Posted on 12/21/2014 7:36:31 AM PST by SeekAndFind
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- What's the best movie ever made? A subjective question, if ever there was one. That's the magic of movies: some folks will enjoy a film that may seem an endurance test for others.
While "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane" or "Lawrence of Arabia" may be prime examples of technical and artistic innovators, I challenge you to suggest a more important message than that found in "It's A Wonderful Life."
In this film about an angel sent to Earth to rescue a man on the brink of suicide, James Stewart's George Bailey is given the opportunity to see what his community would have been like had he never been born. Director Frank Capra reminds us that our compassion and responsibility make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact.
The things we say and do affect the lives of others. Hard to top that concept. Well, what about the movies that tell of Jesus, you ask? Good question. You are astute.
I can recall countless moments in "Jesus movies" that have touched, taught and inspired me. "The Passion of The Christ," for example, dynamically reenacts the physical horrors Christ endured. The movie is not really about what mankind did to Him, but about what He did for us.
But I would submit that It's A Wonderful Life shows Christ's teachings being put into action by a Believer.
I concede that there is no scene showing George hearing the Gospel and responding to it, so I'm making an assumption. That's another magic of the medium: the best movies let us project our sensibilities onto a film's theme. But when you analyze the consistency of George's caring nature that puts others first, is it really difficult to see him as a man of faith?
Some may not consider my film choice worthy of the title "Best Film" due to my least favorite element in the story -- the goofy angel. Clarence is good for a couple of laughs, but what impresses me with each viewing is the nature of the protagonist.
George is a real person, one with faults and foibles as well as nobility. We're allowed to see him struggle with frustration ("Why do we have to have all these kids!"). He's not a saint, but neither is he the average guy.
George is a complex fellow. While he dreams of adventures, again and again, he sets aside what he wants in order to serve other people. Something has impacted him throughout his life, some element that causes him to continually see the value in others. What makes a man do that even during the depth of self-despair?
Even during a clouded moment when he considers the proposition that he's worth more dead than alive, he abandons his suicidal choice to rescue a drowning stranger. Suddenly, his convictions remind him of life's sanctity.
I like to think of this as an example of how Christ has affected George. Yeah, I'm projecting, but it does add up. Something very spiritual is going on in this guy.
These are other prime contenders for the best film of all time.
The Oscar winning "All About Eve" has sophisticated dialogue unlike any other. "The Tree of Life" is a visual and viscerally emotional feast, with its exquisite imagery used to make profound statements. "Dr. Strangelove" is perhaps the best example of comic point-making satire. And each new "Star Wars" entry wows with special effects.
But the greatest aspect of any film is that which explores the soul of man. Without any sermons or altar calls, It's a Wonderful Life reveals how God's love transforms and sustains. For me, that makes it the best film of all time.
____________________________
In addition to writing for Baptist Press, Phil Boatwright reviews films for www.previewonline.org and is a regular contributor to "The World and Everything In It," a weekly radio program from WORLD News Group.
Airplane, Blazing Saddles (or anything else with or by Mel Brooks, Animal House...oh, wait...you asked for the best movie ever made...never mind.
Bit of trivia - Cary Grant was the first choice to play James Bond. The studio wanted a commitment to do a series of the films, but Grant would only commit to one.
Death Wish.
Stripes
Or the original Sleuth
Wow....had to go deep before any Freeper correctly identified the BEST movie ever made:
The Searchers
You want Christmas movies? Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life...
In that order.
Can I still say White Christmas or is that racist?
Best movies:
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Fifth Element
Bingo!! My all-time favorite movie, which I've probably watched over 50 times and the only movie I "own". Unlike a lot of people, I watch a movie to be entertained rather than educated or lectured to. If a movie has a message...fine. But, for me, that's not why I watch a film. Whether it's entertainment...escapism...just plain enjoyment of actors plying their craft...whatever it is, a social message is not why I watch movie. To me, The Quiet Man has it all and the magic between Wayne and O'Hara is palpable...simply the best!
Edge of the chair the whole time. Fantastic acting. Evil villain. Charming and pretty hero. And, of course, the bafoonish prison psychiatrist that you really didn't mind getting eaten in the end.
Indeed. I utterly loathe "It's a Wonderful Life." The premise that the world would be quite different if a specific person (selected at random) had not existed is ludicrous. And the movie just goes downhill from there, with its over-the-top sappiness.
It's hard to pick a movie that I would consider among the best ever made. Patton, The Addams Family, Beauty and the Beast... clearly, good movies can fall into any genre.
“Best Years of Our Lives” is better by far.
One of the best movies ever.
heh heh.
I love Airplane! It is one of my all-time favorites. Close second is Top Secret, which is just as zany and funny as Airplane! IMHO.
Do you know that if you say “Love Actually” 3 times in front of a mirror, Satan will appear?
Joe Dirt
Caddyshack
These movies tell about everything one needs to know.
Inconceiveable!
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Die Hard as the best Christmas movie yet.
I agree with Its a Wonderful Life. The premise is true. No matter who you are, your impact on others can change the world.
It’s a Wonderful Life, is one of my favorite movies as well. My take is; that the theme of envy, is personified by Mr. Potter, which shows the destruction that envy causes for the whole town, the movie also shows that retreat from the world, holds untold consequences, by premising the plot on how George wishes he was never born. It is a variation of the idea of envy, but an envy of the dead and the retreat from responsibility. The movie successfully demonstrates how envy can be overcome by charity.
Best movie ever? Easy. Unforgiven.
Weekend at Bernies II
It has every aspect of a Shakespearian classic play - the occult, love, hate, ambition, greed, humor, comic relief, death, wealth and it’s opulence, poverty and it’s blight, politics....
I could easily go on - but the brilliance of that masterpiece speaks for itself.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.