25 Greatest Films Of All Time

There are many things that make a film great: critical acclaim; audience delight; box office records; stunning performances; and just plain entertainment just to mention a few. The films below are those that meet these criteria and more. They are films that go beyond the ordinary and create a special environment that transcends the silver screen. Some are personal favorites of mine, some are not, but all of the movies here listed have affected countless lives and generated many imitators.

25. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Far be it from me to not include Peter O’Toole’s greatest film. Unfortunately, a little low on the radar to modern audiences, Lawrence of Arabia is one of the great films. In scope and style, the film is gigantic. It is the consummate one man film with O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence a man far bigger than his time and oft considered great, but oft considered crazy. With sweeping vistas, great battle scenes and superb acting, the film certainly belongs with any list of superior movies.

24. Slum Dog Millionaire (2008)

From concept to implementation Slum Dog Millionaire is a brilliant film. Oddly enough, the combination of grinding poverty, a Charles Dicken’s like story and the pop culture addition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire (India) makes for an amazing tale, but not a gentle one. There is no Fagin, the somewhat fatherly scoundrel from Oliver, but instead a vicious bastard willing to blind a child just to up his beggar’s take. Grim, brutal and more realistic than anything Hollywood has put out since I can remember this is a must see for all but the most squeamish.

23. Patton (1970)

War movies are a personal favorite of mine and Patton is the best. General George S. Patton is now and forever will be George C. Scott for me and no man in history could have played him better. Scott’s gruff voice, command of the English language and just balls out attitude make the words, "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country,” come alive. In common with most great films Patton can be started at any point not lose its incredible impact. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

22. Ben Hur (1959)

Charlton Heston stars in this best of all religious films and one of the great action films of all time. Epic in every sense, Ben Hur touches on the best in all of us (and the worst). Packed with some of the finest action sequences (including the single most glorious chariot race ever), excellent acting and linked to the greatest story ever told, the film is one of the easiest epics ever to simply sit back and enjoy. I suggest lots of buttered popcorn, Jujubes and Junior Mints. Oh, and a two liter bottle of Pepsi.