People hate black and white films. At least, that's what it seems like. I have had times where I was with some friends renting movies and suggested a black and white film only to be shot down. There seems to be a stigma associated with black and white, one which represents an unfamiliar era and culture. The more people that choose to ignore black and white films, the worse it is for film in general. Some of the best moments in movie history are from black and white films - its the medium in which film itself started. There are so many classic black and white movies that it's hard to pick just fifteen and even harder still to put them into some sort of a list.
15) Night of the Living Dead (1968)- One of the more graphic black and white films, Night of the Living Dead is also the zombie film that set the standard for all other zombie films to follow. It should also be noted that this is one of the first films to have an African American as a protagonist and hero. A little slow on pacing with some rough acting at times, but still a classic.
14) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Subtexted beneath a somewhat simple tale of alien invasion lies an analysis of the red scare. Invasion of the Body Snatchers isn't the best alien film ever made, but it certainly is one of the more important ones. Invasion of the Body Snatchers focuses on suspense and pacing in order to craft a truly classic horror film.
13) The Haunting (1963) - Horror films aren't made like The Haunting anymore. The atmosphere and style of this film wouldn't even be attempted in a modern horror film. This classic ghost story proves that its what you don't see that is truly terrifying.
12) Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) - A Stanly Kubrick comedy that towers over both The Shining and A Clockwork Orange and that is really saying something. An offbeat and expertly directed comedy which isn't talked about as much as it should be.
11) King Kong (1933) - King Kong is a film which inspires others to start directing and making movies. So much time and effort went into this film and it shows. The stop motion is perfect, the story is translated perfectly and the visuals are immortal.
10) Sunset Boulevard (1950) - A film about a good for nothing screenplay writer who writes a movie for a washed up silent film star. As simple as the story is, Sunset Boulevard pumps out a clever and witty script. A beautifully shot movie that still holds up today.
09) Raging Bull (1980) - The story of a boxer's burning desire to be number one, and his passion that ends up destroying his life outside of the ring. Robert de Niro gives his greatest performance ever in an amazingly written, directed and edited movie.
08) Metropolis (1926) - Definitely one of the oddest films on this list, Metropolis is a futuristic silent film which proves to be one of the first truly successful science fiction films. It's a very influential and thought provoking movie which, at times, can be hard to watch but is still one of the greats.
07) Young Frankenstein (1974) - By far Mel Brooks' best work. Young Frankenstein takes the Mel Brooks style of parody to its very peak - expertly satirizing everything from horror films to musicals. Highly quotable, intensely funny and beautifully shot, Young Frankenstein will forever be a masterpiece.
06) Schindler's List (1993) - A Steven Spielberg film that wont go away, Schindler's List is almost guaranteed to come up in any conversation about Spielberg. An incredibly moving and disturbing film, Schindler's List is a movie that wont soon be forgotten and has already garnered the label of classic.
05) Psycho (1960) - An Alfred Hitchcock film with some of the best cinematography and the most iconic scenes in horror history. With beautiful monologues and stark black and white film grain, Psycho is an awe inspiring piece of motion picture history.
04) Casablanca (1942) - "Here's looking at you kid." Just that line alone evokes the imagery that Casablanca has to offer. A film that hinges on its outstanding dialogue and stunning visuals, Casablanca does its job better than any other movie out there.
03) It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - The best Christmas movie of all time, hands down. Jimmy Stewart lays down an amazing performance which mixes flawlessly with the amazing story and heart warming characters. It's the film that opened my own eyes to the power and beauty of black and white films and it can do the same for you.
02) Citizen Kane (1941) - It's usually a foregone conclusion that Citizen Kane would be on any list of great films. Most people simply toss Citizen Kane onto lists almost subconsciously without even considering the importance of the film. One of the most experimental and ambitious films of all time - Citizen Kane has some incredibly post modern cinematography and the story is a mosaic, as the story is outlined in media res. All of this makes for a historical giant of a film and for good reason.
01) To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) - Some may call blasphemy putting To Kill A Mockingbird ahead of Citizen Kane, but I have my reasons. For one, its arguably the best film adapted from a novel. On top of that it is also one of the most recognizable novel of all time, with students everywhere reading and analyzing it at a young age. But most importantly, in a time where society made a point to shun what was different, To Kill A Mockingbird took a huge chance with some taboo subject matter. In the end, To Kill A Mockingbird manages to craft an amazingly touching film that will last a lifetime.
