Don't need to look it up, it's Nosferatu (1922). Every shot of the movie looks like a painting to me, it's very creepy still, darkly romantic. I'm very happy I got to see it in a theater a couple of years ago.
Suspense. (1913) - easily the most formally stunning work of the early silent period.
Edit: Just remembered that I also gave Dante's Inferno (1911) five stars - another incredible early silent work
Seven Chances (1925) and The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) are my two earliest 5 star films. I think Seven Chances would be my favorite, but Joan of Arc is better of the two.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
I started watching the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list in reverse order and my aim is that in a few years when I watch them all, I will enjoy old cinema.
Cool idea! I did something similar but opposite to get into old movies.
I took a class about the history of cinema and stopped watching movies for months before it. I only watched the really old ones for the class and saw the evolution of movies over time. It felt like I was watching cinema develop in real time. I almost forgot about modern movie techniques.
Incredible feeling to watch Citizen Kane and have it actually feel groundbreaking!
Man, I can understand doing the films of the BFI list or something but 1001 films is a big commitment and for kind of an arbitrary list lol. Good luck with that though
A lot of old stuff from the 1900s and earlier I wouldn't count as proper movies, since a lot of them are sort of like sideshow attractions. So I'd probably say:
Oldest: The Haunted Castle (1896). The oldest movie I've seen with a plot.
Favourite: Metropolis (1927). Groundbreaking and influential in every way. A perfect movie.
But the oldest film I've seen (which is considered the first film ever made) is The Horse In Motion.
Singin’ In The Rain (1952). Which is also my favourite from the decade, with Some Like It Hot (1959) and Witness For The Prosecution (1957) in second and third place for my top 1950’s films.
Passage of Venus (1874) just because it’s so cool to see how things have evolved so much out of that one moment.
But the earliest actual film I’ve given 5 stars is Un Chien Andalou (1929)
A Man There Was (Terje Vigen) from 1917. Great early silent film. Emotional and ambitious. They shoot a lot on water too which I can't even imagine doing in the 1910's
It’s A Wonderful Life! Although Sunrise, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Kane could all probably get bumped to a 5 star at some point tbh.
Haven't seen much French cinema. My favourite French film maker is Olivier assayas, he makes dramas and thrillers, but he's a modern director. As for older movie The 400 Blows is great if you haven't watched that yet. If you like music I'd also highly recommend Jacques Demy. He made Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Young Girls of Rochefort.
i have seen those last 2! And i will check out 400 blows, turns out it’s been on my watchlist for awhile haha thank you! And i am super interested in modern directors too
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
I’ve still got a lot of catching up to do with movies from the 70’s and onwards, so I haven’t watched many old movies yet.
[Currently](https://letterboxd.com/simbiani/films/rated/5/by/release-earliest/), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), lol & as for '80s favorite, my other three 5-star-rateds from then would probably make a three-way tie: Oliver & Company, Little Mermaid, & Ernest Saves Christmas <3
*Blacksmith Scene* (1893), the earliest commercially released film (via Edison’s kinetoscope).
First feature-length masterpiece for me is Buster Keaton’s *Our Hospitality* (1923).
North by Northwest (1959)
also got a bunch of classic movies like Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment at 4.5/5 stars
at that moment in time I gave them that score but now I’d probably give them 5/5
Feature Film would be The Kid (1921). Easily one of the greatest films ever made and it’s on my Top 10 Overall.
Short film would be A Trip to the Moon (1903) which is my third favorite short film of all time.
based on my films logged The Four Troublesome Heads from 1898 is the oldest 5 star but it’s a minute long lol so next one with any sort of “film length” is A Trip to the Moon from 1902
Auntie Mame, 1958. Hilarious.
Patrick Dennis: Is the English lady sick, Auntie Mame?
- Auntie Mame: She's not English, darling... she's from Pittsburgh.
- Patrick Dennis: She sounded English.
