From the beginning, movies have been one of the driving forces behind bringing people together. Whether it's a family movie night, a friendly debate about how Star Wars changed the cinematic universe or your special comfort movie for rainy days. Since its creation dates back to 1888 in England, the cinematic world has influenced the global population.
In America, specifically, there has been an argument for quite some time:what are the most iconic films of all time? Through extensive research of film heritage, directing and commercial success, we will discuss the 10 most iconic films in American history. Not only that, but why is it considered that?
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Jaws (1975)
This infamous Universal Studios The film was directed by young Steven Speilberg towards the beginning of his famous career. Based on Peter Benchley's novel, the film follows a small town in New England, Amity Island, where many businesses depend on tourists to make ends meet each year. When a young woman is killed while swimming near the island, the city breaks out in panic.
Despite Chief of Police Brody's desire to close the beaches, the mayor of Amity Islands overrides this, fearing that without the beaches they will not receive business from tourists. In search of individuals crazy enough to help kill the big animal, Brody finds an ichthyologist (fish biology expert), Matt Hooper, and sea captain Quint. Together and with great difficulty, the trio come together and kill the beast successfully.
From the release in cinemas back in June '75, Shark Summer has been considered a timeless masterpiece by all who have seen it. Although it was considered too scary for young people and those who fear the sea, it had extreme success in the box office. It featured iconic films such as The Godfather (1972) in a screening for the first weekend. It was named a "real summer blockbuster."
Additional Jaws Facts
According to experts from IMDb , this film was responsible for "setting the standard" for American films. Never before had Hollywood increased the commercialization of a film in its history. This film, in addition to increasing Speilberg's career, was the beginning of the composer John Williams' success. Composing a two-tone score created an intense fear among audiences across America.
However, what starts this film down to the tenth track is its negative stereotypes. Although many cannot help what they are afraid of, this film increased the fear of one of the oldest species in the world. Even before this film, sharks had always had negative connotations. However, it did not exactly help to make it the villain. Despite this, and three failed sequels, this film is still one of the most infamous to date.
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Singing in the Rain (1952)
Considered one of the most successful musicals in film history, this film has received applause for decades to come. Together with Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly (known for her dance moves and plays) both co-directed and maintained a leading role.
The film takes place in 1920s California and follows the complexity of the Hollywood film industry. Now that "talking ice" has taken over, silent film stars Don (Kelly) and Lina (Jean Hagen) must adapt to a new way of playing. However, Don gets into trouble when it is revealed that Lina has a terrible voice.
In an attempt to replace Lina's voice behind her back, Don appoints an amateur actress, Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds), as a replacement voice. During the film, accompanied by many musical numbers, Don and Kathy fall in love. The film ends with Seldon finally getting the credit for her talent and becoming the famous actress she has always dreamed of.
Singing in the Rain Div.
Apart from the fact that actors like Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds play in this picture, there are many reasons why this film is considered iconic. A great honor goes to the costume designer, Walter Plunkett, who also designed for photos such as Taken by the Wind. Referring to this image as the best work he has ever done, many describe his vision of the costume as "revolutionary."
A big factor that came into play to give this film success was of course the music. Named to accompany the film, "Singing in the Rain", sung by Gene Kelly, is considered one of the most iconic songs in the United States. It has been shown in other movies and commercials around the world, and it is a title known to many.
Although this film was known to be quite difficult to complete due to demanding directors and various injuries, it still managed to land in ninth place overall.
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The Wizard of Oz (1939)
It's no secret that many people are familiar with this movie. One of the oldest films on this list, The Wizard of Oz, was released in 1939 and was directed by Victor Fleming. Fleming based this iconic film on L. Frank Baum's children's novel of the same title from 1900. Starring a young Judy Garland, Jack Haley and Margaret Hamilton, this colorful film has touched the lives of young and old.
The feature film follows a young farm girl, Dorothy (Garland), who seems to be dissatisfied with her life in the country. But when a tornado tears through the state of Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are sent to the magical world of Oz. Dorothy seeks to return home and escape the evil witch from the West, and is sent on a journey down the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard of Oz.
