NationStates Jolt Archive

What do you believe has been the most influential movie of the 20th century? Culturually or otherwise.

What do you believe has been the most influential movie of the 20th century? Culturually or otherwise.

Probably Birth of a Nation, although there were other films that also had a significant impact on our culture at various times, like Rebel Without a Cause, Deep Throat, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

I dunno about most influental. But I'd say (I hate being so mainstream) Fight Club nicely captures the essence of the states right at the turn of the century. Still havnt gotten around to reading the book though....

Wait did they make films before 1900? You could have jsut asked; whats been the most influential flim ever.

Броненосец Потёмкин/Bronenosets Potyomkin. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/) (Battleship Potemkin.)

Wait did they make films before 1900? You could have jsut asked; whats been the most influential flim ever.Not if you count 21st century movies. :D [/tries to save himself]

What!? A thread that doesn't involve guns or sex? Mehercules! What is the world coming to?

I'd say Citizen Kane. Why? Because it invented techniques of "deep focus" as well as solving the problems of making things close to the mic sound far away.

star wars episode IV

Броненосец Потёмкин/Bronenosets Potyomkin. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/) (Battleship Potemkin.)

oh beaten me to it my pick now would be All Quiet on the Western Front the 1930's Version

for me forest gump

it was the only one that made me cry

probably the godfather.
or casablanca.

Броненосец Потёмкин/Bronenosets Potyomkin. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/) (Battleship Potemkin.)
Beat me to it.

EDIT: Citizen Kane then. Dammit, New Rafnaland beat me to that as well.

I though American History X was rather good. Also, I really liked Munich. But I guess Munich wasnt 20th century. But still, it happend during the 20th century.

oh beaten me to it my pick now would be All Quiet on the Western Front the 1930's Version

Please use punctuation marks and periods. Your posts are illegible and unintelligible without them.

The Arrival of a Train at the Ciotat Station, by the Lumiere Brothers.

Thats how Georges Méliès got the idea for Special Effects, well it at least got him interested in the power of films.

The Warriors.
original Star Wars trilogy.
Ferris Buehler's Day Off.
Breakfast Club.

I though American History X was rather good. Also, I really liked Munich. But I guess Munich wasnt 20th century. But still, it happend during the 20th century.
I agree. ( American History X) I've had countless people tell me I look just like Ed Norton in that movie. A bit disheartening, because I'm not a racist, but oh well. *shrugs*

Apocalypse Now is a contender, I believe.

I agree. ( American History X) I've had countless people tell me I look just like Ed Norton in that movie. A bit disheartening, because I'm not a racist, but oh well. *shrugs*

Well aside from the HUGE NAZI SWASTIKA on his pec, lol I suppose he didnt look like an ugly guy, so thats not too bad. lol.

But man was he amazing in that movie. To be able to play that part and actually PLAY the part. Theres no way you could confuse him with anything other than Neo-Nazi. And I like how that movie showed alot of angles to things. Like it showed how terrible Neo-Nazism is, but it also showed at how bad the blacks are in the cities of America (generalizing, of course, but as I lived in Southern California I can relate), where they beat up and prey on white kids and in this case kill him, because he was a "punk ass white boy".

ET
Star Wars
Ferris Buehler's Day Off.
One night in Tiffany.:p
All Quiet on the Western Front
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
The Lion King I
Toy Story I and II

I though American History X was rather good.

But "most influential movie of the 20th century?" It was very long century, you know.

I'm confident you can think of some film more important to the art form made during that whole century. Go ahead, I implore you to try, lest we think you actually find American History X the most seminal film of the entire 20th century.

But "most influential movie of the 20th century?" It was very long century, you know.

I'm confident you can think of some film more important to the art form made during that whole century. Go ahead, I implore you to try, lest we think you actually find American History X the most seminal film of the entire 20th century.

hmm. Team America: World Police?

But "most influential movie of the 20th century?" It was very long century, you know.

I'm confident you can think of some film more important to the art form made during that whole century. Go ahead, I implore you to try, lest we think you actually find American History X the most seminal film of the entire 20th century.
As opposed to your choice? I'm sure we could debate it all day long, but one man's artwork is another man's garbage. The only thing that helps us sort it out is the ability to respect individual opinion, which you apparently need to work on.

As opposed to your choice? I'm sure we could debate it all day long, but one man's artwork is another man's garbage. The only thing that helps us sort it out is the ability to respect individual opinion, which you apparently need to work on.

Oh! Fass, he torched yo' ass! He torched yo' ass!









