 Big stir when it first came out — a new kind of film, non-linear, about memory and time 8-9
Jan 07
43 The Philadelphia Story USA Cukor, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant 1940 Christmas cheerfulness, with Hepburn, Grant and Stewart at their best in a superbly directed film 11-12 Dec 06
42 Angels with Dirty Faces USA Michael Curtiz, James Cagney 1938 Curtiz's expert direction, Hollywood's moral period, the diminutive but electrifying gangster actor, James Cagney 13-14 Nov 06

41

Rebecca

USA

Alfred Hitchcock, Laurence Olivier

1940

One of Hitchcock's most famous films, which needs to be seen - like most films - on a proper cinema screen

17 Oct 06

40

The River

USA/France

Jean Renoir

1951

Visually beautiful, gradually developing film by the Impressionist's son about India in the last days of the Raj

18-19 Sep 06

39

Point Blank

USA

John Boorman

1967

Extremely stylish post-noir thriller by the British director, with a fine performance from Lee Marvin

21-22 Aug 06

38

The General

USA

Buster Keaton

1927

Probably the greatest silent film comedian, a remarkable comedy, and his personal favourite

24-25 Jul 06

37

La Kermesse Héroique

France

Jacques Feyder

1935

A classic of French comedy

26-27 Jun 06

36 Glengarry Glen Ross USA James Foley, David Mamet, Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin 1992 Its reputation for the excellence of the acting, its complete difference from anything else that we have shown, and the important fact that it was licensed and available for exhibition. In fact, it turned out to be a most interesting choice, as some detested it, while more thought it was excellent. Exactly the sort of film to stir a discussion group! 29-30 May 06
35 Paths of Glory USA Stanley Kubrick, Kirk Douglas 1957 Kubrick's first great film, and Douglas's first big opportunity, which he successfully embraced. A strongly moral film about war and the military, based on a real incident in the French Army during the First World War. 1-2 May 06
34 Talk to Her (Hable con Ella) Spain Pedro Almodóvar 2002 Highly acclaimed film (lots of awards) by the Spanish director. 3-4 Apr 06
33

La Dolce Vita

Italy

Federico Fellini

1960

Fellini's great film about decadence and morality in late 50s Italy, featuring Marcello Mastroianni and many beautiful women.

6-7 Mar 06

32

Out of the Past

USA

Jacques Tourneur

1947

One of the greatest noirs, with fine performances from Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer.

6-7 Feb 06

31 The Wages of Fear France Henri-Georges Clouzot 1953 Requested by many members. Perhaps the greatest suspense movie of all time. 9-10 Jan 06
30 His Girl Friday USA Howard Hawks 1939 Howard Hawks's inspired and lightning-fast comedy about ruthlessness in the newspaper business and an editor’s wish to re-acquire his former wife. Cary Grant at his finest and Rosalind Russell matching him. 12-13 Dec 05
29 Viridiana Spain Luis Buñuel 1961 A film which greatly shocked at the time, with its occasionally subdued sexuality and much symbolism. Banned in Spain and opposed by the Church, it nevertheless won Palme d'Or at Cannes. 14-15 Nov 05
28 La Strada Italy Federico Fellini 1954 One of the most approachable films by the Italian master, with a superb performance from Giuletta Masina, Fellini's wife. 22nd in the 2002 Sight & Sound Director's poll. 17-18 Oct 05
27 Andrei Rublev USSR Andrei Tarkovsky 1966 By the great Russian director a film, very highly rated by critics, offering a superb if lengthy glimpse of mediaeval Russia through the eyes of a monk turned icon-painter. Deeply impressive. 19-20 Sep 05
26 The Wild Bunch USA Sam Peckinpah 1969 A western to change westerns, offering new levels of violence, but also a different view of the morality of outlaw and his adversary. 22-23 Aug 05
25 The Apartment USA Billy Wilder 1960 A sharp comedy of the time. Wilder’s direction. The superb combination of Lemmon, MacLaine and MacMurray. Some Academy Awards, as expected. 25-26 Jul 05
24 La Ronde France Max Ophüls 1950 A film of great charm and unusually circular construction. 27-28 Jun 05
23 M Germany Fritz Lang 1931 Remarkable and brave film about the hunt for a serial killer. A landmark. 30-31 May 05
22 Orphée France Jean Cocteau 1950 Impossible to ignore. First prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1951. 2-3 May 05
21 When We Were Kings USA Leon Gast 1996 Member’s Choice: the Oscar-winning documentary of a remarkable fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman 4-5 Apr 05
20 Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot France Jacques Tati 1952 Tati in perhaps his best-loved film 7-8 Mar 05
19 To Kill a Mockingbird USA Robert Mulligan 1962 From Harper Lee’s superb novel, with Gregory Peck 7 Feb 05
18 The Draughtsman’s Contract GB Peter Greenaway 1982 English director with cult following 10-11 Jan 05
17 Babette's Feast Denmark Gabriel Axel 1982 Danish, Academy Award, Best Foreign Film 6-7 Dec 04
16 Rashomon Japan Akira Kurosawa 1950 The first Japanese director to be highly regarded in the West 8-9 Nov 04
15 Rififi (aka Au Rififi chez les Hommes) France Jules Dassin 1955 Classic French noir, by an American-born director, with Jean Servais in the lead role 11-12 Oct 04
14 Death in Venice GB/Italy Luchino Visconti 1971 Visconti’s grandiose vision, with Mahler's music, with Dirk Bogarde in the lead role. 13-14 Sep 04
13 Get Carter GB Mike Hodges 1971 Michael Caine in a gangster film to match the best of American. 16-17 Aug 04
12 Red River USA Howard Hawks 1948 The director’s first and great Western. John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. 19-20 Jul 04
11 La Belle et la Bête France Jean Cocteau 1946 A beautiful and surprising exposition of the fairy tale, with Jean Marais in several roles. 21-22 Jun 04
10 The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie France Luis Buñuel 1972 One of the finest comedies from this surreal director, friend of the artist, Salvador Dali. 24-25 May 04
9 Cabaret USA Bob Fosse 1972 Liza Minnelli's great hit, and the even more astonishing performance of Joel Grey. 26-27 Apr 04
8 Alexander Nevsky USSR Sergei Eisenstein 1947 Because no film society of this sort can neglect the man, and Prokofiev scored ... 29-30 Mar 04
7 A Night at the Opera USA Sam Wood 1935 Vintage Marx Brothers 1-2 Mar 04
6 La Grande Illusion France Jean Renoir 1937 The great war-prisoner and escape movie, by the son of the Impressionist painter, featuring Erich von Stroheim (who directed the remarkable film, Greed, originally meant to last 10 hours). 2-3 Feb 04
5 O Brother, Where Art Thou? USA The Coen Brothers 2000 The Odyssey brought up to date, with humour and George Clooney. 6 Jan 04
4 Top Hat USA Mark Sandrich 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' all time favourite - with the odd drifting feather.

2 Dec 03
3 The Great Dictator USA Charlie Chaplin 1940 One of Chaplin's best-known films, with some remarkable satire on Hitler. 4 Nov 03
2 Le Cercle Rouge France Jean-Pierre Melville 1970 Superb gangster movie, by the master, not to mention Alain Delon and Yves Montand. 7 Oct 03
1 Fanny & Alexander Sweden Ingmar Bergman 1982 One of the great director’s finest films, and gorgeous. 9 Sep 03

 

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