The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
04-22-13, 11:41 AM
#1
DVD Talk Hero - 2023 TOTY Award Winner
Thread Starter
The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
I was thinking about this list this morning on the drive into work for some reason. Specifically, if I could include a couple of films on the list that are not (or were not in 1997) on there, what would I put in?
Here is the list, including those films removed from the 1997 list in 2007, as well as the inclusion criteria:
So which few films would you add if you ran the list? Please exclude films that were on the original list but were removed and keep the inclusion criteria at least somewhat in mind. Films made since 2007 are fair game.
This thread is not about quibbling with what is one there now and you needn't pick which film(s) your choices would bump if you could add some.
Here is the list, including those films removed from the 1997 list in 2007, as well as the inclusion criteria:
The American Film Institute's new Top 100 list, announced June 20, 2007. Movement up/down since the 1997 list noted in parentheses (there are also 23 new films).
1. Citizen Kane (1941) (no change)
2. The Godfather (1972) (+1)
3. Casablanca (1942) (-1)
4. Raging Bull (1980) (+20)
5. Singin' in the Rain (1952) (+5)
6. Gone with the Wind (1939) (-2)
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) (-2)
8. Schindler's List (1993) (+1)
9. Vertigo (1958) (+52)
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) (-4)
11. City Lights (1931) (+65)
12. The Searchers (1956) (+84)
13. Star Wars (1977) (+2)
14. Psycho (1960) (+4)
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) (+7)
16. Sunset Boulevard (1950) (-4)
17. The Graduate (1967) (-10)
18. The General (1927) (NEW)
19. On the Waterfront (1954) (-11)
20. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (-9)
21. Chinatown (1974) (-2)
22. Some Like It Hot (1959) (-8)
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) (-2)
24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (+1)
25. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) (+9)
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) (+3)
27. High Noon (1952) (+6)
28. All About Eve (1950) (-12)
29. Double Indemnity (1944) (+9)
30. Apocalypse Now (1979) (-2)
31. The Maltese Falcon (1941) (-8)
32. The Godfather Part II (1974) (no change)
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) (-13)
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) (+15)
35. Annie Hall (1977) (-4)
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) (-23)
37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) (no change)
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) (-8)
39. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) (-13)
40. The Sound of Music (1965) (+15)
41. King Kong (1933) (+2)
42. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) (-15)
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969) (-7)
44. The Philadelphia Story (1940) (+7)
45. Shane (1953) (+24)
46. It Happened One Night (1934) (-11)
47. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) (-2)
48. Rear Window (1954) (-6)
49. Intolerance (1916) (NEW)
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (NEW)
51. West Side Story (1961) (-10)
52. Taxi Driver (1976) (-5)
53. The Deer Hunter (1978) (+26)
54. M*A*S*H (1970) (+2)
55. North by Northwest (1959) (-15)
56. Jaws (1975) (-8)
57. Rocky (1976) (+21)
58. The Gold Rush (1925) (+16)
59. Nashville (1975) (NEW)
60. Duck Soup (1933) (+25)
61. Sullivan’s Travels (1941) (NEW)
62. American Graffiti (1973) (+15)
63. Cabaret (1972) (NEW)
64. Network (1976) (+2)
65. The African Queen (1951) (-47)
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) (-6)
67. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) (NEW)
68. Unforgiven (1992) (+30)
69. Tootsie (1982) (-7)
70. A Clockwork Orange (1971) (-24)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998) (NEW)
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (NEW)
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) (-23)
74. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) (-9)
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967) (NEW)
76. Forrest Gump (1994) (-5)
77. All the President’s Men (1976) (NEW)
78. Modern Times (1936) (+3)
79. The Wild Bunch (1969) (+1)
80. The Apartment (1960) (+13)
81. Spartacus (1960) (NEW)
82. Sunrise (1927) (NEW)
83. Titanic (1997) (NEW)
84. Easy Rider (1969) (+4)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935) (NEW)
86. Platoon (1986) (-3)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957) (NEW)
88. Bringing Up Baby (1938) (+9)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999) (NEW)
90. Swing Time (1936) (NEW)
91. Sophie’s Choice (1982) (NEW)
92. Goodfellas (1990) (+2)
93. The French Connection (1971) (-23)
94. Pulp Fiction (1994) (+1)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971) (NEW)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989) (NEW)
97. Blade Runner (1982) (NEW)
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) (+2)
99. Toy Story (1995) (NEW)
100. Ben-Hur (1959) (-28)
The 23 films now GONE from the list:
Doctor Zhivago (1965) (formerly 39)
The Birth of a Nation (1915) (formerly 44)
From Here to Eternity (1953) (formerly 52)
Amadeus (1984) (formerly 53)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) (formerly 54)
The Third Man (1949) (formerly 57)
Fantasia (1940) (formerly 58)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) (formerly 59)
Stagecoach (1939) (formerly 63)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) (formerly 64)
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) (formerly 67)
An American in Paris (1951) (formerly 68)
Wuthering Heights (1939) (formerly 73)
Dances with Wolves (1990) (formerly 75)
Giant (1956) (formerly 82)
Fargo (1996) (formerly 84)
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (formerly 86)
Frankenstein (1931) (formerly 87)
Patton (1970) (formerly 89)
The Jazz Singer (1927) (formerly 90)
My Fair Lady (1964) (formerly 91)
A Place in the Sun (1951) (formerly 92)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) (formerly 99)
Criteria for consideration, per the 2007 ballot:
- Feature-length fiction film - Narrative format, typically over 60 minutes in length.
