Clearly Establishing a list of the best films in history is a subjective matter. In the cinema, as in any art that boasts of being it, the contemplative experience is different in each person. What for some is synonymous with enjoyment and joy, for others it may be exactly the opposite.
However, there are masterpieces that generate unanimity. Films that enjoy universal acceptance and admiration.
The Oscar-winning films, Goya and the like are the best of the best. Or at least in theory. The same applies to those who win the jury prizes of one of the five Class A film festivals.
Although certain prejudices towards commercially successful tapes, there are some very blockbusters that are really extraordinary. Others are completely ignored by the public and remain as hidden treasures, available for the enjoyment of a few.
Lists with the best films in the history of cinema there are many, all valid. Here we propose one, organized without any qualifying order.
The seven samuraiby Akira Kurosawa (1954)
Es one of the most influential cinematographic works in world history. Kurosawa changed with this film, the way of telling and directing action stories. Winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
The silence of the lambsby Johnathan Demme (1991)
A film made under the Hollywood commercial machinery, but with an unquestionable level of quality.
The acting challenge posed by the scenes in which Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins they share the scene, it is simply impressive.
Winner of 5 Oscars, the third in history to win the five main categories: Film, Actor, Actress, Direction and Screenplay.
Tiger and dragonby Ang Lee (2000)
Taiwanese director Ang Lee revolutionized martial arts cinema ("Wuxia" in Chinese) with this choreographic work. In addition to being multi-award-winning (Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film), it was an indisputable success with audiences around the world.
The battleship Potemkin, by Sergei M. Eisentein (1925)
At the height of Russian Formalism, a literary movement that changed the way of studying literature, Eisentein made his own “linguistic” proposal regarding cinema. The famous Russian filmmaker exploded to the fullest the role of cinematographic montage as a creator of signifiers.
Practically all the lists with the best films in history include this film.
Sharkby Steven Spielberg (1975)
Based on the novel Jaws (Jaws) by Peter Bencheley. Another example that commercial cinema is not necessarily at odds with quality.
Many praise Spielberg's leadership, highlighting his ability to sow terror in the audience, without even having to show the monster.
Special mention for the soundtrack composed by John Williams.
Psychosisby Alfred Hitchcock (1960)
Before Spielberg and Williams, Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann formed a duo to create suspense from the combination of suggestive images. We must not forget either the minimalist music in its composition, with almost disturbing effects.
The Exorcist, by William Friedkin (1973)
The film is based on the eponymous book by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the script for the tape.
In addition to being one of the best movies in history, it is one of the most disturbing for most of the movie lovers.
Snow White, by Pablo Berger (2012)
Spanish cinema also has its share on this list. The proposal by the Basque director Pablo Berger, is to return to the "old" ways of cinematographic work (silent cinema, monochrome photography and music as narrative thread), to create an original product.
Special Jury Prize at the San Sebastián Film Festival. It had 18 Goya Award nominations, winning 10, including Best Picture.
The Artist, by Michel Hazanavicius (2011)
Es one of the most awarded films of the last decade. Winner as Best Film at the Oscars, Bafta and Cesar awards, among others. And it is that Hazanavicius's work is the most awarded French film of all time.
With more than 130 million dollars raised, the public of much of the world also ended up surrendered to the feet of this tape.
The boyby Charles Chaplin (1921)
One of the emblematic works within the rich filmography of Charles Chaplin.
True to his style, the British filmmaker developed the best of his career within the nascent Hollywood industry. This time, He masterfully mixes a certain social problem with the most naive and innocent comedy.
Del revésby Pete Docter (2015)
Many may be surprised by the inclusion of this animated film among the best films in history. Nevertheless, the merit of Docter's story is in recreating mental processes in a clear way. And also in a very entertaining way.
Toy Story 3by Lee Unkrich (2010)
The year 1995 will remain in the history of cinema as one of those years that mark a before and after. To use a scriptwriters term, it represents a turning point. In the middle of the last decade of the XNUMXth century, Toy Story, the first animated film worked entirely by computer.
Without detracting from the artistic merits of John Lasseter's work, the maturity of the franchise would arrive in 2010 with the premiere of the third part.
More than a billion dollars raised all over the world, they account for the public's response.
Grave of the Firefliesby Isao Takahata (1988)
Japanese anime also has a place among the best movies in history. The "naivety" of cartoons serves as the setting for a story that reflects the absurdity of war. It is considered one of the most powerful war movies.
Save Private Ryanby Steven Spielberg (1998)
Other war drama within the framework of World War II, although this time in French territory.
Although the plot of this film is implausible, the awesome Spielberg address, along with the acting work of Tom Hanks and the music of John Williams, are worth their own place on this list.
Y Tu Mama Tambien, by Alfonso Cuarón (2001)
The ups and downs of late adolescence, particularly obsession around sex, Told in a comedy tone. Some Latin American magical realism as a backdrop. It is a story that does not leave aside the social and economic problems of the Aztec nation.
Starring Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal and Maribel Verdú. It is the film par excellence of the New Mexican Cinema.
Open your eyes, by Alejandro Amenábar (1997)
Life can be a very rewarding and peaceful dream. It can also be the most horrible of nightmares. Vanity, jealousy and lust, capital sins that serve as a panacea to hell.
After the surprise represented by Amenábar's debut with Thesis, his second feature film shows a mature and unmistakable style.
City of God, by Fernando Meirelles (2002)
Latin American cinema has a lot of social problems and dramas set in the poorest neighborhoods of the big cities.
However, Meirelles' work, focused on the impressive favelas of Rio de Janeiro, is particularly fresh. And this thanks to a staging that renounces artifice, but combined with a handling of the frame and extremely risky editing.
Four Oscar nominations, including Best Direction. Bafta Winner for Best Editing.
Into the sea, by Alejandro Amenábar (2004)
New Amenábar film in our list with the best films in history.
Based on the life of the Galician writer Ramón Sampedro, who after being a quadriplegic fought for the decriminalization of euthanasia. He also advocated that people who attended the "suicide" were not convicted of any crime.
Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. 15 nominations at the Goya Awards, winning a total of 14 statuettes, including Best Film, Director and Actor (Javier Bardem).
ET the alienby Steven Spielberg (1982)
Spielberg's third film in this ranking, shows his undeniable talent and versatility, without neglecting his ability to make money.
For many critics, it is the Best Science Fiction Movie of all time. Nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Director. Finally it obtained four awards, among which the Best Soundtrack (John Williams) stands out.
Batmanby Tim Burton (1989)
All the superhero ribbonsTo the disgust of Steven Spielberg, who considers them a fad, they don't just sweep the box office. In some cases they are also celebrated by critics.
After Superman by Richard Donner (1978), the film that ended up shaping this subgenre was precisely Batman.
So much the dark atmosphere created by Burton, like the music composed by Danny Elfman, are still widely imitated almost 30 years later.
Other films that deserve to be among the best films in history
Many good movies that deserve to be included are left out of this list. The Godfather I and II by Francis Ford Coppola for example. Life of Pi y Brokeback Mountain by Ang Lee or The Shining by Stanley Kubrick. Also musicals like The, The, Land by Damien Chazelle. Of Spanish manufacture, it would be necessary to add Tie me up by Pedro Almodóvar, The Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro and The orphanage scored by Juan Antonio Bayona.
Image sources: YouTube / HobbyConsoles / The New York Times / joshbenson.com