The Top 100 Movies of All Time
Last updated: March 22, 2001
In 1998, the American Film Institute announced its picks for the best movies of the past 100 years. Since Oct. 4, 1998, I have been on a quest to see all of these movies by the year 2000. On Dec. 19, 1999, I completed my mission. With the viewing of "Schindler's List," I have seen all 100 of the best movies of the last century. The last in my quest are listed here. See the whole list of America's Greatest Movies. I hope you too will have a chance to enjoy these great works. Check out all the other great offerings at the American Film Institute.
Movies seen to date: 100!!!!!!
MY PERSONAL LISTS
"Schindler's List." There are a few truly moving movies among the greatest and this is one of them. Oskar Schindler, under the guise of wanting to be rich, of making money, hired Jews to work in his factories to save them from the horrors of the Holocaust. And in the spirit of true Christianity, he lamented because he had not done more. He saved thousands from the madness of Nazi Germany. No, he was not a saint. He cheated on his wife and literally bargained with the devil. His heart and his spirit, however, prevailed and his deeds will never be forgotten. The worst part of this is that it is based on reality. The most horrific crimes of humanity did take place in our world. But the milk of human kindness, although sometimes in short supply, managed to flow from this one man and spare the lives of many. Accolades Oskar Schindler.
"Modern Times" finds our favorite little tramp back in the midst of mischief. It seems Charlie Chaplin has a gift for spending time in the pokey. He is, however, the most appealing delinquent I've ever seen. Once again he rescues the damsel and does time for his good intentions. Chaplin fans can find his greatest works in a new commemorative collection marking his 100th birthday.
Well, I have just finished suffering the pains of "The Birth of a Nation." Being the open-minded person that I try to be, I will be just as fair as with "The Jazz Singer." This one had more than undertones of racism, something that, unfortunate for our world, has not disappeared despite the hopes of the approaching new millennium. We want to believe that when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 1999, all things will be new, better and special in some way. I wish that would be the case. "Birth of Nation," I believe, showed one version of the story of the Civil War and strife in the South as Southerners sought to reclaim a way of life that they cherished. I told you that I would be open-minded. I am not a history buff by any means. Yes, the movie is racist. And yes, there is and probably always will be racism in America. The part of the movie that offended me most though was near the end when an image of Jesus was superimposed as a rationalization for the Klan's actions. That was an offense to God that I hope He will not take lightly. I am also not hyper-religious, but there are just certain things you just do not do. I truly believe that God knows all and when you do these things, although it may appear that you get away with them, God knows what you did and you will have to answer to Him one day. "Birth" was a silent movie, perhaps a blessing in itself. I can't imagined suffering the pain of watching it and having to hear it too. I do understand the controversy behind the movie and I leave it all in the hands of a greater power.
"Double Indemnity" was a twisted tale, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. And, yes, it actually had a lot to do with insurance (fraud) as the title would imply. It's another case of a man not thinking with his brain and ruining his life for the prospects of getting laid. That's such the short version of this though. Funny thing is that I have seen this same story in several of the movies on this list. The story is age-old and continual. You can see it any day and almost anywhere. Quite sad really. She wants to off her husband for insurance money. At first, he acts like he does have a functioning brain cell or two and wants nothing to do with it. Afterall, he is an insurance salesman who is just trying to get the doomed husband to renew his auto insurance. Why do people marry people they don't want? I've never understood that one either. Well, he comes around to her way of thinking after a few smooches. Both get their due in the end. The movie wasn't all I thought it would be, but it was good for its time.
"M*A*S*H" was so very much like the TV series. There also is a character in the movie who
maintained his role in the series? Do you know who it was? That will be one of the questions on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" next year. It was a fun movie. Not much war, but plenty of gore in the OR. The casting for the series turns out to be incredibly similar to the characters originated in the film. I am ripe for some "M*A*S*H" trivia play now. I waited quite a while to see Fred Williamson come into the picture. I remember making a jigsaw puzzle of his movies as a teen and knew he was supposed to be in this one. He had about 10-15 minutes near the end as a former football star turned Army surgeon who comes to the 4077 to help them win a football game and pot of money. It was a very well done movie. The reasons it made this list I'm not sure of, but it is a decent movie.
Another movie that sparked a very successful TV series is "American Graffati." Although "Happy Days" was not a direct connection to "Graffati," both starred Ron Howard and it is my understanding that "Happy Days" came first by another name, but was shelved. It was revived after Ron Howard's performance in "Graffati" lead the studio to believe that a TV show about life in the '50s would not be a bad idea afterall. Another actor in this movie that was revived and went on to a direct spinoff from "Happy Days" is Cindy Williams i.e. Shirley of "Laverne and Shirley." "Graffati" also had a young Richard Dreyfuss with the very same laugh he used later in another movie from this list ... "Jaws." Trivia question: How many movies on this list was Richard Dreyfuss in? Also, what movie star has been in the most movies on this list?