- American film - Motion picture with significant creative and/or production elements from the United States.
- Critical recognition - Formal commendation in print, television and digital media.
- Major award winner - Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups, critics, guilds and major film festivals.
- Popularity over time - Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals.
- Historical significance - A film's mark on the history of the moving image through visionary narrative devices, technical innovation, or other groundbreaking achievements.
- Cultural impact - A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance.
1. Citizen Kane (1941) (no change)
2. The Godfather (1972) (+1)
3. Casablanca (1942) (-1)
4. Raging Bull (1980) (+20)
5. Singin' in the Rain (1952) (+5)
6. Gone with the Wind (1939) (-2)
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) (-2)
8. Schindler's List (1993) (+1)
9. Vertigo (1958) (+52)
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) (-4)
11. City Lights (1931) (+65)
12. The Searchers (1956) (+84)
13. Star Wars (1977) (+2)
14. Psycho (1960) (+4)
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) (+7)
16. Sunset Boulevard (1950) (-4)
17. The Graduate (1967) (-10)
18. The General (1927) (NEW)
19. On the Waterfront (1954) (-11)
20. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (-9)
21. Chinatown (1974) (-2)
22. Some Like It Hot (1959) (-8)
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) (-2)
24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (+1)
25. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) (+9)
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) (+3)
27. High Noon (1952) (+6)
28. All About Eve (1950) (-12)
29. Double Indemnity (1944) (+9)
30. Apocalypse Now (1979) (-2)
31. The Maltese Falcon (1941) (-8)
32. The Godfather Part II (1974) (no change)
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) (-13)
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) (+15)
35. Annie Hall (1977) (-4)
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) (-23)
37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) (no change)
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) (-8)
39. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) (-13)
40. The Sound of Music (1965) (+15)
41. King Kong (1933) (+2)
42. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) (-15)
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969) (-7)
44. The Philadelphia Story (1940) (+7)
45. Shane (1953) (+24)
46. It Happened One Night (1934) (-11)
47. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) (-2)
48. Rear Window (1954) (-6)
49. Intolerance (1916) (NEW)
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (NEW)
51. West Side Story (1961) (-10)
52. Taxi Driver (1976) (-5)
53. The Deer Hunter (1978) (+26)
54. M*A*S*H (1970) (+2)
55. North by Northwest (1959) (-15)
56. Jaws (1975) (-8)
57. Rocky (1976) (+21)
58. The Gold Rush (1925) (+16)
59. Nashville (1975) (NEW)
60. Duck Soup (1933) (+25)
61. Sullivan’s Travels (1941) (NEW)
62. American Graffiti (1973) (+15)
63. Cabaret (1972) (NEW)
64. Network (1976) (+2)
65. The African Queen (1951) (-47)
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) (-6)
67. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) (NEW)
68. Unforgiven (1992) (+30)
69. Tootsie (1982) (-7)
70. A Clockwork Orange (1971) (-24)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998) (NEW)
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (NEW)
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) (-23)
74. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) (-9)
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967) (NEW)
76. Forrest Gump (1994) (-5)
77. All the President’s Men (1976) (NEW)
78. Modern Times (1936) (+3)
79. The Wild Bunch (1969) (+1)
80. The Apartment (1960) (+13)
81. Spartacus (1960) (NEW)
82. Sunrise (1927) (NEW)
83. Titanic (1997) (NEW)
84. Easy Rider (1969) (+4)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935) (NEW)
86. Platoon (1986) (-3)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957) (NEW)
88. Bringing Up Baby (1938) (+9)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999) (NEW)
90. Swing Time (1936) (NEW)
91. Sophie’s Choice (1982) (NEW)
92. Goodfellas (1990) (+2)
93. The French Connection (1971) (-23)
94. Pulp Fiction (1994) (+1)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971) (NEW)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989) (NEW)
97. Blade Runner (1982) (NEW)
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) (+2)
99. Toy Story (1995) (NEW)