If youv seen the Family guy episode where Peter did this, you know what I'm talking about.

As opposed to your choice? I'm sure we could debate it all day long, but one man's artwork is another man's garbage. The only thing that helps us sort it out is the ability to respect individual opinion, which you apparently need to work on.

A film made at the very end of the century, having basically no impact on the staggeringly overwhelming majority of films made during it, is proclaimed "most influential film of the 20th century." If you think I'm to respect such a ridiculously uninformed opinion, then you've got another thing coming.

It was very long century, you know.

I disagree. I dont think it was any longer than all the others.

hmm. Team America: World Police?

The was during the 21st centry. Yeah, I know it can be confusing to some how the 20 hundreds are still called the 21st one...

A film made at the very end of the century, having basically no impact on the staggeringly overwhelming majority of films made during it, is proclaimed "most influential film of the 20th century." If you think I'm to respect such a ridiculously uninformed opinion, then you've got another thing coming.


Wanting to go against thousands of years of tradition and marry a man? If you think I'm to respect such a ridiculous opinion, then you've got another thing coming.

Respecting peoples opinions is the same no matter the opinion.

The was during the 21st centry. Yeah, I know it can be confusing to some how the 20 hundreds are still called the 21st one...

It was a joke...Geez.

I disagree. I dont think it was any longer than all the others.


Idiom. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=idiom)

What do you believe has been the most influential movie of the 20th century? Culturually or otherwise.
The Day After Tomorrow
Urban Cowboy
Deep Throat
Taboo
West Side Story
1776
Jaws
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Steamboat Willy
(forgot the title of the first Talking Pictures as well as the first Moving Pictures.)

Wanting to go against thousands of years of tradition and marry a man? If you think I'm to respect such a ridiculous opinion, then you've got another thing coming.

Oh, there's that uninformed thing I was talking about again, not to mention the hugely flawed homophobic analogy, which I must say I have come to expect from this poster.

Respecting peoples opinions is the same no matter the opinion.

Your opinion is here risible. Really, a film made at the end of the 90s is to be the most influential films of the entire century? Really? Did it somehow get sent back through time so that it could influence all the films made before it, or what?

Steamboat Willy

Ooh, excellent choice for animation.

A film made at the very end of the century, having basically no impact on the staggeringly overwhelming majority of films made during it, is proclaimed "most influential film of the 20th century." If you think I'm to respect such a ridiculously uninformed opinion, then you've got another thing coming.Everyone's opinion is to be respected and not tossed aside.

Influential is releative Fass... When the film was made doesn't determine it's impact on culture or on society.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe:p

Ooh, excellent choice for animation.
First talking cartoon...

also wanna add
Metropolis (the original)
Grease
Crying Game
and the list will continue.

Everyone's opinion is to be respected and not tossed aside.

Yeah, I know that's what they say in kindergarten and school when they try convincing everyone that they're "special and precious little people loved by the world," but I don't buy it.

Influential is releative Fass... When the film was made doesn't determine it's impact on culture or on society.

And even by that measure, American History X? More so than any other film of that entire century is to have affected society or the art of film making? Oh, please. :rolleyes:

The Day After Tomorrow
Urban Cowboy
Deep Throat
Taboo
West Side Story
1776
Jaws
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Steamboat Willy
(forgot the title of the first Talking Pictures as well as the first Moving Pictures.)

Arrgh... wrong movie, Not The Day After Tomorrow, but


THE DAY AFTER.
Longest Day
Big Red One

Yeah, I know that's what they say in kindergarten and school when they try convincing everyone is "special," but I don't buy it.



And even by that measure, American History X? More so than any other film of that entire century is to have affected society or the art of film making? Oh, please. :rolleyes:Unfortunatly Fass, you are not the authority on influential films. So your views are just as valid as anyone elses.

First talking cartoon...

also wanna add
Metropolis (the original)
Grease
Crying Game
and the list will continue.

Metropolis, I can't grant. Even perhaps stretch to pop-cul influence of Grease. The Crying Game, I must disagree. Sure, it had a big surprise, but that's basically it.

Metropolis, I can't grant. Even perhaps stretch to pop-cul influence of Grease. The Crying Game, I must disagree. Sure, it had a big surprise, but that's basically it.Metropolis, I believe, was the first Big budget Sci-fi movie produced... or was that Trip to the moon... :shrugs:
Never saw the Crying Game, but isn't it the first movie to actually touch upon Homosexual feelings in a Heterosexual as it focal point?