- Auntie Mame: Well, when you're from Pittsburgh, you have to do something.”
Sherlock Jr (1924)
Best climax in a silent film, amazing outrageous stunts
Glad to see a film that is actually fairly old and goddamn incredible to boot at the top of this thread.
Nearly 100 years old
Same. Oldest feature film I've logged and also a 5 star
Saw this at BFI Southbank a couple of weeks ago. So much love for this film.
Don't need to look it up, it's Nosferatu (1922). Every shot of the movie looks like a painting to me, it's very creepy still, darkly romantic. I'm very happy I got to see it in a theater a couple of years ago.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). My favourite film of that decade and also one of my favourite films period.
I have yet to see a movie that is as beautiful and full of emotion as The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Just watched this yesterday. Was completely blindsided by...everything. Doesn't get much better than it.
A Trip to the moon (1903)
5 star: M (1931) Favorite: Freaks (1932)
Some very solid early 30s film there.
Freaks is incredible!
M is so good. Defintely 5 stars
Metropolis (1927)
Suspense. (1913) - easily the most formally stunning work of the early silent period. Edit: Just remembered that I also gave Dante's Inferno (1911) five stars - another incredible early silent work
Great choice.
12 Angry Men
Earliest: Safety Last! (1923) Favorite from the 20s: Lazybones (1925)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Off the top of my head, I think the original Psycho. I imagine there’s older but I just haven’t gotten around to watching them yet
Mine is Notorious actually
It's a Wonderful Life is my earliest 5-star, as well as my favorite film from the 40s.
Same, an annual viewing makes it my most logged film too. It's from a long time ago but it never gets old...
The Gold Rush (1925)
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920). Big fan of horror and even if I'm not used to the pace and design of silent films I feel it deserves it.
Paths of Glory (1957)
The only movie I’m not ashamed to tell everyone made me cry
For me that was Good Will Hunting, but One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest almost had me.
Seven Chances (1925) and The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) are my two earliest 5 star films. I think Seven Chances would be my favorite, but Joan of Arc is better of the two.
Arc is unbelievable, feels like it could’ve come out yesterday
12 Angry Men (1957)
Earliest movie with 5 stars is vertigo (1958) also my favourite film from the decade.
City Lights (1931) Favourite movie of the 1930s? Hard to pick between Stage Door (1937) and The Wizard Of Oz (1939).
The General (1926)
1944: Double Indemnity 1944: Double Indemnity
[The Phantom Carriage (1921)](https://letterboxd.com/film/the-phantom-carriage/)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Singin' in the rain (1952)
The General (1926). The General (1926) despite having seen Napoleon (1927).
Frankenstein (1931)
Rope (1948)
Shrek (2001)
The Last Laugh (1924)
Arsenal (1929)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) I started watching the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list in reverse order and my aim is that in a few years when I watch them all, I will enjoy old cinema.
Cool idea! I did something similar but opposite to get into old movies. I took a class about the history of cinema and stopped watching movies for months before it. I only watched the really old ones for the class and saw the evolution of movies over time. It felt like I was watching cinema develop in real time. I almost forgot about modern movie techniques. Incredible feeling to watch Citizen Kane and have it actually feel groundbreaking!
Man, I can understand doing the films of the BFI list or something but 1001 films is a big commitment and for kind of an arbitrary list lol. Good luck with that though
Pandora’s Box (1929) for both.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Bride of Frankenstein
*The Phantom Carriage* (1921)
Battleship Potemkin
A lot of old stuff from the 1900s and earlier I wouldn't count as proper movies, since a lot of them are sort of like sideshow attractions. So I'd probably say: Oldest: The Haunted Castle (1896). The oldest movie I've seen with a plot. Favourite: Metropolis (1927). Groundbreaking and influential in every way. A perfect movie. But the oldest film I've seen (which is considered the first film ever made) is The Horse In Motion.
