What are the most powerful films you have seen? [View all]

[Stuart G]

Last edited Wed Jun 21, 2017, 07:32 PM - Edit history (7)

By powerful, I mean unforgettable, affecting you greatly, sad, happy, fear, joy, love, inquisitive, wonder, or .. whatever. ..Those that you will never forget and always remember. A film of that is in your soul and mind forever.. So strong, that for whatever reason, (and that is up to you) that this film or films are often thought about. Any films like that for you?...Describe them if you desire,..not a requirement..

1. Star Wars (1977)
2. Romeo and Juliet. (1968)
3. Night and Fog
4. Some Like it Hot
5. Its a Wonderful Life.

I saw "Some Like it Hot" in the theater in the 50s. I saw it with a group of friends and just loved the experience, the story, the acting, sitting laughing myself silly, and the way the movie was made. Yes, there was something about Marilyn Monroe, but the film was just plain fun. So much fun, that it helped to define humor at the movies for me...or just plain fun in general. I won't describe this scene completely, but there is one short scene near the end, with Joe E. Brown,,that is truly terrific and to recall, even though it was made almost 60 years ago.

I remember hearing about "It's a Wonderful Life" as I was growing up, and in my 20s when I became fascinated with going to the movies. Our library had copies of 16 mm movies, and I had access to a 16mm projector. Sometime in the early 80s, I picked up a copy of Its a Wonderful Life and showed to myself. The film was in 3 big reels and weighed a lot... I remember at the end, I was so happy, that I cried for happiness. That had never happened before, and almost never happens since.

"Night and Fog" is a documentary. 32 minutes of horror and evil beyond description. A fellow teacher was showing it in a class a few rooms down from where I taught. He invited me in to see it. No warning other than it was very powerful. French with subtitles, made in 1955 by Alain Resnais, it is about the concentration camps that killed millions during WWII. Some of the film is at the time of the events , some are the abandoned camps in the 50s when it was made. You are warned, whenever I think of extreme hate and man's inhumanity to man, I think of this. Every time I imagine evil and vicious hate inspired death, I think of this.
How and Why something like this could happen is incredible. The thought that this has happened since WWII, over again, is stupefying and undefinable..(at least to me) That people could treat each other like that, and still do...in large examples like the film shows, and in small examples that often happen , you define those.... goes beyond reason. Humans have a capacity for evil that this film defines.. Again, you are warned. You will not forget parts of this film. Even the music is sad and forewarning...

I watched "Star Wars" in 1977 with a girlfriend of mine, and her 2 kids. I was so happy and full of joy that it felt great. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd week that the movie was out... What a wonderful experience watching a film that lifted me up. It was good vs bad..and the good guys win, and win in a big way. A wonderful crew of warriors on the "good side" evil, personified by Darth Vader, who I found out later, was to show up again, and again. But just experiencing that film was a powerful and wonderful experience. First time I had ever heard sound like that, but I loved the story, the acting and movie as much as any I have ever seen.