Best Films Per Decade (Part Three)
- Brandon Thompson
- Jul 28, 2016
- 3 min read
So I come to my final part of this series before I decide to revisit it in the not so near future so I hope you enjoy it and that you found some gems to watch.
Before I start you can find Part One here and Part Two here.
Let the games begin...

1950s
Rear Window
This is one of the most important Hitchcock movie as his ability to tell a story in interesting ways is on show here before it was before Psycho and Vertigo.
Seven Samurai
A 207 minute movie might seem like a chore in the end but not when it comes to Seven Samurai, the most famous samurai movie for a very good reason.
Ikiru
If you like your typical American which makes you cry, then you should like this Japanese classic from Akira Kurosawa.
The 400 Blows
Ever since it came out in 1959, The 400 Blows has continuously been one of the all-time greatest coming of age stories.
A Man Escaped
Forget Shawshank Redemption this is the ultimate prison film, complete with stellar direction, a nerve racking prison escape and a look into the human condition.
Umberto D
The lesser known, just as great film from the director of Bicycle Thieves is just as great as Bicycle Thieves and just as essential.
Some Like it Hot
Before comedies were turned out on a monthly basis for Hollywood (which are consistley bad), you had films like Some Like it Hot.
Strangers on a Train
Another essential Hitchcock film that will be sure to leave you sitting on the edge of your seat.
The Seventh Seal
There are movies that look into the human condition and there is The Seventh Seal, the quintessential Swedish film.
Pickpocket
Crime films are always presented in a way to concentrate on the crime but here Bresson concentrates on the person behind the crime.

1940s
Bicycle Thieves
Not just an essential film for film buffs and cinephiles but according to the BFI, every child before the age of 14 should watch this film
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
About 60 years before There Will Be Blood, this was the essential film about the 'American Dream' and greed.
Notorious
By far the best Hitchcock collaboration with both Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant come this personal spy adventure.
It's a Wonderful Life
If you aren't watching this every Christmas then you should start this year.
The Third Man
To Britian to what Citizen Kane is to USA, Film-Noir has never been better.
Shadow of a Doubt
I promise this is the last Hitchcock film but maybe you should watch this one (and the others too) as to why I have so many here.
Citizen Kane
Just watch it.
Double Indemnity
Billy Wilder's first great film manages to show us what a talent he was at the time but also what he will become.
The Great Dictator
It could almost be a sin if you haven't seen any of Charlie Chaplin's films.
The Lost Weekend
Billy Wilder has never had a movie with so much social commentary and it almost works as a horror movie.

Pre-1930s
City Lights
If you think silent movies are boring, think again!
M
If the Jazz Singer was the first film with sound, 'M' was the first film use it in ways we use it today.
Sunrise (A Song of Two Humans)
Not all romances have to have sound and Sunirse and the perfect example.
The General
If you think Chaplin was too goofy, then Keaton will show you the boldness of silent films.
The Kid
Just another great example of Chaplin'.s mixture of character and humour
Sherlock Jr
One of the best chase scenes in film history and it was in the silent film era.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
While this horror flick may be outdated, it's fun to watch.
The Gold Rush
There are two versions of this film (one with narration and no title cards and the other with it's title cards) means you should've already seen this film.
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Never has the close-up been used in cinema before or since here.
Modern Times
Just watch some Chaplin movies ok.
So what did you think of my choices? What films did I miss? Let me know.
That's all folks!
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