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Revealed: YOUR fifty classic films. Our readers passionately responded after critic BRIAN VINER revealed his Top 100 films list, so here are your favourites... along with his verdict
The impassioned response to my list of the 100 greatest films ever in Weekend on February 10 is tremendously gratifying.
Not everyone was entirely polite about my choices as opposed to theirs, but what that demonstrates is how engaged we all are with the movies we adore.
It’s marvellous to be reminded how much great cinema matters to so many of us. In all, more than 500 titles were mentioned, with varying degrees of indignation, which shows that it’s impossible to find a Top 100 that pleases everyone.
Brian’s original list in February, which you can still see at mailplus.co.uk/100films
I knew The Shawshank Redemption would be my most provocative omission, which I confess is partly why I did it. I admire its many virtues as a powerful celebration of hope and the human spirit, but I have always found it overly sentimental, mawkish even, and Morgan Freeman’s voiceover makes me wince.
There we are. These things are nothing if not subjective. I look at some of your choices, films I left out, and wonder why I did. Nonetheless, I’m sticking to my guns, though not to my Guns Of Navarone. That was one of those I was castigated for overlooking, but I make no apology for it.
If I compiled my list again now I still wouldn’t find room for The Italian Job, Forrest Gump, The Great Escape or Titanic, all of which moved readers to write in. That doesn’t mean I don’t like or even love those pictures, by the way (though not Titanic, which invariably makes me wish the iceberg would strike a bit sooner).
With other choices, such as Doctor Zhivago, Goodfellas, The African Queen and Now, Voyager, I could be persuaded to reconsider. But which of mine would I remove? It’s an endlessly entertaining exercise. Thank you for playing a part in it.
So here then is your list of the Top 20 films you felt I should have included, and your reasons why...
1. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star as convicts in The Shawshank Redemption
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star as convicts who become friends in this adaptation of a Stephen King story.
Nominated for seven Oscars, it didn’t win one and was not a box-office success, but it became a huge word-of-mouth hit.
‘A brilliant, good feeling film.’ Terry Eldred
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
2. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in Doctor Zhivago
David Lean’s epic love story featured Omar Sharif and Julie Christie.
It’s famous for its set pieces, music and wintry Russian landscapes, although the primary location was in fact Spain, which unfortunately experienced its warmest winter for 50 years.
‘It was the only film I went to the cinema to see four times – it had the lot.’ Jean Gratton
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
3. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon (above, centre) star in Saving Private Ryan
The relentless opening sequence depicting the horror of the Normandy landings was filmed by Steven Spielberg over 15 days at Ballinesker Beach in County Wexford. Tom Hanks and Matt Damon star.
‘The camerawork is unmatched and gives a real “being there” feel to the horrors of war.’ Peter Flanagan
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
4. THE GREEN MILE (1999)
Another adaptation of a Stephen King prison story from Frank Darabont, the man behind The Shawshank Redemption, but this one has a supernatural element.
Tom Hanks plays a guard in charge of death row in a Louisiana prison, with Michael Clarke Duncan as a gentle giant prisoner.
‘A modern classic', says Simon Hawke.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
5. GLADIATOR (2000)
A slimmed-down, muscled-up Russell Crowe, plus Oliver Reed in his final role (he died during filming), star in Ridley Scott’s Roman extravaganza.
‘A rollercoaster ride with wonderful acting', says Stephen Downing.
On Netflix, or buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
6. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
Kevin Costner in stirring 1990s western Dancing With Wolves
Kevin Costner starred in, produced and made his directorial debut with this stirring Western.
Thanks to the film’s positive impact on the image of Native Americans, Costner was honoured ‘on behalf of the Indian Lakota nation’.
‘Our number one film.’ Jan and Terry Wedgbury
Available on DVD or Apple.
7. GOODFELLAS (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s horrific epic about gangsters in New York with Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and a chilling Joe Pesci.
‘I’ve watched this so much I can recite the dialogue, much to my late husband’s annoyance', writes Carole Oswin.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
8. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn in The African Queen
Humphrey Bogart won his only Oscar playing the grimy steamship captain who has an unlikely love affair with Katharine Hepburn’s puritanical missionary when they’re thrown together on his boat.
