What are the most influential films ever made?
 

For the purposes of this thread I consider an influential film one that affected a lot of people outside of the film industry, and had a large impact (positive or negative) on life in one way or another. This doesn't include movies that influenced other movies.

The inspiration comes from Farenheit 9/11, but please let this be the last mention of this film in this thread. I really don't think the forum needs another thread on MM or his politics. But if Bush loses in November I think a lot of people will be pointing to this film as having an impact on the election.

With that said, Jaws would be my pick as having the biggest impact on society. Even to this day people won't step foot in the water for fear of sharks, whereas before the film I doubt anyone thought twice about getting attacked while swimming. I honestly can't think of another movie that had this kind of affect on people, but I'm sure someone here will prove me wrong. ;)

2001, star wars, jaws, citizen kane, just to name a few

I would consider Dead Man Walking an very influential film regarding the death penalty. More so than say..... The Life of David Gale.

Not saying you're right or wrong, but could you elaborate? What tangible affect did 2001 or Citizen Kane have on people after they walked out of the theater?

Star Wars I have to agree with, just because it was probably the first movie to form such a huge fanbase, basically creating a community of like-minded people that often meet at conventions, etc.

Another that just popped into my head- Top Gun. From what I've heard, Navy enlistments skyrocketed for quite a while after the movie was released.

as much as i hate to say it, Star Wars

Grease also deserved a mention as does a Clockwork Orange

If you mean society I would go with Psycho or Jaws.

How so? Fashion?

7 Samurai

Unfortunately, Triumph of the Will is probably the most influential movie of all time.

I'd also go with Passion of the Christ. If a movie can make a man turn himself in for murder I'd say its pretty powerful.

Star Wars, some people even consider Jedi as a religion.

I hate to say it b.c I LOATHE everything about the movie, but even I have to admit it's influence on society, film, the movies over the past few years that followed it, how often it's been mimicked but The Matrix .

Also Stray Dog, the first pure Japanese crime movie. Seven Samurai had an enormous influence on countless film makers & the industry as a whole.

Breathless marked the beginning of the French New Wave movement.

Kurosawa is probably the most influential director ever. Seven Samurai has been remade, lifted from, and copied since its release. Rashomon was one of the first (if not the first) film to use a skewed timeline, which has been utilized in countless films since. And you guys have mentioned Star Wars; Well, without The Hidden Fortress, there would be no Star Wars. Kurosawa had so much influence over modern film, especially westerns, it's almost unbelievable.

alright, citizen kane prob. influenced alot of movies in the way of storytelling and specific shots
2001, the first realisitc looking space movie

Some of you guys need to read the first post more carefully.

I'd like to nominate The Thin Blue Line to the list, a film that helped set a man free.

ditto.

:thumbsup: Thanks, I thought maybe I didn't explain myself properly in the first post (and still don't ;) ).

What I'm looking for are movies that had a direct, tangible affect on a large group of people after the movie came out. This does not include influencing future movies.

Some good examples so far:

Jaws- kept thousands of people out of the water for years to come
Star Wars- created it's own sub-culture, a society of like-minded people
Dead Man Walking- may have influenced people to be against the death penalty, but I'm not sure if there's any proof of that
Triumph of the Will- gained acceptance for the nazi party (I assume, never saw it myself)
Thin Blue Line- "a film that helped set a man free". Unfortunately I don't agree that the affect was on such a grand scale, since it only directly affected the people involved in the case.
Farenheit 9/11-To be determined, but may affect the outcome of the US Presidential election

I would like to think that it affected our justice system as a whole in some small way as well.

"it's a Wonderful Life"

has changed a lot of people's feelings about depression and suicide - I'd bet it has saved some lives.

JFK prompted the creation of a committee to review documents related to the President's assassination.

Also, it raised many questions regarding the "conspiracy" and made many people begin to question the government's findings.

Night of The Living Dead

rotfl People are gullible

Someone has to say it... Gigli

Which also changed a lot of people's feelings about depression and suicide, unfortunately in the other direction of "It's A Wonderful Life".