What do you consider the greatest film ever made, and why?

[Bofferbrauer2]

farlaff said:

I'm very proud of the selection many of you guys presented, mainly on the first page. I was expecting more recent and mainstream entries (I place movies such as LotR and Dark Knight in such a category), so it was lovely to see Kurosawa, Kubrick, Hitchcock and so many other fantastic moviemakers being cited.

Good movies should work as a mirror into the human core. Interesting films are supposed to capture a wide range of human emotions, such as love, hate, joy, sadness, fear, and hope, exploring the internal and external conflicts that characters face, allowing the audience to identify with their struggles and triumphs. Additionally, they would often address universal themes like the search for identity, the fight for justice, the importance of family, and the inevitability of death, resonating with viewers as these are common issues for everyone. Many films also serve as a critique of society, tackling inequality, prejudice, war, and morality, provoking reflections on social behaviors and values, which can inspire change and promote important discussions. Narratives of overcoming challenges and resilience showcase the human capacity to face adversity, offering hope and highlighting the strength of the human spirit in the pursuit of purpose. Finally, the diversity of stories and characters might allow for a rich representation of the human experience, demonstrating that despite our differences, there are shared emotions and experiences that connect us. Thus, as stated, films serve as a mirror of human nature, reflecting the complexity of life.

I can discuss countless movies and directors, but for a long time, Bergman was my favorite, closely followed by Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick. Nowadays, I find myself appreciating those who paved the way for cinema as a profound art form. In this regard, few have done it better than Fritz Lang, who showcased film as a reflection of human nature.

I will just mention 5 examples in chronological order:


Metropolis (1927 - ?!?) - Groundbreaking science fiction film set in a dystopian future, exploring themes of class struggle and industrialization. It is relevant almost a full century later, and was basis for so, so many other things that came later.
eit.

It was a long internal fight for me to go with All Quiet On The Western Front over Metropolis. I haven't seen the new, pretty much entirely restored version of Metropolis (I originally saw the Giorgio Moroder cut and the newer 2001 cut, but not any of the more recent versions), and due to this it lost. The newest version brings back almost all the scenes, so hopefully I can see it soon.