How Do You Choose?

15/09/08 by gia

'What's your favourite film?'

How many times have you been asked that question and how many different answers have you given? With what criteria do you base your decision? That you never tire of it after repeated viewings? The thoughts and emotions it stirred in you the first time you watched it? The way it it shot, acted, directed? The topics it deal with have resonance with you? All of the above?

It's one of the most difficult questions to answer. Often the answer depends upon your mood or who you are talking to or what you are interested in on that particular day. Normally, when one is asked that, it's not going into print, it won't be there for all to see and read for ages afterwards. You can change your mind.

Answering the question 'What one film would you want to share with future generations?' is considerably more difficult. Whereas, down the pub, you might answer the question flippantly with 'Star Wars' in order to get your 'Star Trek' fan friend all worked up, when the answer really matters would you give such a flippant answer? What exactly do you base your decisions on?

Here is what a few people who have nominated their own films have said:

Withnail and I
Submitted by Craig
Hilarious, sad, uplifting and wonderfully British. Stands up to multiple viewings like no other film I have ever seen and appears timeless. It's as fresh now as it was 20 years ago. A fantastic and near Perfect film.

The Life Of Brian
Submitted by Tim
but, but, but where is The Life of Brian, it deserves to at least be on the list. It still makes me laugh out loud in places after 25 years. It is fun and will cheer anyone who watches it. It has its flaws, but at least they haven't release five different cuts of the film - in my mind it stand as the funniest film of all time.

High Noon
Submitted by Amanda
Where is High Noon on the list...Stunning cinematography, superb imagery, moral dilemmas, set virtually in realtime..and who can forget the soundtrack.... "Oh, to be torn twixt love and duty".

The Colour Purple
Submitted by J M
The Colour Purple should be at the top of the list. It is one of the greatest in my opinion. It teaches hope, pride, courage, strength and most of all love. Celie is one of the best characters to grace the screen in many years and hers is the star that shines the brightest. She overcomes every obstacle that comes her way, sometimes easy but most times hard, with growing determination to be better than the sum of her parts. She shows diginity and respect can win the day over violence and aggression. That isn't to say she is weak, she is the strongest woman because of her friends and because of her life's lessons and through her example her friends also grow personally and spiritually. Yes it is a long film but I dare anyone to watch it and not come away changed in some small way.

The Elephant Man
Submitted by Larelle
A beautiful piece of cinematography. Undoubtedly David Lynch's best film in my eyes, with absolutely outstanding performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins. It's a story I find both heartrending and uplifting. The final scene always leaves me in weeping sobs. The use of Barber's Adagio For Strings in the final scene makes it all the more poignant. It is a must-see film. Beautiful, stark and real.

Heat
Submitted by Simon
Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight and all directed by Michael Mann. Job Done. The best crime film every made with the best shootout ever.

Battle Royale
Submitted by James
A fantastic explotation film that as well as being highly entertaining gives one of the best and most balanced portrayals of the teenage mindset and its incompatability in an adult controlled environment.

Goodbye Lenin
Submitted by Jenny
A fabulous acount of life in the GDR- the film shows how events, often portrayed through misery and suffering were the norm for others. The cast are fantastic, the content and subtle humour in the script fantastic- this film should not only be shown to future generations but incorporated into schools history curriculum!

Gone With The Wind
Submitted by Michael
Produced by the great David O. Selznick, this is a film of epic proportions in every sense, be it cast, directing, lighting or sets.
Based upon a work in and around the Amercan civil war, a struggle of
both hearts and minds grasps the imagination as never before for
the film public of 1939. Add to this, ten Acadmy awards, leaves us in
no doubt, this great work should not be dismissed.

Trainspotting
Submitted by Robin
Can't believe it hasn't already got at least some recognition! Danny Boyle never made a finer film. Irvine Welsh's dystopia summed up in a wonderful swirl of celluloide with a soundtrack to (almost!) die for.

Du rififi chez les hommes
Submitted by john
Paris never looked more dangerously beautiful.
"Du Rififi Chez les Hommes" is a magnificent film-noir, certainly Dassin captures the milieu of seedy clubs and Parisian back streets like no-one else and the final drive through Paris by a dying man is one of the most iconic closing sequences of any movie.
The screenplay has credibility, supported by an awesome direction of Jules Dassin, stunning performances of the cast and great cinematography.

Casino Royale
Submitted by Richard
It's not your average James Bond film. This one has a much deeper message than Good vs Evil. This film focuses very much on morality and duty and whether it's right to kill for your country (Vesper - "Just because you've done something, doesn't mean you have to keep doing it.")
It also focuses on the power of love, as Bond's love for Vesper drives him to quit his job and forget his true calling. For me it's a masterpiece and it should definitely be considered for special commendation.

So what did you choose and why?