Another epic that I have had the pleasure to see ... "Ben-Hur." I won't kid you, I truly thought it was going to be one big chariot race. This movie moved me more than any I have seen. It was about the story of Christ, but did not delve into the life of Christ. It depicts His birth and death and very little in between. But that very little was so much. "Ben-Hur" was a story of friendship and forgiveness, of unconditional love and caring. And to my wonderment, it may actually foster a difference in my life. This may be my new favorite movie of all time.
The epic movie that I failed to get through the first time around has been conquered. "Lawrence of Arabia" 
>was not just three hours of sand. I really enjoyed it. It was the story of a man who was indeed master of his own domain. He always said that nothing was written, as in you can do whatever you set your mind to do. He was right. He became a hero to the Arabs and his fellow British officers. He was a legend in his own mind and in his own time. He drove himself mad in the process, but who among us hasn't. Lawrence had a passion for the desert and lost his mind in that passion. He was a very likable character and had a will of his own. His individuality and determination was a source of inspiration. There will always be someone who will try to break your spirit in this life it seems. How you handle it and whether you rise above the assault will make all the difference.
Well, I have finally crossed "The Bridge on the River Kwai." It's an excellent movie that won the Best Picture Oscar in 1957. As you know, I'm not much for war movies and particularly am not fond of horrendously long ones. But this movie kept my interest enough to make me rent/borrow it twice to finish and not wait months to get back to it. British soldiers were tasked to build the bridge and British soldiers were tasked to destroy it. The officer in charge of the building effort was another one of those hard-nosed soldier types, kind of like Patton. He took pride in building the bridge and caused the death of his own men because of the vanity. He did come out of "madness" at the end. This is another movie I recommend even if you don't like war movies
Stanley Kubrick was touched. And I don't mean by an angel. I have now seen all of his movies on this list; the latest being "A Clockwork Orange." Kubrick had some deep issues. Some think he was brilliant. When he died earlier this year I was moved to give a salute and will not rescind it. But "Clockwork," while no doubt innovative for its time, was disturbing. Yet I am compelled to urge you to see it for yourself. It was a story of senseless "gang" violence (as if there is sensible gang violence) and a rehabilitation effort gone awry. This is another one of the movies about which I knew nothing. It is one you need to judge for yourself.
"The Gold Rush" featured Charlie Chaplin once again as the little tramp, showcasing his "dance of the dinner rolls" and the "house tettering on the edge of a cliff." His character is so admirable for his humbleness and sincerity. It's a rarity not many people are used to anymore. "City Lights" is a Charlie Chaplin musical/romance done in pantomime. It was the story of his famous character the little tramp who falls in love with a blind girl who sells flowers on the street. 
>The little tramp becomes "friends" with a millionaire who only seems to recognize him while the millionaire is drunk. The tramp saves the man's life and they start paling around. Meanwhile, The tramp had met this girl who is going to lose her home if she doesn't pay her $22 in rent. After I got past the amazement of $22 for rent, I could go on. Well, The tramp tries all kinds of antics to get the money for the girl, including prize-fighting and street cleaning. He's eventually put in jail because his lush of a friend believes him to be a thief when he sobers. When he returns, the girl has gotten her vision and a flower shop, thanks to the money he gave her. It's a very touching ending when she finds that the man who saved her was not a rich man afterall, just a humble tramp. It's amazing how the blind can see so much more than people with sight. I could lecture on not judging a book by its cover and on pure friendship. And what a better world it would be if all people could look past the outside of a person long enough to discover the beauty within. But I won't.
"Patton" was the best war movie among the war movies included in the AFI list. 
>The recently deceased George C. Scott played a flamboyant, self-centered General George Patton in a story of World War II. He was an officer who loved war. He lived to fight. His sharp-tongue got him in much trouble with the powers that be and he nearly missed out on the very battle he had trained all of his life for. General Patton was a harsh man, yet you could see his kindness toward soldiers who fought proud and strong. He was full of himself though. There is no shame in being afraid during battle, if you ask me. But I'm just a yellow-bellied specimen of the womenkind who should be home baking bread afterall. I did enjoy the movie though. And have a newfound respect for some things I'd never given a second thought.
Some movies come with messages; some are just pure entertainment. Movies have been a great source of entertainment throughout my life. I am very happy to have actually managed to see all of these wonderful movies, some more than once. I have decided to do the 50 Greatest Screen Legends this year. Most of them were in movies on this list. Perhaps I can view movies they were in that are not part of the AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies. We'll see ...