#67 - #100
67. *The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Bad timing and tragedy prevented a whole generation from seeing this film after its release. A brilliant piece of work on several different levels.
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68. *An American In Paris (1951)
Though not as complete a film as the similar, but higher scoring, Singin' in the Rain, this musical has its unforgettable moments, particularly the ballet sequence with its Gershwin music.
Buy this movie!
69. Shane (1953)
George Stevens' prototype Western had Alan Ladd as the good guy vs. bad guy Jack Palance in only the fourth film in his long career.
Buy this movie!
70. The French Connection (1971)
More than just a great "car chase" film, this movie helped to introduce the cop anti-hero who became so ubiquitous in later years, played perfectly by Gene Hackman.
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71. Forrest Gump (1994)
Does anyone believe this film has a chance of showing up on the "150 Years, 150 Movies" show in 2048? Even if Tom Hanks does turn out to be the Jimmy Stewart of the 90s?
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72. *Ben-Hur (1959)
Certainly the most entertaining and least preachy of all the Biblical epics (and the only one on the list), this film has everything a great film should have, including the amazing chariot race.
Buy this movie!
73. Wuthering Heights (1939)
William Wyler's third film on this list suffered by comparison with all the other great movies from 1939; in any other year, it would have won more than the single Oscar it received. Olivier's only film in the top 100.
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74. The Gold Rush (1925)
There are only three films on this list made before 1930, and the other two (Birth of a Nation and The Jazz Singer) are obvious watersheds. These three films have to represent 32 of the 100 Years. Here's your crumb, Mr. Chaplin. (Well, okay, we'll give you a couple more in just a moment.)
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75. *Dances With Wolves (1990)
Did the voters in this poll ever see Little Big Man? It was a much funnier, much sadder, more historically accurate, and better acted film. It was also made twenty years earlier.
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76. City Lights (1931)
My favorite Chaplin silent, and his last one. Definitely deserved a higher spot.
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77. *American Graffiti (1973)
One of the most amazing things about this film is the cast. Think of how many top-grossing movies have involved Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, or Harrison Ford, not to mention George Lucas. And it was the first major film for all four of them.
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78. * Rocky (1976)
What can you say? It was a one-of-a-kind film... until the sequels.
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79. The Deer Hunter (1978)
A powerful and disturbing anti-war film with great performances by the four main characters. Probably had more impact in the 70s than it does today.
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80. *The Wild Bunch (1969)
I hope people were voting for the Director's Cut, because it's even better than the original.
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81. Modern Times (1936)
That's #74, #76, and #81. Hey, he got two more than Quentin Tarantino, so quit complaining!
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82. Giant (1956)
George Stevens directed only five films in the 1950s, and three of them are on this list! One of James Dean's two appearances on the list; many would argue that East of Eden should be here, as well.
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83. Platoon (1986)
A powerful anti-war film, but misses my arbitrary cutoff date by six years. Oliver Stone's only appearance here.
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84. Fargo (1996)
Just one comment: Huh? (Picture Al Bundy asking that question and you'll get the picture.)
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85. Duck Soup (1933)
And here's a crumb for the Marx Brothers, too. Unbelievable! (At least they were mentioned, unlike Buster Keaton.)
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86. *Mutiny On The Bounty (1935)
The later versions may have been better in some ways, but this was the first one, and it had Gable.
Buy this movie!
87. Frankenstein (1931)
Many critics think that Bride of Frankenstein was better. But how many precedents did this film set?
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88. *Easy Rider (1969)
Launched three careers, defined a generation, proved that you could make a movie without Hollywood's backing, and it just barely makes the top 100. Maybe if they hadn't taken any drugs...
Buy this movie!
89. *Patton (1970)
George C. Scott's greatest performance, and a war movie that managed to occupy both sides of the issue.
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90. The Jazz Singer (1927)
The first talkie. Has to be on this list somewhere, though I wonder how many voters have seen it all the way through lately.
Buy this movie!
91. *My Fair Lady (1964)
Despite the complaints about Audrey's lack of singing, you can't picture anybody else in the role, can you? Click on the title and read Roger Ebert's review.
Buy this movie!
92. A Place In The Sun (1951)
A somewhat pleasant surprise to find this one on the list. Clift, Taylor, and Winters all turned in splendid performances.
Buy this movie!
93. *The Apartment (1960)
A comic masterpiece. Definitely deserves a higher ranking.
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94. Goodfellas (1990)
Wouldn't one of those Cagney films from the 30s have fit very nicely in this slot? I thought you'd like that.
Buy this movie!
95. Pulp Fiction (1994)
I'm sorry, but this is another one that has to age a while more before anybody should even consider placing it in nomination as one of the greats.
Buy this movie!
96. The Searchers (1956)
There's a difference of opinion about whether this is one of the greatest Westerns, but it's John Ford and John Wayne, and what more could you ask for?
Buy this movie!
97. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
If you're only going to get a couple of screwball comedies out of 100, this is as good as any, especially with Grant and Hepburn in delicously over-the-top performances.
Buy this movie!
98. Unforgiven (1992)
Though I think it's still too recent to be included, this is a good one, and certainly Clint's best. And it's not like they're making a lot of great Westerns these days.
Buy this movie!
99. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967)
An entertaining but dated film. Is this the best performance by Tracy and Hepburn, not to mention Poitier? I doubt it. And if you're black and you watched the AFI show, you'd have to be satisfied with To Kill a Mockingbird and this one, unless you count Birth of a Nation, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction, or Gone With the Wind as "African-American" films. And, of course, we musn't forget Dooley Wilson in Casablanca, or James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars. Does that about cover it? No, we're not going to count The Jazz Singer...
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100. *Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
Bringing up the rear is one of the most "American" films of all, the story of George M. Cohan, with a standout performance by Jimmy Cagney, who just makes the list at #100!
Buy this movie!
And that's my opinion. I'm sure there'll be some spirited disagreement. If you have questions, please email me.
Nos. 1-33
Nos. 34-66
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