100. Ben-Hur (1959) (-28)
The 23 films now GONE from the list:
Doctor Zhivago (1965) (formerly 39)
The Birth of a Nation (1915) (formerly 44)
From Here to Eternity (1953) (formerly 52)
Amadeus (1984) (formerly 53)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) (formerly 54)
The Third Man (1949) (formerly 57)
Fantasia (1940) (formerly 58)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) (formerly 59)
Stagecoach (1939) (formerly 63)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) (formerly 64)
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) (formerly 67)
An American in Paris (1951) (formerly 68)
Wuthering Heights (1939) (formerly 73)
Dances with Wolves (1990) (formerly 75)
Giant (1956) (formerly 82)
Fargo (1996) (formerly 84)
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (formerly 86)
Frankenstein (1931) (formerly 87)
Patton (1970) (formerly 89)
The Jazz Singer (1927) (formerly 90)
My Fair Lady (1964) (formerly 91)
A Place in the Sun (1951) (formerly 92)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) (formerly 99)
Criteria for consideration, per the 2007 ballot:
- Feature-length fiction film - Narrative format, typically over 60 minutes in length.
- American film - Motion picture with significant creative and/or production elements from the United States.
- Critical recognition - Formal commendation in print, television and digital media.
- Major award winner - Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups, critics, guilds and major film festivals.
- Popularity over time - Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals.
- Historical significance - A film's mark on the history of the moving image through visionary narrative devices, technical innovation, or other groundbreaking achievements.
- Cultural impact - A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance.
This thread is not about quibbling with what is one there now and you needn't pick which film(s) your choices would bump if you could add some.
04-22-13, 11:44 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hero - 2023 TOTY Award Winner
Thread Starter
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
One thing I noticed in a quick skim of the list is that there are very few comedies/comedic films and almost no comedies that are "modern". Toy Story is the only one that jumps out at me.
I would truthfully add Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I think it truly is one of the great modern comedic films.
I would truthfully add Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I think it truly is one of the great modern comedic films.
04-22-13, 11:55 AM
#3
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Nothing by W.C. Fields in there. I would put in either YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN, THE BANK DICK, or NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK--or all three--and take out FORREST GUMP, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and TITANIC.
Also, where's a Howard Hawks western? No RIO BRAVO and no RED RIVER. Take out TOOTSIE and LORD OF THE RINGS.
And no Anthony Mann, either. I'd put in WINCHESTER '73, BEND OF THE RIVER or EL CID over WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, BUTCH CASSIDY and SIXTH SENSE.
At least THE WILD BUNCH is there, but where's THE DIRTY DOZEN?
And put the following back in: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, and FRANKENSTEIN!
EDIT:
I just noticed this. Sorry about that. I got carried away.
Also, where's a Howard Hawks western? No RIO BRAVO and no RED RIVER. Take out TOOTSIE and LORD OF THE RINGS.
And no Anthony Mann, either. I'd put in WINCHESTER '73, BEND OF THE RIVER or EL CID over WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, BUTCH CASSIDY and SIXTH SENSE.
At least THE WILD BUNCH is there, but where's THE DIRTY DOZEN?
And put the following back in: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, and FRANKENSTEIN!
EDIT:
So which few films would you add if you ran the list? Please exclude films that were on the original list but were removed and keep the inclusion criteria at least somewhat in mind. Films made since 2007 are fair game.
This thread is not about quibbling with what is one there now and you needn't pick which film(s) your choices would bump if you could add some.
This thread is not about quibbling with what is one there now and you needn't pick which film(s) your choices would bump if you could add some.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 04-22-13 at 12:09 PM.
04-22-13, 01:36 PM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood; perhaps both.