Still details about Wizard of Oz
Along the way, the young girl becomes friends with a silly scarecrow, a cheerful eye-catcher and a grumpy lion man. Dorothy takes them on the journey and assures her friends that the wizard can give them what they want. To avoid danger and defeat the evil witch, the group meets the wizard. Even if he turns out to be a scam, each character gets what they want. What gives this film its magic, apart from the attention to detail, is the very end. Using the magic of Dorothy's ruby red slippers, she wakes up in bed surrounded by her family.
Many audiences have wondered over the years if the slippers worked, or maybe if it had all been a dream. Since the success of this film, there have been many references in other works. Songs like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Follow The Yellowbrick Road" are still considered great works to this day. Personally, there is not a single person I know who has not heard of the movie!
- Gone with the Wind (1939)
Released no later than one year after the eighth-ranked film, Taken by the Wind is definitely a movie many have heard of. Also directed by Victor Fleming with a screenplay by Sidney Howard, this film was considered one of the most epic dramas of its time. Fleming based the film on the 1936 novel written by Margaret Mitchell.
The story takes place in the Civil War era South, and follows a stubborn "Southern Belle", Scarlett O'Hara, and her trials through war and love. O'Hara keeps the family plantation afloat during the tragic collapse of the South, and becomes entangled in various love affairs and dealing with treasures.
This long film stars others such as Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland and the first black actress to receive an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel. Aside from the extravagant costume design and gripping plot, much of the film's reputation lies in the script. From O'Hara's phrase "I will never be hungry again," or Gables' "frankly my dear, I do not care a damn." These lines have reached such a significant level that they are still used today.
Although this film is a great depiction of life in the South at the end of the eighteenth century, many audiences have been disappointed with how the black society was represented. Despite Fleming assuring the public that slave characters would be accurately represented, many stereotypes were placed on them. Despite the fact that each of them plays noble roles, the controversies surrounding their characteristics are openly discussed to this day.
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Citizen Kane (1941)
Despite the fact that it is a picture that is not seen by everyone, Citizen Kane is considered one of the most open mystery films in history. Described as an American drama and thriller, this film includes both the direction and acting of a young actor, Orson Welles. With contributing inspiration from the original script by Herman J. Mankiewicz, the audience had to guess until the very end.
The film begins after the death of a "publishing magnate", Charles Foster Kane (Welles.) Due to his wealth, a reporter is commissioned to discover the mystery behind Kane's last word, "rosebud". Instead of immediately interpreting the meaning, the reporter reveals the extremely complex life of a man that many were not aware of.
With the help of a fellow friend and his own mistress, the group is able to uncover the true meaning behind this vague word really meant. Following themes of innocence and corruption, this thriller touches on topics many dare not shed light on. Listed in many articles as one of the movies "you must see before you die", the legacy will last a lifetime.
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It's a Fantastic Life (1946)
This picture is described as a "Christmas classic for the whole family", and it certainly is. Directed by Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life is linked to various holiday movies. Although the film had many original qualities, it was loosely based on a short story, The Greatest Gift , by Phillip Van Doren Stern.
Described as both a comedy and a drama, this film follows a man named George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) and the ups and downs of life. A common theme is that Bailey seems to be missing out on things he had hoped to do. Bailey generously gives college money to his younger brother and takes over his father's business instead of traveling, and Bailey never leaves the fictional town of Bedford Falls.
After getting married, settling down and having children, it seems that life is going well, regardless of whether he misses anything. However, Bailey then experiences an adversity that makes him consider suicide on Christmas Eve. Before he gets the chance, a guardian angel, Clarence, is sent to convince Bailey to reconsider. By showing him how life would change for others without his good deeds, George realizes how wonderful his life really is.
According to the film's large fan base, the main reason for the film's popularity is due to the timeless message it portrays. Despite the things George did not do and the difficulties he faced, he was still able to figure out what good things lay ahead. That even if some things do not work, you can always be grateful for what you have. Played on Christmas Eve by millions every year, it's no wonder this movie has touched the lives of many.