Could be wrong on that one tho.

maybe tron or toy story deserves a mention, as they were the first glimpse on the future of computers and computeranimation, but star wars reached many more people, the terms "jedi", "death star" and the characters of luke and vader have made their way into general knowledge plus imo it had revolutionary special effects for its time.

Unfortunatly Fass, you are not the authority on influential films. So your views are just as valid as anyone elses.

Except that what was chosen was not something debatable like "Shichinin no samurai" or "Casa Blanca," but American History X.

Oh, there's that uninformed thing I was talking about again, not to mention the hugely flawed homophobic analogy, which I must say I have come to expect from this poster.



Your opinion is here risible. Really, a film made at the end of the 90s is to be the most influential films of the entire century? Really? Did it somehow get sent back through time so that it could influence all the films made before it, or what?

No, all it is, is you expect us to respect your opinions about homosexuality or whatever yet you dont respect ours about a freaking movie. Your such a hypocrite. Respect is respect regardless of what the topic or position is. If you dont understand that, then your just an ass and there is no hope for you.

Star Wars comes to mind.

Of course, various political movies (like by Eisenstein, or Riefenstahl), and the first few movies (like the Jules Verne one, where they hit the moon in the face :D ).

Metropolis, I believe, was the first Big budget Sci-fi movie produced... or was that Trip to the moon... :shrugs:

That was supposed to say "can." I grant Metropolis. It's 3 am here. My typo ratio is getting absurd.

Never saw the Crying Game, but isn't it the first movie to actually touch upon Homosexual feelings in a Heterosexual as it focal point?.

I don't know about the US (it would still surprise me greatly if it was), but not globally. Fassbinder touched on homosexual themes underneath a heterosexual veil ("Querelle," most obviously) a long time before "The Crying Game," just to name one.

No, all it is, is you expect us to respect your opinions about homosexuality or whatever yet you dont respect ours about a freaking movie. Your such a hypocrite. Respect is respect regardless of what the topic or position is. If you dont understand that, then your just an ass and there is no hope for you.

Oh, dear, you actually seem to think that I care what people here think of my opinions, or that their respect means anything to me? I may be an ass, I probably am, but really, you need to snap out of it.

Oh, dear, you actually seem to think that I care what people here think of my opinions, or that their respect means anything to me? I may be an ass, I probably am, but really, you need to snap out of it.

Theres nothing to snap out of, I'm just stating your being a hypocritic asshole, thats all.

Theres nothing to snap out of, I'm just stating your being a hypocritic asshole, thats all.

And still, you think I care. That's the thing you need to snap out of.

Oh, dear, you actually seem to think that I care what people here think of my opinions, or that their respect means anything to me? I may be an ass, I probably am, but really, you need to snap out of it.

And, also, you were trying to back up your not respecting other peoples opinions with your excuses about it doesnt reflect 20th century...etc. Thats all JUST YOUR OPINION. I could say Jungle Book was the most influential movie, and you know what, that would be MY opinion, not yours.

"The Opening of Misty Beethoven"

Seymour Love: What's your name?
Misty Beethoven: Misty Beethoven.
Seymour Love: Is that your real name?
Misty Beethoven: No, it's not. I took it to sound more important.
Seymour Love: What was it before?
Misty Beethoven: Dolores Beethoven.
Seymour Love: I should have guessed.

Awesomest porn ever.

And still, you think I care. That's the thing you need to snap out of.

Whats wrong with you? Do you honestly have problems? Like, are you depressed, lonely, bipolar...etc?

And, also, you were trying to back up your not respecting other peoples opinions with your excuses about it doesnt reflect 20th century...etc. Thats all JUST YOUR OPINION. I could say Jungle Book was the most influential movie, and you know what, that would be MY opinion, not yours.

And again: Just because it's your opinion, it is neither valid, nor informed, nor even worthy of being taken seriously. No matter what Mrs. Crabapple in third grade may have said. Your inability to defend your choice of film, and instead trying to call me names, makes that abundantly clear: You cannot defend the choice, because it is an indefensible choice - not even if the sphere of films is limited to those about gang violence, or Nazism.

Whats wrong with you? Do you honestly have problems? Like, are you depressed, lonely, bipolar...etc?

See how Junii talked about the crying game and how he defended his pick, by mentioning arguments for his choice and trying to persuade me to see why he thinks the film is important? See how you're failing at that by not even having tried? Ask yourself why.

A Clockwork Orange :D

Now, I am no movie buff, I don't even care that much about the art form.

