5 Historic Films that helped Pave the Way for Filmmaking
Comments(21)
- By Venkman
Being the film geek that I am, of course when I went to college I took film courses. In these classes we would watch a lot of movies, and then analyze them to death. I loved these classes; it was through them that I was introduced to some of the great films that have been made throughout the years. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some of these movies with you.
Intolerance
This D.W. Griffith directed 1916 film was the most expensive and epic silent films ever made. The movie is considered a masterpiece and serves as a landmark and milestone in cinematic history. There are 4 parts to the movie which follow the fall of Babylon, the crucifixion of Jesus, The St. Batholomew’s Day Massacre, and how capitalists and striking workers help ruin American lives. The scale of the film is huge and the story gives the viewer something to think about.
Citizen Kane
This was the first feature film directed by Orson Welles in 1941. It really didn’t do to well when it came out in the theaters when it was originally released and I am convinced it was because the way the story was told was ahead of its time. The story is based on a fictional character that was created from the life of William Randolph Hearst and Welles himself as it follows him through his life and career in the publishing world. The story is mostly told in flashbacks as a reporter is trying to find out the meaning behind the main characters dying word ‘Rosebud’. The film was shot beautifully and the direction was fantastic and new. Welles experimented allot with the camera and it turned out to be one of the great American films.
The Birth of a Nation
Here is another silent movie directed by D.W. Griffith in 1915. The story is set in the time of the Civil War and was extremely controversial due for the fact it portrays the Ku Klux Klan in a positive light. The movie is considered Hollywood’s first blockbuster film and other than the controversy of the subject matter it is known for it’s innovation technically and the way the story was told. It’s a very powerful film.
A Trip to the Moon
This 1902 French film was the first Sci-fi movie ever made. It is only 14 minutes long and was known for it’s advancements in special effects and animation being used in the art of filmmaking. It is best known for the scene where a rocket ship land in the eye of the moon. But there’s so much more to it than that. It is about 6 astronomers who build a space ship and shoot it out of a giant cannon to the moon. Once on the moon they are attacked by aliens who reside there. It really a fun and imaginative movie especially for the time it was made.
The Godfather
I know this is quiet a jump in time from the previous silent films listed above, but ‘The Godfather’ was a film we really tore into. This is the perfect example of a perfect movie. No matter how many ways you look at this movie has so many layers to it, to look out for and study. The film was executed with precision and care.
There are several other films that I did not mention on this list but these are the films that really made an impact on filmmaking, and the way I look at film from a historical point. What are some movies that you have seen that you think should be studied in film school?
Most of the films mentioned about can be found in Netflix’s Instant Watch catalog.
T2 & Jurassic Park should likely be on that list in terms of landmark CGI films.
star wars, it did give is very modern techology to film with
and any hitchcock movie you wanna trow up there
Citizen 'Cain' huh?? Was his brother Citizen Abel??
I love A Trip to the Moon. The cinematography in it is unbelievable for it’s time.
I still don't know why you bother. 1) Land of the Lost 2)Hollywood Knights 3)Glitter 4)Wildcats and 5)Boogie Nights . I'll be soaking my feet if anyone needs me. Gotta' do all the legwork!
Psycho is definitely a groundbreaking film.
What about Metropolis? Anyone?
What about Cabinet of Dr. Caligari? One of the first instances of viral marketing and pretty much proved that film could be used as art.
Nosferatu? And definitely Metropolis.
er hrmm. King Kong and special effects?
That went into my top 5 Sci-fi films.
Ha ha! Thank you!
I love that movie! And it is a groundbreaking film, so yes, I agree with you.
Wow! I didn't think anyone would bring that up! That's a great suggestion!
King Kong is an incredible film and has gone down in history as a great film, but it goes on another list I am working on.
Nosferatu, is my favorite Vampire film of all time.
No REALLY, Thank YOU. Good stuff guys. Keep 'em comin'. I can barely find enough stuff to keep me awake in life. Narcolepsy is a bear!
Support independent filmmaking and film makers.
http://www.filmmakingcentral.com
I personally believe the list should go:
1.) Wizard of Oz
2.) Millers Crossing
3.) Pi (The Symbol)
4.) Seven Samurai
5.) Stay
This is not an any numerical order for quality, just how I listed them. Once again this is just my opinion and would like to state that this is extremely difficult to list so few (especially on a global scale rather than just national.) I can and will elaborate why I picked these, and what exactly makes each one of these films so special if you want me too. I will also take the time to make a much larger list in order of importance if someone is interested.
P.S.
I really wanted to add Chinatown and felt like since I didn't I needed to at least give it a shout out.
If you're digging into the deep end here, you really should mention "Faust" and "The Passion of Joan of Arc." Two epic films that are still running circles around films made today. Passion of Joan of Arc has some of the strongest cinematography ever. Faust has amazing special effects and an epic scale.
I know its kind of a weird one, but if you're talking about film making, you should include MASH. Robert Altman basically just went off and did his own thing, pissed off a lot of people and still made a hit out of it.
This list didn't need two D.W. Griffith's movies. "Birth of a Nation" is good enough. This would open a place for "The Battleship Potemkin", a landmark in editing.