I was channel surfing last night and came across The Great Escape which was filmed in 1963. As many of you probably know, the movie is based loosely on the true story of the mass escape of Allied airmen prisoners of war from Stalag Luft III on the night of March 24, 1944. Of the 76 prisoners who escaped, only 3 made it to freedom. 50 of the 73 who were recaptured were executed by the Gestapo in violation of the Geneva Convention. Here is the sobering scene when the news of the "50" is delivered to Allied Group Captain Ramsay (played by James Donald) by the clearly shaken Stalag Luft Kommandant (played by Hannes Messemer):

Interestingly, there is a watch connection here due to the Rolex worn by one of the Allied Airmen. More about that here: The timepiece that inspired The Great Escape | Christie's (christies.com) What are your favorite classic movies (with or without a watch connection)?

 

“Laura.” Doesn’t get any better for a film that deals with obsession.

 

“Vertigo” as well, Bob.

 

Alfred Hitchcock's films of the 1950's were some of the best Hollywood ever produced. "Strangers on a Train", "Rear Window", "Vertigo", "North by Northwest" and "Psycho" in 1960 were all landmark films, Hitchcock was the master in manipulating the audience.

For a war film "The Best Years of our Lives" from 1946 is my choice, significant then, still so today. Won seven Academy Awards.

For romantic film "Brief Encounter" from 1945 is hard to beat.

 

I saw Stephen Spielberg's 'Duel' in 1972. Originally released for television in '71, an extended version was released in theaters in '72.

 

That’s the one with Dennis Weaver and the crazy truck driver? Certainly got your adrenaline pumping …

 

So many great ones. These ones pop up

Stalag 17
M*A*S*H
Catch 22
The Party

 

That's the one. I've watched it a few times over the years.

 

There are so many that I'd like to list, but for now I'll just say pretty much anything directed by Akira Kurosawa. I do a lot of camera work in my job, and I just love how he and his team compose a shot for the purposes of story.

Some examples:

 

Gaslight was so well done.

 

wrist watch wise:
1956 " The Man Who Never Was "
1958 " The Silent Enemy "
1958 " I was Monty's Double "

 

The Bridge on the River Kwai is one of my favorites not mentioned yet.

A childhood favorite that has held up well ... Mary Poppins.

 

The original "Day the Earth Stood Still" and Kelly's Hero's" quite the ensemble cast.

have fun
kfw

 

Wakanda Forever

 

Completely and utterly inappropriate by today’s standards, yet some of the scenes are convulsingly hilarious.

 

"The Wild Bunch" and "Ride the High Country" from Sam Peckinpah are both awesome films.

 

Funny, I just watched The Great Escape last weekend!

As far as vintage: I like films that feature the gritty cities of the 70s and 80s, flicks like The Friends of Eddie Coyle and The Long Good Friday for example.

 

The Godfather, especially Part II

 

that’s the one where they make a vibranium-cased Patek Philippe Nautilus, right?

 

I would include No Country For Old Men as a modern day classic (2007). Javier Bardem’s portrayal of psychopathic hitman Anton Chigurh is bone chilling. In this scene, the store clerk never realizes that he is flipping a coin for his life for no reason other than that he noticed that Chigurh is from Dallas. This is also one of the very few films that has no musical score which makes it feel particularly edgy.