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Topic:
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 36. Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
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The_Face
Title: Fan Fic Manager, now with more real butter flavor
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 5:22am
Subject:
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 36. Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- Date Edited:
11/30 6:44pm (67 edits total)
Edited By:
The_Face
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In 1998, the American Film Institute released a list of the 100 greatest American movies. Now, they have created a new, updated list, with new eligible films released from 1996 to 2006, and reordering of those that have stayed.
Rogue hosted a discussion of the original list, and now we'll be doing the same to this one. Going through film by film, dissecting why they should or shouldn't be there, scratching our heads at what AFI was thinking, and getting reacquainted with some classics in American movie-making.
These are the criteria by which the AFI has judged these movies:
Feature-length: Narrative format typically over 60 minutes in length.
American film: English language, with significant creative and/or financial production elements from the United States
Critical recognition: Formal commendation in print, television, and digital media
Major award winner: Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups, critics, guilds, and major film festivals
Popularity over time: This includes success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals
Historical significance: A film's mark on the history of the moving image through visionary narrative devices, technical innovation or other groundbreaking achievements
Cultural impact: A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance
100. Ben-Hur (1959)
Principal Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins
Director: William Wyler
Position 10 years ago: 72 (-28)
Plot Synopsis: Judah Ben-Hur lives as a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the 1st century. Together with the new governor his old friend Messala arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions. At first they are happy to meet after a long time but their different politic views separate them. During the welcome parade a brick falls down from Judah's house and barely misses the governor. Although Messala knows that they are not guilty he sends Judah to the galleys and throws his mother and sister into prison. But Judah swears to come back and take revenge. (imdb)
My Take: I haven't seen this all the way through, but it is certainly an enduring film. A benchmark epic, and a very impressive feat for its time (check out that chariot race!).
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Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 6:59am
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)
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I can't remember whether this was on the first list, but it's one of those films that gets shown regularly on television (generally at Easter). The chariot race and the sea battle are great sequences (but see in letterbox).
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The_Face
Title: Fan Fic Manager, now with more real butter flavor
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 7:02am
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)
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*points to first post*
It was Number 72 last time around; it dropped 28 places. 
Absolutely a letterbox movie. It was filmed in a crazy-wide aspect ratio.
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Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 7:07am
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)
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*smacks self in head* I'll will read carefully next time. That's quite a drop.
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Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
Registered:
Oct '98
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 4:45pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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It looks like this list will be quite different.
There were several films on the first that I thought shouldn't have made it, so that's not bad.
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Gobi-1
Title: Manager: LFL Projects / Indiana Jones 4
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 5:15pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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On my list of classic films I have never seen.
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Moleman1138
Title: Manager Emeritus
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Aug '04
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 6:00pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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deserves a higher spot. It's a classic
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GrandAdmiralJello
Title:
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 6:53pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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IIRC, the movie was filmed in 70mm 2.76:1 aspect ratio--most theaters couldn't display it higher than 2.5:1. If you have the DVD, though, you can see the original amazing aspect ratio.
The film is epic in almost every single way. The actual events in the film are very stereotypically presented, but that's easily made up for by the artistry in the film's execution. The religious theme carries through the entire film, but isn't terrible overt until the very end. The audience knows it's a religious film from the beginning, but it's done in a way that it seems entirely natural and unforced--it's just a theme like any other.
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Roma Æterna|SPQR  Imperium Sine Fine "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque" -Ennius, Annales "Tu regere imperio populos, Romanæ, memento;hæ tibi erunt artes; pascisque imponere morem, parcere subjectis et debellare superbos" -Virgil, Aeneid
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JadeSolo
Title: NSF managing NSWFF
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Sep '02
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 7:03pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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Chariot race was definitely the best part - all the fast-paced violence and cheating, and without relying on so many techno-tricks. It's one of those films I'd love to have stills from because of the wiiiiiiiidescreen. Along with the panoramic shots I always remember how you never see the face of Jesus Christ - interesting choice by the filmmakers.
I think it could be a little higher on the current list, but if all the fantastic movies that got bumped off this time were still on the list, then it could stay where it is.
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thesamman
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 7:38pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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I am ashamed to say i own it yet have never watched it.
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Zaz
Title: Manager, The Ampitheatre
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Oct '98
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 8:39pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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I saw the silent version on TCM once; to my great surprise, the sound version is quite a close copy of it. It also has terrific action sequences.
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GrandAdmiralJello
Title:
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Date Posted:
6/26/07 9:43pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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My favorite parts centered more on the musings of Judah with various characters, from Messala, to Arrius, to the guy with the horses. They have interesting discussions on life.
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Roma Æterna|SPQR Imperium Sine Fine "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque" -Ennius, Annales "Tu regere imperio populos, Romanæ, memento;hæ tibi erunt artes; pascisque imponere morem, parcere subjectis et debellare superbos" -Virgil, Aeneid
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The_Face
Title: Fan Fic Manager, now with more real butter flavor
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Date Posted:
6/30/07 11:11am
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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Glad this is getting some response. Next up is the first of the ‘new’ movies…
99. Toy Story (1995)
Principal Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Director: John Lasseter
Position 10 Years Ago: N/A
Plot Synopsis: Woody (Hanks) fears he’ll be replaced by the flashy, delusional Buzz Lightyear (Allen) as ‘favorite toy.’ The two of them are accidentally lost, and become friends in the course of their journey back home.
My Take: In 2003, the Online Film Critics Society ranked Toy Story as the greatest animated film of all time. It is in fact the only animated movie on AFI’s list. Pixar is always great, and Toy Story is no exception. My favorite of theirs is The Incredibles, but I think Toy Story makes it onto the list for having more historical and cultural impact. I’m pleased it’s on here.
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-Mon Mothma on the dangers of Luke keeping the Skywalker name
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prj1
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
6/30/07 11:26am
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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This is one of my favorites on the list. I like everything about this film. The plot, the actors, even the music. Comedy, drama, excitement, it's all there.It's excellent for all ages.
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Yodas-evil-twin
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
6/30/07 12:06pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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Sid scared me to death as a child.
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KnightWriter
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Nov '01
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Date Posted:
6/30/07 12:58pm
Subject:
RE: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) 100. Ben-Hur (1959)
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Great movie. Toy Story 2 is better, but the original was (like ANH to ESB) the pioneer.
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