The American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies, selected by AFI's blue-ribbon panel of more than 1,500 leaders of the American movie community. Parents should note that many of these films -- although excellent movies -- may not be appropriate for children.
Orson Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, taken from his
mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. Arguably the
best American film of all time.
DVD
Humphrey Bogart plays a hardened nightclub owner in this classic about love and loss during WW2. Cast includes Ingrid Bergman, Paul Heinreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Conrad Veidt.
DVD
Marlon Brando as the aging Don Corleone, Mafia boss and head of the Corleone family must transfer power of his empire to his youngest, and reluctant son. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Academy Awards for Best Picture, Actor, and Screenplay.
DVD
Margaret Mitchell's story, in effect, a Civil War soap opera, focusing on vixenish Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara, brilliantly played by Vivian Leigh. Still the all-time box-office champ in terms of tickets sold. Cast includes Clark Gable, Olivia De Havilland, and Leslie Howard.
DVD
This blockbuster biography of enigmatic adventurer T. E. Lawrence made Peter O’Toole an instant star. This classic epic film, earned seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography (Freddie Young), Score (Maurice Jarre), Editing, and Art Direction.
DVD
Dorothy, Scarecrow, and the rest of the cast entertain us with music and adventure while they confirm that "there’s no place like home." Parents beware: the Wicked Witch and her flying monkey henchmen still have the power to scare!
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Dustin Hoffman in his first major role as a naive college graduate who is seduced by a middle-aged woman (Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson), then falls in love with her daughter. Memorable song score by Simon & Garfunkel.
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Budd Schulberg's account of N. Y. C. harbor unions with Marlon Brando unforgettable as misfit. Winner of eight Oscars: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Brando), Supporting Actress (Saint), Story & Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Editing.
DVD
Womanizer and war profiteer Oscar Schindler uses Polish Jews as cheap labor to produce cookware for the Third Reich until the immense evil of Nazism becomes clear. From then on, Schindler takes courageous steps to save his workers. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
[DVD - not available]
One of the greatest movie musicals of all time. The setting is Hollywood during the transition to talkies. Memorable performances include Gene Kelly's title number, Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh," and Debbie Reynolds' emotional closer.
DVD