‘An absolute classic that has it all – drama, romance and comedy', says John Hames.
Buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
9. THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963)
This wartime classic is packed with memorable moments and characters such as the blind prisoner played by Donald Pleasence, an ex-PoW himself.
‘Everyone should see this at least once' says John Tsang.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
10. ET (1982)
With the line, ‘ET, phone home’, aliens proved they can be cute as one befriends a lonely boy.
‘A success for Spielberg, much better than his Jaws', says Robin Powell.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
11. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
Fleeing from a crop duster plane and chasing across Mount Rushmore are just two of the unforgettable set-pieces as Cary Grant plays an advertising executive who’s mistaken for a spy.
‘Hitchcock at his most brilliant best, I saw it at Radio City Cinema in New York in 1959' says Roger Mautner.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
12. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960)
‘They were seven, they fought like seven hundred,’ read the poster for this tale of a group of gunfighters hired to free a village from bandits.
‘One of the greatest Westerns ever' opines Terry Hone.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, and Sky.
13. FORREST GUMP (1994)
The digitally created scenes – such as Forrest dancing as a child while Elvis plays guitar – won this film the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
‘Uplifting and a great performance from Tom Hanks' says Barry Lenton.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
14. THE ITALIAN JOB (1969)
Michael Caine, Mini Coopers, a £4million heist and a literal cliffhanger ending make this 60s crime caper a classic.
‘British comedy and satire at its best', argues Martin Sheldrick.
Paramount+, buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky
15. ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984)
Sergio Leone was famous for his spaghetti Westerns but his last film was an epic tale of gangsters.
‘The greatest score' according to Kevan Booth.
On Disney+, buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
16. A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946)
Designed to smooth over strained Anglo-American relations, a British pilot is ready to jump from a burning plane when he falls in love with the voice of an American radio operator.
‘With its combination of romance, fantasy and war drama, it’s unique' says Tony McNamara.
On ITVX Premium, or buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
17. TITANIC (1997)
Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in James Cameron's 1997 classic Titanic
James Cameron’s film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet about a forbidden romance on board the sinking ship was the most expensive production at the time (with a budget of more than $200million) and won 11 Oscars.
‘A great film' says Graham Melville.
On Disney+, or you buy or rent it on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
18. NOW, VOYAGER (1942)
Bette Davis in Now, Voyager
Bette Davis goes from ugly duckling to swan when she escapes her domineering mother in this emotional melodrama. It was her biggest box-office hit.
‘A brilliant film not to be missed. I never tire of it' says Patricia Mullaley.
On BBC iPlayer until April 15, or buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
19. GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946)
When you think of the Dickens novel, images of foggy marshes and Miss Havisham’s mansion in David Lean’s film come to mind. John Mills, Jean Simmons and Alec Guinness lead the cast.
‘The most perfect film ever made' says Angela Redmond.
On ITVX Premium, or rent on Amazon, Apple and BFI Player.
20. MARY POPPINS (1964)
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins
This musical about a nanny who saves a family made a star of Julie Andrews.
‘A simply wonderful film – bring on the penguins!’ Brian Clegg.
On Disney+, or buy or rent on Amazon, Sky, Apple and Rakuten TV.
21. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
A forward-thinking love story starring Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy (in his final film) and Katharine Hepburn.
‘I love the anti-racism message and the quality of acting', says Lynne Ellis.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
22. RYAN’S DAUGHTER (1970)
David Lean’s Irish-set romantic drama starring Sarah Miles, Trevor Howard and John Mills, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in a Supporting Role.
‘I love it, but that’s purely personal as I love the west of Ireland' says Lorna Roberts.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
23. REBECCA (1940)
This Hitchcock thriller is adapted from the haunting Daphne du Maurier story
Laurence Olivier stars as a brooding aristocrat and Joan Fontaine as his young second wife in the first of Hitchcock’s American-made films, adapted from the haunting Daphne du Maurier story.
‘It has it all.’ Carole Ford
Free to watch on YouTube
24. THE CRUEL SEA (1953)
In The Cruel Sea, Lt Commander George Ericson and his crew members set out to save British convoys threatened by German U-boats in the North Atlantic
Jack Hawkins takes control of HMS Compass Rose, sent to escort convoys of shops threatened by German U-boats. Also stars Donald Sinden and Denholm Elliott.