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Schindler's List (1993)
In the course of film history, there have been countless films that tell of the horrors of the Holocaust. Men, Schindler's List is considered the movie that tops them all. Directed by the great director Steven Speilberg, many praised this film for touching on a unique perspective on this dark time in history.
After the true story of a Czech businessman, Oskar Schindler, we see how a man seeking self-interest begins to discover the good in helping others. With the goal of earning money and success from World War II, Schindler moves to Krakow, Germany, and joins the Nazi party. By hiring many Jewish workers to staff his factory, Schindler decides to protect his employees from Nazi inspection through a large bribe. By doing so, he saved the lives of over 1,000 people. When he is forced to leave the city after his company loses money, the workers give him a signed list that testifies to his heroic deeds.
Filmed in black and white, this movie is another movie most people claim you have to see before you die. Speilberg's work shows exactly the brutality shown to the Polish-Jewish community by the cruel Nazi soldiers, and is one of the few Holocaust films that has received approval from the Jewish community.
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Star Wars (trilogy)
With a total of nine movies and several series in progress, Star Wars is a story and a franchise that has gained a lot of fans over the years. Through extensive research, however, it seems that many can not decide which film is the most iconic. One thing can be said for sure, the first three films (1977, 1980 and 1983) are considered the most memorable. These films are made and directed by George Lucas, and are not only loved by many, but have also had extreme success at the box office. Lucas earns over $ 10.3 billion worldwide, and continues to pump out series to this day.
The first three films follow young Luke Skywalker and his journey to become a Jedi knight. With Skywalker and his friends, we are witnessing exciting battles between the evil empire, led by Darth Vadar, and the peaceful uprising. Between epic lightsaber duels and dizzying love scenes, these films have been known to reach young and old audiences.
This is precisely why films have inherited such a feature over the years. Many agree that if a film is to have a wide audience, it must have some iconic qualities. Apart from the lovable characters, detailed story lines and countless references to other films, one of the most famous lines in film history is included. Darth Vadar's frightening words have often been misquoted:"No, I'm your father."
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Casablanca (1942)
Despite the fact that this film lost its luster in the age of the new film industry, Casablanca has always had a well-known reputation among avid movie fans. Adapted from an unproduced play written by American playwright Murray Burnett, director Michael Curtiz put his own spin on it.
The film takes place in the crowded city of Casablanca in Morocco. After the start of World War II, Rick Blaine (Humprey Bogart) finds it increasingly difficult to keep the peace in his successful bar. In this city many people wait patiently in hopes of traveling. Many individuals chose Rick's bar to meet in secret, hoping to obtain papers to escape prosecution. His world changes when his old girlfriend, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), comes to town with her husband and rebel, Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid).
Hoping to escape the German investigation, Ilsa looks to Rick for help. Although reluctant, Rick helps them get the papers and make travel preparations to flee the country. Through gripping scenes of love and war, many are left to guess until the very end. A big reason for the film's legacy is due to the end, as many have discussed whether Ilsa's choice to leave was the right one.
With a unique perspective on World War II, not including the battlefield, the cultural significance of this image has never been forgotten. Although the film only had a strong impression on an older audience, it has retained its strong influence over the years.
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The Godfather (1972)
Finally, we see the film considered one of the greatest of all time. Lists have been made over many decades, but this film has almost always been at the top. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather has won countless awards and has received love from around the world. These big movie stars are based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same title, as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
The film follows the trials and tribulations of a powerful Italian-American bullying family, led by Don Vito Corleone (Brando). When his youngest son, Michael (Pacino), reluctantly joins the family business, he is swept into many trouble. Violence, money, murder and violence take Michael further from his wife and deeper into the mob.
Over the years, this film has gained a lot of respect due to not only the fair portrayal of the powerful mob, but Italian-Americans in general. Coppola decided when he made the film that it would be free from the typical, offensive, stereotypes that were placed on these people. This, and well-known lines such as "I want to give him an offer he can not refuse," are the reason why it has gained such notoriety.
Only time will tell
Despite the films being considered the most iconic in history, there are of course many others up for debate. With honorable mentions such as James Bond movies, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Rebel Without a Cause , topics like this are generally left to one's own opinion. What movies will take over these places in the future? Only time will tell.