If you’re going to study film at university, it’s helpful to have a broad knowledge of movies before you arrive. In fact, it’s essential.
With that in mind, we’ve put together the ten must-watch films across a variety of genres that will help you make the best start to your film degree.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Japanese director Akira Kurosawa famously inspired many of the popular Hollywood directors, from George Lucas to Ingmar Bergman. Seven Samurai served as the inspiration for The Magnificent Seven and is considered by many critics to be one of the greatest films ever made. It acts as a good introduction to international cinemas and Asian action cinema.
12 Angry Men (1957)
Sidney Lumet’s drama, set in one room, addresses racism and the American judicial system through such a simple premise. Considered a classic of Hollywood’s studio era and of black and white cinema, the film is a great example of a flawless script executed perfectly by director and cast.
Solaris (1972)
One of the greats of philosophical and spiritual cinema is Soviet-era director Andrei Tarkovsky. His 1972 film Solaris combines the sci-fi setting of space with a spiritual journey on life and the deepest parts of human existence. This film is likely to leave you with more questions than answers but serves as a good introduction to world cinema and philosophy on film.
Rear Window (1954)
To go into a film degree without having seen a Hitchcock film seems unthinkable, so Rear Window is an essential watch. Often described as the greatest director of all-time, Hitchcock pioneered so many elements of modern filmmaking, and the camera work in Rear Window is an excellent example of this. A true classic of the thriller genre and features terrific performances from James Stewart and Grace Kelly.
The Big Sleep (1946)
Directed by one of the greats of Hollywood’s classic era, Howard Hawk’s The Big Sleep is one of the best Raymond Chandler adaptations to screen. Featuring an early star of Hollywood, Humphrey Bogart, alongside his frequent partner Lauren Bacall, this film is a prime example of film noir in Hollywood. As an important genre in film, this is a great introduction to the subject and an excellent demonstration of how to adapt a book on screen.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Continuing the film noir theme, Charles Laughton’s 1955 film The Night of the Hunter provides an interesting look at both the genre and film criticism. Despite being critically panned during its initial release, it has gone on to be regarded as one of the genres finest films and the gothic and horror elements have gained appreciation not held before.
The Shining (1980)
As with Hitchcock, any film student should’ve seen at least one Kubrick film before beginning their degree, and The Shining is one of most notorious. A true classic of the horror genre, the film documents the descent into insanity of Jack Nicholson’s character and how it affects his family, particularly Shelley Duvall. The film is beautifully shot and an example of technical brilliance in cinema.
The Godfather (1972)
Often referred to as the greatest film of all time, The Godfather is Francis Ford Coppola’s finest achievement as a director and the classic crime drama. Following 10 years in a mafia family, the film features some of the periods acting greats like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and James Caan in their best performances. During an era where directors were given more independence and budget, this film hits new heights for filmmaking and is a cinematic masterpiece.
The Red Shoes (1948)
In terms of British cinema, Pressburger and Powell are one of best recognised early directing teams. Their 1948 film The Red Shoes is arguably the greatest of their works, a romance drama about a ballet dancer and a composer, and how art and romance are in conflict. Seemingly an influence for Black Swan, the film is full of colour and is regarded as one of the greatest British films.
The Iron Giant (1999)
One of the great directors of animation during the early 21st century is Brad Bird, whose work includes Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and The Iron Giant. The later of these films is not only a classic of children’s animated cinema, but also a film adults and all audiences can appreciate. The film deals with emotion, discrimination, and the cold war in an accessible format.
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