‘With an all-star cast, Jack Hawkins gives a stunning performance backed up by superb photography.’ Neville Withers.
Buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
25. HOBSON’S CHOICE (1954)
Three daughters battle to escape the clutches of their overbearing father, played by Charles Laughton. Also stars John Mills, who called it his favourite film, and a young Prunella Scales.
'Three great tour de force performances from John Mills, Charles Laughton and Brenda de Banzie.' Roger Fownes.
Stream on Channel 4 until 22 April, but or rent on Amazon and Apple.
26. THE TERMINATOR (1984)
The fight is on to stop a cyborg killing machine disguised as a human that’s programmed to kill a woman and her unborn son. With Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. Was followed in 1991 by Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
‘A fantastic film and Arnie was born to play the role! A great story with an underlying, almost prophetic, message of humanity's treatment of each other.’ Lee Brooker.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
27. THE QUIET MAN (1952)
John Wayne leads the cast as a boxer who leaves America to return to his native Ireland.
Trouble ensues when he falls for a local girl played by Maureen O’Hara in a film that combines a love story with comedy and a great fight scene. John Ford won the Oscar for Best Director.
‘An all time classic with a superb cast showing John Wayne wasn't just a cowboy.’ Alan Hill.
Buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
28. GET CARTER (1971)
When his brother dies mysteriously, London gangster Jack Carter (played by Michael Caine) heads north to Newcastle to investigate.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
29. DIRTY DANCING (1987)
Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman grows up fast as she falls in love with Johnny, the dashing dance instructor, while on her summer break.
Stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. ‘It may not have changed the world but it continues to give joy, unforgettable lines (“No one puts Baby in the corner!”) and Patrick Swayze in his prime’, says Linda Sharman.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
30. COOL HAND LUKE (1967)
Paul Newman plays a prisoner who refuses to play by the rules even when sent to solitary confinement and becomes a hero to his fellow inmates.
‘One of Hollywood's greatest-ever stars, supported by a brilliant cast.’ John Clark
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
31. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra star in the romance set in wartime Hawaii that includes that famous beach scene. Won eight Oscars.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
32. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (1978)
Midnight Express is a 1978 prison drama directed by Alan Parker
Alan Parker’s thriller about a young American (Brad Davis) caught smuggling drugs and banged up in a Turkish prison that was billed as ‘a true story of triumph.’
‘A brilliant film.’ Sue Page
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky
33. MISSISSIPPI BURNING (1988)
Willem Dafoe and Gene Hackman star in Mississippi Burning
Two FBI agents are sent into a small Mississippi town to investigate when a group of civil rights workers goes missing.
Stars Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe and Frances McDormand. ‘Includes remarkable acting from the extraordinary Frances McDormand. If she was British she would be a Dame by now' says Clement O'Donovan.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
34. WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968)
War film from the Alistair MacLean book with an extraordinary cast including Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Mary Ure undertaking a daring raid on a German mountaintop castle.
‘The opening credits alone, with their outstanding music, set the scene for an incredibly well-thought-out and entertaining story. One of the most watchable films ever made,’ argues Doug Stephenson.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
35. CALAMITY JANE (1953)
This musical Western features Doris Day as Calamity Jane
Whip crack away! Doris Day gives the men a run for their money and can outdraw and outride every one of them until she meets Wild Bill Hickok, played by Howard Keel, in the glorious musical Western.
‘The best opening sequence of any film ever made.’ Brian Clegg.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.
36. THE BIG COUNTRY (1958)
Gregory Peck plays a sea captain who retires to the American West to marry his fiancee only to be drawn into a feud over land and water rights.
Also stars Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston and an Oscar-winning Burl Ives.
Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
37. SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992)
A young student agrees to babysit a blind veteran (Al Pacino) expecting a quiet time – instead the weekend involves women, good food, fine wine, and a spectacular tango with Gabrielle Anwar.
‘Al Pacino’s portrayal of blind, frustrated war hero, Frank Slade, is both delightful and sad to watch.’ Jenefer Edwards
On Amazon Prime Video, or you can rent on Apple.
