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A friend and I were talking recently, as usual, about film and he mentioned never having seen (actually, refusing to see) Gone With the Wind. We got to talking about "big" films we've not seen and some that I'd seen he hadn't, and vice versa. Of course, Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz came up as well as the AFI list and we expressed surprise that, out there, there must be film buffs who've never seen them. To that I added "yet".So, some films I've yet to see are The Bicycle Thief, The Great Dictator, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Sound of Music, Quest for Fire, Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, Cinema Paradiso, Carnal Knowledge, among others. How about you?
Anyway, Belle de Jour is on IFC tonight and I'll be checking it out.
Follow Ups:
and if it's as good as the first two, I should be in for a real treat.Chris
works for me on many levels: I like what Jeanne Moreau allegedly said after she saw the movie, "Please, give me back my beast!"
Assuredly, "Citizen Kane," but don't forget "The Magnificent Amrbersons," which I'd rate pretty closely.
Now, a less often mentioned film, which I think is the scariest of all time, "The Vanishing." The original Dutch, of course, not the hideous re-make w/Jeff Bridges.
Also, I believe "Central Station," from Brasil, will stand the test of time.
Regarding "Belle de Jour:" any man that can watch the young Catherine Deneuve and not be moved may be considered already half dead.
Call me deprived.
i think it's easier for me to focus on what i have seen, and which i feel better off for having seen.films from the 3 greatest directors, in my opinion.
1) most fellini films including the censor, variety lights, and of course la strada.
2) a decent number of kurosa films especially the one about the bureaucrat that had cancer.
3) about 4 or 5 satyajit ray films especially the first of the trilogy "pather panchali".
i really don't know if there is a more metaphorically richer film than "pather panchali". it teaches the concept of karma. on the cover is a quote from a review: "as deeply moving and plainly poetic as any movie ever made. rare and exquisite." on top of that is the mucis of ravi shanker.
here's some classics too: yeelan (considered the greatest african film ever made), the postman (the original italian version) (there are many beautiful italian films including miracle in milan), forbidden games (french), ugetsu (japanese), rear window, night of the living dead.
there are alot more "classics. there's really just alot of them.
Well, I have been working on that for decades, and there are still many left.But just as some comments on your list. I would pass on Gone with the Wind - a sentimental kaka with no real worth. Citizen Kane stays.
The Umbrellas is kaka square - don't waste your time. Beauty and the Beast is too waste of time - there are hundreds of better films you should see before wasting time and money on these really unremarkable works.
Carnal Knowledge can wait too, not such a big deal.
Belle de Jour... well, if you have nothing better to do, and it is free - by all means. Not a great film, by any stretch.
If you really need the list, this subject has been covered here many times. But starting with better works of the renouned directors is always a good way - and these are widely available from any number of sources. Any book on movies with rating system is good start too.
Good luck, this is project that can be great fun.
I adore Cocteau's Beauty & The Beast. While my other teen friends were swooning over GWTW, I was totally captivated by Beauty & The Beast. I still am. No matter what you may have to say on the subject.I used to get quite amused at the outrage unsuspecting moviegoers were wont to express about the sexual content in Carnal Knowledge. I remember a dinner party with my parents' friends who were shocked and repelled by the film's "frankness". Apparently many Americans thought the "Carnal" in the title referred to to a predeliction for red meat. Or something.
I am not going to argue over the Beauty, but let's not forget that during that period the French cinema produced so much great stuff that it is simply wrong to overlook its major contributions. I would submit that anyone willing to learn about that period should start with titans like Renoire, Carne and my all all-time favorite - Jean Grémillon, who's L'Atalante is considered by many the best film ever made.
***** Gone with the Wind - a sentimental kaka with no real worth*****While I won't argue with you from an artistic standpoint, I think you're forgetting about the shared impact this film has had on theater audiences over many decades.... like many of the AFI's top 100 films, the performances and imagery of GWTW have become a part of America's collective consciousness which elevates it beyond its original stature. The real power of film is it's ability to move an audience and GWTW has and will continue to move audiences for many years to come.... many of the films that today are considered classics were artistic or commercial failures at the time of their release (Citizan Kane is a good example).
If you define "art" as something that can provoke an emotional response in people and endure over time, GWTW certainly qualifies in that respect.... so I cannot agree with that the film is of no real worth since that is a determination that neither you nor I can make.
with the wind!
"But just as some comments on your list. I would pass on Gone with the Wind - a sentimental kaka with no real worth. Citizen Kane stays."I saw it once, and found it a bit sappy and overbaked--but I'm glad I saw it because it made the Carol Burnett spoofs very enjoyable. (ever see her spoof on Mildred Pierce-fantastic!). My vote too, would go for "rosebud." I also agree with you on Carnal Knowledge. To see something worthwhile instead--Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf-plenty of others to choose from. I would also take The Piano over Beauty and the Beast (quite similar if you think about it!).
mp
I can't believe what you said about the Carol Burnett spoof. I've often told people that the only reason to see GWTW is to appreciate the spoof. I particularly like the scene where she whips up a dress to visit Rhett by using the velvet curtains. In the spoof, she doesn't even bother to remove the curtain rods which stick out from the shoulders of her dress.I agree with Victor's comments in every respect, although a statement like Citizen Kane stays seems like a bit too much of a luke warm endorsement for this film.
Notice, I didn't even say anything about the Thief, and that is one of the ten best films ever made - I thought it went without saying.
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