15) Night of the Living Dead (1968)- One of the more graphic black and white films, Night of the Living Dead is also the zombie film that set the standard for all other zombie films to follow. It should also be noted that this is one of the first films to have an African American as a protagonist and hero. A little slow on pacing with some rough acting at times, but still a classic.
14) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Subtexted beneath a somewhat simple tale of alien invasion lies an analysis of the red scare. Invasion of the Body Snatchers isn't the best alien film ever made, but it certainly is one of the more important ones. Invasion of the Body Snatchers focuses on suspense and pacing in order to craft a truly classic horror film.
13) The Haunting (1963) - Horror films aren't made like The Haunting anymore. The atmosphere and style of this film wouldn't even be attempted in a modern horror film. This classic ghost story proves that its what you don't see that is truly terrifying.
12) Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) - A Stanly Kubrick comedy that towers over both The Shining and A Clockwork Orange and that is really saying something. An offbeat and expertly directed comedy which isn't talked about as much as it should be.
11) King Kong (1933) - King Kong is a film which inspires others to start directing and making movies. So much time and effort went into this film and it shows. The stop motion is perfect, the story is translated perfectly and the visuals are immortal.
10) Sunset Boulevard (1950) - A film about a good for nothing screenplay writer who writes a movie for a washed up silent film star. As simple as the story is, Sunset Boulevard pumps out a clever and witty script. A beautifully shot movie that still holds up today.
09) Raging Bull (1980) - The story of a boxer's burning desire to be number one, and his passion that ends up destroying his life outside of the ring. Robert de Niro gives his greatest performance ever in an amazingly written, directed and edited movie.
08) Metropolis (1926) - Definitely one of the oddest films on this list, Metropolis is a futuristic silent film which proves to be one of the first truly successful science fiction films. It's a very influential and thought provoking movie which, at times, can be hard to watch but is still one of the greats.
07) Young Frankenstein (1974) - By far Mel Brooks' best work. Young Frankenstein takes the Mel Brooks style of parody to its very peak - expertly satirizing everything from horror films to musicals. Highly quotable, intensely funny and beautifully shot, Young Frankenstein will forever be a masterpiece.
06) Schindler's List (1993) - A Steven Spielberg film that wont go away, Schindler's List is almost guaranteed to come up in any conversation about Spielberg. An incredibly moving and disturbing film, Schindler's List is a movie that wont soon be forgotten and has already garnered the label of classic.
05) Psycho (1960) - An Alfred Hitchcock film with some of the best cinematography and the most iconic scenes in horror history. With beautiful monologues and stark black and white film grain, Psycho is an awe inspiring piece of motion picture history.
04) Casablanca (1942) - "Here's looking at you kid." Just that line alone evokes the imagery that Casablanca has to offer. A film that hinges on its outstanding dialogue and stunning visuals, Casablanca does its job better than any other movie out there.
03) It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - The best Christmas movie of all time, hands down. Jimmy Stewart lays down an amazing performance which mixes flawlessly with the amazing story and heart warming characters. It's the film that opened my own eyes to the power and beauty of black and white films and it can do the same for you.
02) Citizen Kane (1941) - It's usually a foregone conclusion that Citizen Kane would be on any list of great films. Most people simply toss Citizen Kane onto lists almost subconsciously without even considering the importance of the film. One of the most experimental and ambitious films of all time - Citizen Kane has some incredibly post modern cinematography and the story is a mosaic, as the story is outlined in media res. All of this makes for a historical giant of a film and for good reason.
01) To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) - Some may call blasphemy putting To Kill A Mockingbird ahead of Citizen Kane, but I have my reasons. For one, its arguably the best film adapted from a novel. On top of that it is also one of the most recognizable novel of all time, with students everywhere reading and analyzing it at a young age. But most importantly, in a time where society made a point to shun what was different, To Kill A Mockingbird took a huge chance with some taboo subject matter. In the end, To Kill A Mockingbird manages to craft an amazingly touching film that will last a lifetime.
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