Cinematography is a versatile art form, and as a result, not everyone will always be pleased with the films they see. Some movies may not be appreciated upon first viewing but can grow in value over time. Others may be instantly loved.
However, certain films stand the test of time and only improve with age. These films may have deeper themes that become more meaningful as time passes, and their performances become more vivid in our memories. Here are ten films beloved by audiences that age like fine wine.
10 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Columbia Pictures
The Shawshank Redemption is a drama film directed by Frank Darabont, in which Tim Robbins plays Andy Dufresne, a man who is falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover. In prison, he forms a close bond with Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman) and the two find solace and eventual redemption through acts of humanity. The film is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day. With its well-crafted story, compelling characters, and powerful scenes,
The Shawshank Redemption leaves a lasting impression on viewers. The film offers a realistic portrayal of life in prison and highlights the range of human emotions and experiences that can offer hope and fulfillment. Despite initially performing poorly at the box office, the film has since been recognized as a timeless classic.
9 The Breakfast Club (1985)
Universal Pictures
The Breakfast Club is a comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by John Hughes, who is well-known for his work in films that explore universal themes. The movie follows five vastly different high school students in detention, and over time, they shed their egos and become friends. The themes in the film are relatable to many viewers who have gone through or are currently in high school, as it explores the familiar dynamics of making unexpected friends in a high school setting.
The film is expertly acted and has a simple yet effective setting, shot primarily in a single building and room, which adds to its charm. Even today, TheBreakfast Club is still considered superior to many of the teen-comedy films that have come after it, adding to its enduring reputation and popularity.
8 Goodfellas (1990)
Warner Bros.
Goodfellas is a biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, which tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his associates as they rise through the ranks of organized crime in New York City from 1955 to 1980. The film is a masterfully crafted period drama that has stood the test of time.
The movie accurately recreates the atmosphere of the era it is set in, thanks to its use of an eclectic soundtrack featuring various artists, authentic costumes, vintage cars, and fourth-wall-breaking moments. The film’s themes are bold, and its editing is fearless, which makes it hold up well against contemporary movies.
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7 Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List is an epic historical drama film produced by Steven Spielberg. The film focuses on Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a businessman who supports the Nazi party, as he becomes determined to save his Jewish workers from the Holocaust after witnessing the persecution of Jews in Poland. Despite his reputation for using cutting-edge filmmaking technology, Spielberg chose a more minimalistic approach for this film, using both stationary and handheld cameras and filming some scenes in actual Holocaust death camps in Poland. The film is deeply personal to Spielberg, touching on his Jewish heritage.
The movie is shot in black and white, similar to the archival footage from World War II. Despite being released in 1993, the film is set in the 1940s, which gives it a timeless quality. It remains a powerful and moving film, and the fact that Holocaust denial still exists today only adds to its significance.
6 Pulp fiction (1994)
Miramax
Pulp Fiction is a crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who has been widely praised for his work on the film, particularly screenwriting. It is considered to be his masterpiece. The movie tells several crime stories in Los Angeles, California, following the lives of two small-time criminals, a gangster’s wife, and a boxer, whose lives become intertwined after a series of events. The movie’s title refers to pulp magazines popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic content and sharp dialogue. The film has an unconventional structure, is brilliantly acted with extensive references and satire, and is considered a benchmark of postmodern cinema by critics.
Many elements set Tarantino apart from other filmmakers, but his dialogue is often considered his most impressive skill. Pulp Fiction has many scenes where the dialogue feels poetic and stays with its audience long after watching, which is why the movie is still quoted verbatim many years after its release.
5 Days Of Heaven (1978)
Paramount Pictures
Days of Heaven is a romantic period drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick. The movie tells the story of Bill (Richard Gere), a farm laborer, who asks Abby (Brooke Adams), the woman he loves, to marry their wealthy but dying employer so that she can inherit his fortune after he dies. The film is a masterfully crafted period drama that stands the test of time and is considered one of the most visually stunning movies ever made. The director tells a story of loss that can move even the most unemotional viewer. The predictable plot is elevated by its setting, which works like magic to deepen the characters’ experiences.
Many of the movie’s shots are set near dawn and dusk when there are no shadows, and the sky is a single tone. The music is nostalgic, full of loss and regret, and the combination of evocative landscapes and emotional longing creates an elegiac mood rarely found in films, making the movie a timeless treasure.
4 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
United Artists
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a classic spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone. The story follows three gunslingers competing to uncover hidden treasure amidst the chaos of the American Civil War. The film belongs to a generation of spaghetti westerns known for their raw, exaggerated, deliberate, slow-paced style and simple plots. Despite this, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly stands out for its epic storytelling, engaging pacing, and clear goal established early on. Its main characters are archetypal, and its soundtrack is widely recognized. The cinematography captures stunning landscapes, shot up close with super-wide lenses, adding to the film’s epic scale.
The film’s imagery, characters, music, and iconic ending make it considered one of the greatest westerns of all time, and it continues to attract new audiences even more than half a century after its release.
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3 Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
20th Century Fox
Big Trouble in Little China is a fantasy action-comedy film directed by John Carpenter. The movie follows Jack Burton (Kurt Russell), a truck driver, as he helps his friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) rescue his fiancé from bandits and gets pulled into the supernatural underworld beneath Chinatown, where they face off against an ancient sorcerer. The film’s sound and visual effects are outstanding, even by today’s standards.
Carpenter expertly blended strong CGI with practical effects to create striking and impressive visuals for its time. The film is fast-paced, inventive, and chaotic, with solid acting that meets high expectations. Despite initially underperforming at the box office upon its release, the film has since gained a worldwide fanbase and is now considered a cult classic that has stood the test of time.
2 The Night Of The Hunter (1955)
The Night of the Hunter is a noir thriller directed by Charles Laughton. The story follows a corrupt fake preacher who marries an unsuspecting widow to acquire her executed husband’s hidden loot. At its core, the film is a dark and twisted fairy tale with elements of cruelty, greed, death, poverty, and guilt. It also has moments of dark humor, such as when the young character Pearl innocently repeats a hangman’s melody that other children sang about her father.
The narrative is dreamlike, evoking a sense of childhood innocence, yet skillfully portrayed in a relatable way. When it was first released, the film was met with indifference, but over time it has come to be considered a landmark of American cinema.
1 Citizen Kane (1941)
RKO Radio Pictures
Citizen Kane is a drama film directed and produced by Orson Welles. The movie follows a reporter investigating the last dying words of a wealthy newspaper tycoon, uncovering conflicting and intriguing stories about his life. The film is widely praised for its innovative and groundbreaking editing, music, cinematography, and narrative structure. The film may seem like an exciting mystery with average elements on first viewing, but subsequent viewings reveal its deeper layers. Its narrative structure, which employs flashbacks, changed the course of filmmaking forever.
The characters may take a while to connect with, but once engaged, they prove compelling, complex and worth studying. The setting of the film is also timeless and influential. Shot in black and white, the use of shadow and light, clashing graphic forms and textures make Citizen Kane a fresh and contemporary film that stands the test of time.
