31. Casablanca
Year: 1942
IMDB rating: 8.7
Awards: 3 Oscar Awards
The Story: In WW II Casablanca, American Rick Blaine owns and runs the hottest club in the city. The former freedom fighter stumbles upon two transit letters that are very interesting for Nazi officer Major Strasser, whose arrival in Casablanca makes the local police act very friendly, trying to please Strasser by even detaining Victor Laszlo, an underground Czech freedom leader. But everything changes when Blaine meets Laszlo’s wife Ilsa, his former greatest and true love, who left him years back.
Why is it on the list: Because this is still a quintessential love story and given its age and reputation, it still makes it to the lists and public vote. Because many love stories got inspired from it and it is still alive in our conscience especially when we use quotes and references. Talking about screenplay, directing and acting, of course there were a lot better movies made until the present day, but Casablanca deserves its position as it opened a world of possibilities for future film makers. Because Bogart fills the screen with his charm, good looks, cynicism and voice and because few love stories managed to shake viewers cores like it did.
Quintessential quote: “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” (Rick)
32. Braveheart
Year: 1995
IMDB rating: 8.4
Awards: 5 Oscar Awards
The Story: The movie follows the story of William Wallace, a Scot that changes the course of history for both United Kingdom and Scotland, leading into battle Scottish troupes and fighting to get free from the English tyranny imposed with an iron-fist by the local rulers. Also a great love story, the movie builds around Wallace’s heroic figure in a conflict and plot that marked an empire’s fate.
Why is it on the list: Because this movie was the golden boy of 1996, when Oscar award were practically thrown at it, making Mel Gibson a strong and reputable director, in spite of him being a consecrated action movie hero. Because the movie lets people see the transformation of a man from a simple commuter to a national hero. Because it is a story about courage, honor, loyalty, love and the brutality of war and people. Because without this movie we wouldn’t have had Wallace’s speech and that speech is still very popular in today’s world, being quoted in team-building organizational activities and in leadership trainings.
Quintessential quote: “Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!.” (William Wallace)
33. Sunset Blvd.
Year: 1950
IMDB rating: 8.6
Awards: 3 Oscar Awards
The Story: The movie follows the story of failure actress Norma Desmond who back in the day was a silent-movie goddess and who now spends her time secluded from the world, as her self-sufficiency, perceived indestructibility and overrated ego turned her in a sort of a monstrous demented recluse. Wanting to regain her past glory, Norma charms the small – time writer Joe Gillis who becomes her lover and seems to be her one way ticket to a new Hollywood fame. But her initial plan goes havoc, as murder and mayhem strike the lives of everyone involved.
Why is it on the list: Because it may be old, tired and lacking some filming techniques we kind of got used to in the past 20 years, but this movie remains a classic as character development occurs and human emotions and relations are being explored ruthlessly. Because it is still one of the best stories about vanity, manipulation and sinful ego manifestation ever made and because in this case, humanity loses in the face of selfishness and almost clinical narcissism.
Quintessential quote: “And I promise you I’ll never desert you again because after ‘Salome’ we’ll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!… All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” (Norma)
34. La Leggenda del pianista sull’oceano (The Legend of 1900)
Year: 1998
IMDB rating: 7.9
Awards: 1 Golden Globe
The Story: Danny Boodman T.D. Lemons 1900, called in short 1900 is the main character of this story, as it is prompted and told by Max, a former enthusiastic jazz trumpet player who now lives a post war disillusioned and down life. Accidentally finding an old record of piano music, Max begins to tell the story of his experience on the Virginian, a stylish cruise ship that was marked by the presence of 1900, the pianist of the band that also hired Max to play jazz for the ship’s customers. Slowly we get into the two friends’ story, finding the surprising life history of 1900, an orphan that became a piano legend, although he never set foot on the ground and never abandoned the ship.
Why is it on the list: Because Tim Roth makes a role like no other and because the movie is so surprising, so touching and so subtle, it still makes people want to wipe a discrete tear from the corner of their eyes. Because this is a story about one man’s fate and choices. Because it makes you want to know and understand why he never had the heart to leave the ship and how could he live with this self-assumed decision. Because Max is a brilliant storyteller and, as far as the script and directing goes, the movie gave us immortal moments, lines and feelings. Because it is still great to see it and learn a little something about freedom, love and friendship, while it poses big questions on choice, destiny and the man’s incapacity to know and venture towards the unknown. It may be a story about cowardliness, just as it can be a story about finding peace in the smallest of things.
Quintessential quote: “Christ, did you… did you see the streets, just the streets? There were thousands of them! Then how you do it down there, how do you choose just one… one woman, one house, one landscape to look at, one way to die…?” (1900)
35. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Year: 2008
IMDB rating: 7.8
Awards: 3 Oscar Awards
The Story: Benjamin Button is a man of a surprising evolution, as he is born old and suffering from old age-related disease, just to grow up and getting younger. His story is told through his personal diary and we see a man’s life, choices and moments as they go by, but told from a backward point of view.
Why is it on the list: Because even if in 2007 another movie exploited the idea of a man’s life told counter clockwise, and we’re talking about “Youth without youth”, this movie takes the cake at least for Cate Blanchett’s brilliant performance. Because it makes everyone wonder if they would really turn back time, as at least once we all thought about “what if we did”. Because it teaches us the most essential lesson of them all: life can be surprising, the people we meet can change our destiny and no matter how strange are the circumstances we live, we can make the best out of them.
Quintessential quote: “Our lives are defined by opportunities; even the ones we miss.” (Benjamin Button)