I'm a little confused. Did you just want films released since 2007, or at any time but including recent films? In any case, those are the only two I think I would add since 2007.
I'm a little confused. Did you just want films released since 2007, or at any time but including recent films? In any case, those are the only two I think I would add since 2007.
Last edited by Drexl; 04-22-13 at 01:45 PM.
04-22-13, 01:45 PM
#5
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
A film that always stands out in my mind whenever I think about the great American films ever since I saw it 5-10 years ago is Nightmare Alley. It's a brilliant film. A case could be made that it's the best American film ever made, but it's woefully unseen. I think there was a rights issue that kept it out of circulation for 40+ years so it missed the critical revival boom of the 60's and 70's. It's a fucking amazing film.
The criteria listed above that hurts the film's case is: "Popularity over time - Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals"
It's criminally unseen.
There are so many B films from second tier directors that are such perfectly constructed little gems. They get the short end of the stick because, while popular and sometimes lauded, they don't have the sheen or prestige or "importance" or whatever it is that gets films on to these lists. But for my money something like The Tall T or Gun Crazy are every bit as perfect as Casablanca.
The criteria listed above that hurts the film's case is: "Popularity over time - Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals"
It's criminally unseen.
There are so many B films from second tier directors that are such perfectly constructed little gems. They get the short end of the stick because, while popular and sometimes lauded, they don't have the sheen or prestige or "importance" or whatever it is that gets films on to these lists. But for my money something like The Tall T or Gun Crazy are every bit as perfect as Casablanca.
04-22-13, 02:14 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Sadly, that movie will never get the love it deserves. I think it's one of the best comedies of all-time (it's my personal favorite comedy), but too many critics just see it as "the John Hughes movie without teenagers."
04-22-13, 03:33 PM
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
04-22-13, 03:46 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Mulholland Dr. should be on there, IMO. Part film noir, part living nightmare, part take on Hollywood/the movie industry, and all brilliant.
Also: Head
Also: Head
04-30-13, 09:12 AM
#10
RIP
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
A film that always stands out in my mind whenever I think about the great American films ever since I saw it 5-10 years ago is Nightmare Alley. It's a brilliant film. A case could be made that it's the best American film ever made, but it's woefully unseen. I think there was a rights issue that kept it out of circulation for 40+ years so it missed the critical revival boom of the 60's and 70's. It's a fucking amazing film.
04-30-13, 11:02 AM
#11
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
It's really good. If you like movies about confidence games, like David Mammet movies, you'll love it.
04-30-13, 11:18 AM
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Between 1997 and when they re-did the list in 2007 The Third Man was named the number 1 British film on the BFI's list. While it was a US/UK co-production it really is much more a British film than an American one.
04-30-13, 11:40 AM
#14
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Co-financed by Alexander Korda (British) & David O. Selznick (American).
04-30-13, 11:45 AM
#15
RIP
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Still, I can't forgive the likes of All Quiet on the Western Front, Rebel without a Cause, Fargo, etc. being removed, while The Sixth Sense makes the list. Yikes!
04-30-13, 12:48 PM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
How does a movie go from being the 39th best of all time to out of the Top 100 in 10 years? Was there a Doctor Zhivago backlash that I missed?
04-30-13, 01:05 PM
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Since The Dark Knight is the supposed greatest thing ever created by mankind I am shocked it isn't number one or even on the list at all.
04-30-13, 01:16 PM
#20
RIP
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
*Yes, the misspellings are intentional.
04-30-13, 01:26 PM
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
HAHA! I just now actually really looked at the list and noticed how high The Sixth Sense is. I can't even think of a smart ass comment to post I am in such disbelief.
04-30-13, 01:29 PM
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04-30-13, 04:40 PM
#23
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
One thing I noticed in a quick skim of the list is that there are very few comedies/comedic films and almost no comedies that are "modern". Toy Story is the only one that jumps out at me.
I would truthfully add Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I think it truly is one of the great modern comedic films.
I would truthfully add Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I think it truly is one of the great modern comedic films.
04-30-13, 05:27 PM
#24
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Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Some films just didn't belong on there to begin with. Doctor Z is not a top 100 contender. Out of all of David Lean's late career epics (Bridge on the River Kwai and onward) it's easily the worst.
04-30-13, 07:16 PM
#25
Re: The AFI Top 100, what's missing?
Not only should this be on the list. It should be top 5.
oh well. who cares. I'm pretty tired of lists.
oh well. who cares. I'm pretty tired of lists.