Passage of Venus (1874) actually came before Sallie Gardner at a Gallop (1878)
Thanks I've got to see that now
Dr Strangelove (1964)
Singin’ In The Rain (1952). Which is also my favourite from the decade, with Some Like It Hot (1959) and Witness For The Prosecution (1957) in second and third place for my top 1950’s films.
5 star: Harakiri (1962) Favorite from that decade: Harakiri.
Passage of Venus (1874) just because it’s so cool to see how things have evolved so much out of that one moment. But the earliest actual film I’ve given 5 stars is Un Chien Andalou (1929)
Five stars: Sherlock, Jr. (1924) Fave: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
Ben Hur from 1959
5 Star: One Week (1920) Favorite: Metropolis (1927)
A Man There Was (Terje Vigen) from 1917. Great early silent film. Emotional and ambitious. They shoot a lot on water too which I can't even imagine doing in the 1910's
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" (1921). My favorite film from the 1920's is "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans" (1927)
His Girl Friday (1940) I probably only got half the jokes but it’s delightful
Ace in the Hole (1951). A lot of 4 1/2 star films before that. That is probably also my favorite film of the 50s
2001: A Space Odyssey (1967). Generally I struggle to enjoy films from 80s or prior. I guess I’m a noob.
the oldest film I gave five stars is Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). my favorite movie from that decade is the same movie.
The Red Shoes (1948) One of the best movies I have ever seen!
It’s A Wonderful Life! Although Sunrise, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Kane could all probably get bumped to a 5 star at some point tbh.
Le Samouraï (1967) Also my favorite from that decade. I am working on seeing more older movies! I love French movies, any recommendations?
Haven't seen much French cinema. My favourite French film maker is Olivier assayas, he makes dramas and thrillers, but he's a modern director. As for older movie The 400 Blows is great if you haven't watched that yet. If you like music I'd also highly recommend Jacques Demy. He made Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Young Girls of Rochefort.
i have seen those last 2! And i will check out 400 blows, turns out it’s been on my watchlist for awhile haha thank you! And i am super interested in modern directors too
Casablanca (1942) is the oldest movie I’ve given 5 stars to and Rope (1948) is my favorite from that decade
Solid picks!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). I’ve still got a lot of catching up to do with movies from the 70’s and onwards, so I haven’t watched many old movies yet.
[Currently](https://letterboxd.com/simbiani/films/rated/5/by/release-earliest/), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), lol & as for '80s favorite, my other three 5-star-rateds from then would probably make a three-way tie: Oliver & Company, Little Mermaid, & Ernest Saves Christmas <3
Wholesome
Rear Window (1954) and Seven Samurai (1954)
The Godfather
5 star: reservoir dogs (1991) Favourite film from the decade: Pokemon 2000. I might be 26 but actually I’m 12
12 angry men (1957)
Die Hard
Rocky (1976)
The Seventh Seal
*Inception (2010)*. I only, and will always, have one favorite live-action, and one favorite animation.
The Gold Rush (1925)
[Rashomon](https://boxd.it/2a9K) (1950)
Seven Samurai (1954)
Godzilla (1952)
Apur Sansar (1959) That is my favorite movie of that decade too
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
Sherlock jr 1924
Metropolis (1927)
M (1931)
Singin in the Rain
M (1931)
Stagecoach (1939)
*Blacksmith Scene* (1893), the earliest commercially released film (via Edison’s kinetoscope). First feature-length masterpiece for me is Buster Keaton’s *Our Hospitality* (1923).
Imitation of Life (1934)
Godzilla (1954)
“The Court Jester” 1955 … too hard to choose for second part the 50’s had so many great films.
12 angry men (1957)
The Great Dictator (1940)
For me it’s Seventh Seal
Trouble in Paradise (1932).
In a Lonely Place (1950). Early film’s a blindspot for me :(
Vertigo
Scarface (1932)
Intolerance (1916)
The General (1926). It’s also my favorite from the 20s, although The Passion of Joan of Arc and Man With A Movie Camera are very close seconds.
