Have you ever wondered which films stand the test of time, voted as the best by critics and audiences worldwide? This article delves into a fascinating list of films that have been crowned the greatest in various national and international surveys.
The Golden Age: Sight and Sound’s Decennial Poll
Every decade since 1952, Sight and Sound has invited an international group of film critics to vote for their favorite films. The results have been nothing short of remarkable.
Bicycle Thieves (1948): A Timeless Classic
Bicycle Thieves topped the first poll with 25 votes, setting a high bar for what would follow. It’s a poignant tale that continues to resonate decades later.
Citizen Kane (1941): A Five-Time Champion
Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, stood at number 1 for five consecutive polls, with votes ranging from 22 to 46. It’s a film that has captivated audiences and critics alike, earning its place as one of the greatest ever made.
Vertigo (1958): A Modern Masterpiece
Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, topped the critics’ poll in 2012 with 191 votes. It’s a psychological thriller that has stood the test of time and continues to be celebrated for its innovative storytelling.
Tokyo Story (1953): A Director’s Triumph
Tokyo Story topped the directors’ poll in 2012 with 48 votes, dethroning Citizen Kane. It’s a profound exploration of family dynamics that has earned its place among the best films ever made.
Beyond Borders: Other Notable Polls
Other surveys have also produced their own list of cinematic masterpieces. Let’s take a look at some highlights:
Battleship Potemkin (1925): A Global Favorite
Battleship Potemkin, directed by Sergei Eisenstein, was ranked number 1 in a 1951 survey of film professionals around the world. It’s a powerful and influential work that continues to inspire filmmakers today.
Citizen Kane (1941): A French and Chinese Favorite
Citizen Kane was ranked number 1 in various surveys conducted by French and Chinese critics and historians, cementing its status as a global classic.
Seven Samurai (1954): An International Hit
Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa, was voted the greatest foreign-language film in BBC’s 2018 poll of 209 critics. It’s a masterpiece that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Vertigo (1958): A German and Iranian Favorite
Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was ranked number 1 in various polls, including German and Iranian film magazines. It’s a film that continues to be celebrated for its psychological depth.
Around the Globe: National Polls
Let’s explore some national polls that have produced their own list of cinematic masterpieces:
Gone with the Wind (1939): America’s Favorite Film
Gone with the Wind, directed by Victor Fleming, was voted favorite American film by Harris Interactive polls. It’s a sweeping epic that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades.
Empire Strikes Back (1980): A Reader’s Favorite
The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner, was voted the best film of all time by Empire magazine readers. It’s a beloved installment in the Star Wars saga that continues to be celebrated.
Around the World: Specialized Polls
Specialized polls have also produced their own list of cinematic masterpieces. Let’s take a look:
The Godfather (1972): A Superhero of Films
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was voted number 1 in multiple polls, including Entertainment Weekly’s readers and Time Out. It’s a film that has stood the test of time and continues to be celebrated.
Boyz n the Hood (1991): A Top Black Film
Boyz n the Hood, directed by John Singleton, was voted the top black film of all time. It’s a powerful and poignant exploration of life in inner-city America that continues to resonate.
Around the World: Specialized Polls (Continued)
Let’s continue our journey through specialized polls:
The Poseidon Adventure (1972): A Disaster Movie Classic
The Poseidon Adventure, directed by Richard Fleischer, was voted best disaster movie in a poll of 500 members of the UCI Cinemas staff. It’s a thrilling and iconic film that continues to be celebrated.
Man with a Movie Camera (1929): A Documentary Masterpiece
Man with a Movie Camera, directed by Dziga Vertov, was voted the greatest documentary film of all time in a 2014 Sight and Sound poll. It’s a groundbreaking work that continues to inspire filmmakers today.
Around the World: Specialized Polls (Final Thoughts)
Specialized polls have also produced their own list of cinematic masterpieces. Let’s take a look:
The Exorcist (1973): A Horror Classic
The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin, was voted the best horror film of all time with 53 votes in a 2012 poll of 150 experts conducted by Time Out London. It’s a chilling and iconic work that continues to be celebrated.
Brokeback Mountain (2005): A Top LGBT Film
Brokeback Mountain, directed by Ang Lee, was ranked as the top LGBT film in a 2016 poll of 28 directors, actors, and screenwriters conducted by Time Out London. It’s a poignant and powerful exploration of love that continues to resonate.
West Side Story (1961): A Screen Musical Masterpiece
West Side Story, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, was chosen as the best screen musical by readers of British newspaper The Observer in a 2007 poll. It’s a timeless work that continues to be celebrated.
Casablanca (1942): A Romance Classic
Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, was voted the best romance film of all time with 56 votes in a 1996 poll of 100 experts organized by Spanish film magazine Nickel Odeon. It’s a classic that continues to be celebrated.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): A Sci-Fi Masterpiece
2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was voted the best science fiction film of all time with 73 votes in a 2014 poll. It’s a groundbreaking work that continues to inspire and awe.
Around the World: Specialized Polls (Conclusion)
Specialized polls have produced their own list of cinematic masterpieces, each one celebrating the unique qualities of films from different genres, countries, and eras. From Bicycle Thieves to The Godfather, these films continue to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers.
In conclusion, whether it’s a classic like Citizen Kane or a modern masterpiece like Blade Runner, the list of films voted as the best in various national and international surveys is a testament to the enduring power of cinema. These films continue to inspire and captivate us, reminding us of the magic that can be created on screen.
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This page is based on the article List of films voted the best published in Wikipedia (retrieved on December 16, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