I do know a good movie when I see one, and American History X is a good movie. It ranks somewhere inbetween Shawshank Redemption and Schindler's List.

I also know that the Cinema 101 class that I took in college did not reference the movie even once. So to call it the most influential movie ever is a ridiculous overstatement.

Everyone can have their own opinions, but some are blatantly wrong.

As for the question, I would like it to be North by Northwest, Once Upon a Time in the West, or Paths of Glory. It is more likely a movie like Birth of a Nation, Bicycle Thief, or Citizen Kane, none of which I particularly like.

A Clockwork Orange :D

Quirky choice, but is one of Kubrick's good ones.

2001: A Space Oddessy. Easy.

A Clockwork Orange :D

I have never liked Kubrick. Dr Strangelove is the only one I will watch.

Quirky choice, but is one of Kubrick's good ones.
One of the first movies where you feel bad for the bad guy. Also a good shot on the ends vs. means type plots. Is it right to take a person right to choose away if its for the betterment of socity? You can ask that now with how people treat sex offenders when they get out of prison.

One of the first movies where you feel bad for the bad guy. Also a good shot on the ends vs. means type plots. Is it right to take a person right to choose away if its for the betterment of socity? You can ask that now with how people treat sex offenders when they get out of prison.

It's also one of the few filmatisations I like more than its literary counterpart.

I do know a good movie when I see one, and American History X is a good movie. It ranks somewhere inbetween Shawshank Redemption and Schindler's List.

I also know that the Cinema 101 class that I took in college did not reference the movie even once. So to call it the most influential movie ever is a ridiculous overstatement.

Everyone can have their own opinions, but some are blatantly wrong.

Oooh, quick jack: Why the new nation? Not a DEAT, surely?

Oooh, quick jack: Why the new nation? Not a DEAT, surely?

I'm not really sure, I think I let the old nation go inactive, it has happened before. I didn't want to trouble the mods so I created a new one that I will never touch other than to post with. Vittos Ordination3 is due in about 28 days I think.

I'm not really sure, I think I let the old nation go inactive, it has happened before. I didn't want to trouble the mods so I created a new one that I will never touch other than to post with. Vittos Ordination3 is due in about 28 days I think.

Glad to hear it.

Jack over.

The Arrival of a Train at the Ciotat Station, by the Lumiere Brothers.

Thats how Georges Méliès got the idea for Special Effects, well it at least got him interested in the power of films.

What weird counting scheme are we using that puts 1895 in the twentieth century?

Damn there's a lot of ground to cover.

Trip to the Moon is regarded as the first sci-fi.

Special effects, so to speak, was largely a universal discovery. The Lumiere brothers where filming a street when the crank stuck. When they looked at the film it looked like a street car disappeared. Melies did all of his films with effects like models and forced perspective. So it can't really be pointed to one moment or artist.

The Girl and the Outlaw (http://imdb.com/title/tt0000694/) by DW Griffith introduces rapid continuity editing, which doesn't seem like much but pretty much defines the language of film we understand today. Of course the large narrative film is also curtisy of Griffith, if the subject matter is a little embarrassing. Birth of a Nation. No link because you should know by now.

It's hard to peg down one Eisenstien movie as 'most influential,' especially since so much of his influence came from his writtings insisting film not be a novelty but an art form. And of course 'inventing' montage. To that end there is aslo Digta Vertov's Man With the Movie Camera (http://imdb.com/title/tt0019760/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9bWFuIHdpdGggdGhlIG1vdGlvbiBjYW1lcmF8ZnQ9MXxteD0yMHxsbT01 MDB8Y289MXxodG1sPTF8bm09MQ__;fc=1;ft=21;fm=1) as well.

It would be too hard to pick which German expressionist film made the mark, be it the already mentioned Metropolis (a personal favorite) or Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Where that influence was focused was Citizen Kane, which is the most immitated movie, really. Techniques that where invented in that film are still being done today. But that's true of all of the films I've mentioned so far. I would think of it as a funnel that pours through Kane, at which point each films influence is more diluted by volume or refinement of technique.

It would be difficult to rate a movie in the last half of the twentieth century as most influential, much less in the last quarter. It would have to single handedly change the very way that every film since then is made and recieved, universally, to match the influence of the earlier films that defined the forms.

Finally, yes, there where films before the 20th century.

Everyone can have an opinion, that is true. But you have to be able to back it up, give it a reason. Having an opinion doesn't make it right. If this was "Film that affected you the most" then it would be impossible to argue against anyones choice, but we are talking about the influence of film, something that has to be justified with something other than "I like it."