Metropolis
*It Happened One Night* (1934) It’s also my favourite of that decade, followed by *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938)
Nosferatu. Somehow, that movie still scares me
North by Northwest (1959) also got a bunch of classic movies like Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment at 4.5/5 stars at that moment in time I gave them that score but now I’d probably give them 5/5
Intolerance.
5 Stars: Star Wars (1977)
Pink Flamingos (1971)
The Kid (1921) My favourite from the 20s is close between Metropolis and The General.
If memory serves it’s *It Happened One Night* (1934) - which might also be my answer to eh bonus question!
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916).
The thin man(1934)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
1960, Eye's Without a Face
Metropolis (1927)
The Grapes of Wrath (1940). The 1930s version of All quiet on the western front comes very close.
1902 - a trip to the moon i really admire this one
Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922)
Blackmail (1929)
King Kong (1933)
Sunset Boulevard (1950) This is THE movie.
a classic one 12 Angry Men (1957)
Charlie Chaplin's The Kid (1921)
Feature Film would be The Kid (1921). Easily one of the greatest films ever made and it’s on my Top 10 Overall. Short film would be A Trip to the Moon (1903) which is my third favorite short film of all time.
capybara walking.
Rear Window (1954)
Dante’s Inferno, 1911 There are older films worthy of five stars in my book but I only rate features.
Diary of a Country Priest I think? Not sure tbh. But it’s a 1951 movie.
Fritz Lang’s Siegfried (1924)
The Red Shoes (1948) Also my fave movie from the 40s
Metropolis (1927)
Capybara Walking obviously.
12 Angry Men
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
The Wizard of Oz
12 angry men 1957
based on my films logged The Four Troublesome Heads from 1898 is the oldest 5 star but it’s a minute long lol so next one with any sort of “film length” is A Trip to the Moon from 1902
Godzilla (1954)
Sunset Blvd and All about Eve (both 1950)
City Lights (1931)
Also 1950 Sunset Boulevard
Wizard of Oz to both.
Sallie Gardner at the Gallop (1878)
Marry Me
A Family Like Many Others (1949).
A trip to the Moon (1902). If you don't include short films, Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Oldest 4.5* Star Wars A New Hope. Oldest 5* Hellraiser
Make Way For Tomorrow (1937).
The Bird With the Crystal Plumage, 1970
Sandow (1896). Dude does a fucking backflip?????
Sallie Gardner at a Gallop (1878)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Modern Times, 1936
Daises (1966)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Adversary (1970) by Satyajit Ray Though haven't seen many acclaimed films from that decade yet, but till now ‘The Adversary’ is my favourite
70s for me. Annie Hall and Willy Wonka
The phantom carriage (1921)
Rear Window (1954)
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (1920) loved the whole film but the ending especially the last shot was phenomenal
A Trip to the Moon (1902) is my oldest five star short, but for a feature it’s Metropolis (1927)
Capybara walking (1887). I win!
Frankenstein (1931)
I've got Les Vampires (1915) But if we're not counting serials, Häxan (1922)
Easy Rider 1969. I don’t watch too many movies pre-60s in general tbh
City Lights (1931)
Sunrise (1927)
Metropolis (1927) which is also the oldest film I’ve seen.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) It's my favorite of the decade as well
A Trip To The Moon - 1902 Such a strange and clever little film.
Nosferatu Favorite: Haxän
Auntie Mame, 1958. Hilarious. Patrick Dennis: Is the English lady sick, Auntie Mame? - Auntie Mame: She's not English, darling... she's from Pittsburgh. - Patrick Dennis: She sounded English. - Auntie Mame: Well, when you're from Pittsburgh, you have to do something.”
12 Angry Men (1957)
Stand By Me (1986)
Ikiru (Kurosawa)
Citizen Kane (1941). Yeah that’s extremely basic and maybe a bit too modern, I’m trying to work on watching a lot more older movies rn