Top 10 films of America by AFI

Written by - By Saswat Mishra AKA Raja

#1 

Citizen Kane

Director :- Orson Welles

Citizen Kane is consider as the greatest film by AFI twice. It was the directorial debut of Orson Welles. He also contributed in the production, screenplay and also starred in the film and was nominated in all the respective categories at the Oscars winning Best Screenplay. He became the first person to get nominated in four categories (Succeeded  by Warren Beatty  and Coen Brothers).

#2

The Godfather

Director :- Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather is considered as the greatest gangster film by many film institutes. The film stars Marlon Brando as Don Vito 'Godfather'  corleone, Al pacino as Michael corleone, James Caan as Sonny Corleone and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen (Vito's thee sons). Brando won Oscar for his performance while his all three son's (in the film) were nominated Best Supporting Actor. In addition the film won Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. Two Sequels were made later and they were also a hit alike The Godfather. The Godfather Trilogy is the only trilogy in which all three films were nominated for best picture at Oscars (other than Lord of The Rings ). 

#3

Casablanca

Director :- Michael Curtiz

Casablanca is a romantic film about a person who must choose between his love for a woman and helping her and her Czech Resistance leader husband escape from the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis. Starring Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund. The film won three Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay respectively.

#4

Raging Bull                                                                          

Director :- Martin Scorsese

Raging Bull is a biographical-Sport film about Boxer Jake LaMotta a middleweight boxer whose sadomasochistic rage, sexual jealousy, and animalistic appetite exceeded the boundaries of the prizefight ring, and destroyed his relationship with his wife and family. The film won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Editing to Robert DeNiro and Thelma Schoonmaker respectively.

#5

Singin' in the Rain

Director :- Gene Kelly

                 Stanley Donen

Singin' in the Rain is a comedy-musical film which is often considered as the greatest musical of all time. Although it was not a big hit when first released, it was accorded its legendary status by contemporary critics. It is now frequently described as one of the best musicals ever made. Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'connor, and others the film was nominated for two oscars : Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Score.

#6

Gone With The Wind

Director :- Victor Fleming

Gone With the Wind is a historical epic film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel of the same name.It tells a story of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era from a Southern point of view. the film stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel, among others. The film won ten Oscars, a record that stood for 20 years including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress. 

#7
Lawrence Of Arabia

Director:- David Lean

Lawrence Of Arabia is a biographical film about T.E.Lawrence. The film depicts Lawrence's experiences in Arabia during World War I, in particular his attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National Council. Its themes include Lawrence's emotional struggles with the personal violence inherent in war, his personal identity, and his divided allegiance between his native Britain and its army and his newfound comrades within the Arabian desert tribes. Starring Peter O'toole as T.E. Lawrence. The film was nominated for ten Oscars winning seven including Best Picture and Best Director.


#8
Schindler's List
Director:- Steven Spielberg
Schindler's List is a biographical film about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, Ralph Fiennse as Amon Göth and Ben kingsley as Itzhak Stern. The film gave spielberg his first oscar . On his acceptance speech he said "It could have never happened without a survivor named Poldek Pffefeberg " reffering to the man who gave his whole life to make Oskar Schindler famous. The film was nominated for twelve oscars winning seven including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.


#9Vertigo

Director:- Alfred Hitchcock
Vertigo is a  psychological thriller film about a retired police detective suffering from acrophobia who is hired as a private investigator to follow the wife of an acquaintance to uncover the mystery of her peculiar behavior. The film stars James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson and Kim Novak as Judy Barton/Madeleine Elster. The film received mixed reviews upon initial release, but has garnered much acclaim since then and was moved up to #9 from #61 in AFI list.


#10

Wizard Of Oz
Director:- Victor Fleming
Wizard Of Oz is a musical fantasy film. t features Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr and Frank Morgan, with Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charles Grapewin, Clara Blandick and the Singer Midgets as the Munchkins. It is based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Notable for its use of special effects,Technicolor, fantasy storytelling and unusual characters, The Wizard of Oz has become, over the years, one of the best-known of all films.






Writer's List

Saswat Mishra AKA Raja

#1 - Schindler's List
#2 - The Godfather II
#3 - The Godfather
#4 - Forrest Gump
#5 - Casablanca