38. THE GODFATHER II (1974)
The second in Coppola’s series acts as both a sequel and a prequel and won six Oscars. It follows the story of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, and also the backstory of his father, played by Robert De Niro.
Available on Paramount Plus, or buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
39. BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)
This film tells the story of the Russian Revolution of 1905
Sergei Eisenstein’s epic tale of the mutiny on board the battleship Potemkin during the Russian Revolution of 1905, ironically most famous for its land-based scene showing the violently quelled demonstration on the Odessa Steps.
‘Horrifyingly compelling in content and technique.’ PJR Trout
On BFI Player, buy or rent on Amazon, Apple.
40. BULLITT (1968)
Steve McQueen stars in this 1968 action thriller
Strap in for this action thriller as maverick San Francisco cop Steve McQueen speeds off on a car chase.
Also stars Jacqueline Bissett and Robert Vaughn. ‘Although the French Connection had a great car chase, Bullitt was its equal and had a more interesting narrative.’ Jean Turner
Buy or rent on Apple, Amazon, Rakuten TV and Sky
41. CINEMA PARADISO (1988)
A love letter to cinema with the story of a young boy who finds a haven from his war-torn Sicilian village in the local cinema. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
‘The clue is in the name.’ Dougal Cross
On Amazon Freevee, or you can buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
42. THE LADYKILLERS (1955)
Alec Guinness leads a gang of oddball criminals who pretend to be classical musicians and use a sweet old lady as a bewildered decoy. Also stars Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers.
‘The greatest of the Ealing Comedies, with an absolutely sterling cast.’ Bruce Hanson.
Buy or rent on Apple, Amazon and Sky .
43. PAPILLON (1973)
A safecracker and a counterfeiter join forces in this story of an escape from a brutal penal colony in French Guiana adapted from the bestselling book by Henri Charriere, who was himself once a prisoner there.
‘Screen legend Steve McQueen in an absolute corker of a film with Dustin Hoffman as the supporting actor' says Robin M. Powell.
On Prime Video, or you can buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Sky.
44. LA CONFIDENTIAL (1997)
It was Kim Basinger who won this film’s Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, in the tale of three very different cops investigating a murder, in an adaptation of a James Ellroy story. Also stars Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey.
On Prime Video and Disney+, or buy or rent on Amazon, Apple and Rakuten TV.
45. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman as two hustlers, one a male prostitute, the other the con man ‘Ratso’, become unlikely friends in this John Schlesinger film that won three Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.
‘A very good film, ahead of its time.’ Andrew Meese-Kennedy.
Buy or rent on Apple.
46. SOUTH PACIFIC (1958)
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical romance is set during World War II
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical romance set during World War II comes to life thanks to bubbly Mitzi Gaynor and the charming Rossano Brazzi.
‘Wonderful, with one of the best songs ever written, Some Enchanted Evening,' says Lorna Roberts.
Buy or rent Amazon and Apple.
47. BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)
Michael J Fox goes time-travelling as Marty McFly courtesy of his crazy inventor friend Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd) and a speeding DeLorean in the Robert Zemeckis classic.
On Sky/Now, or buy or rent on Amazon and Apple.
48. THE ODD COUPLE (1968)
Neurotic Felix and fun-loving Oscar, played by Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, decide to live together in this comedy written by Neil Simon and based on his 1965 play. ‘One of the best films ever' says Susan Stoneman.
On Paramount Plus, or you can rent on Apple.
49. BLADE RUNNER (1982)
Harrison Ford is forced back to his job as a hunter of humanoid Replicants when a group of them escapes, in Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Also stars Rutger Hauer and Sean Young, and features music by Vangelis. ‘One of the best sci-fi films ever made' says Meral Ince.
Buy or rent on Amazon and Rakuten TV.
50. GREASE (1978)
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this all-singing, all-dancing musical love story
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and some summer lovin’ singing and dancing classics. ‘Every time I watch it it gives me the feel-good factor and leaves me smiling for the rest of the day,’ says Betty Rout.
On Paramount Plus, or you can buy or rent on Amazon, Apple, Rakuten TV and Sky.