The Historama Forum

I should point out that I'm rating my own interest in seeing these films (i.e. this isn't an idealized roster for the oscars, lauded but dull films which any self-respecting watcher "has" to include on his must-see lists). Mine, in no specific order:

- Fiddler on the Roof: Chaim Topol, and John Williams original score; a wonderful interweaving of historical narrative and morals - relevant up to this day
- The Bridge on the River Kwai: superb characters, especially William Holden's cynical pow; insightful morals so soon after WWII and breakout-hero war films; springled with bitter humor (the coolie outside Saito's hut); amusing to see James Donald play the protagonist 6 years later in "Great Escape"
- Patton: compelling character whose outlook speaks to my soul
- Schindler's List: Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley
- 1984: interesting representation of Orwell's future; I similarly *loved* Terry Gilliam's "Brazil"
- Where Eagles Dare: Richard Burton! Excellent action-espionage plot
- Raiders of the Lost Ark: Ahh, when Harrison Ford rolled out the wisecracks and action films set on a historical background were more genuine and less glossy
- A Bridge Too Far: Engrossing story; a pyrotechnic feast for the eyes; amusing portrayal of Gen. Browning by Dirk Bogarde
- Apocalypse Now: Absorbing and philosophical narration; well developed story and morals
- Das Boot: Prochnow convinces as the captain; absorbing in spite of the simple setting inside a submarine; maybe the characters were a bit too cynical for Kriegsmarine model Nov. 1941

The Runners-Up:
- Zulu: I'm a big fan of Michael Caine, but hard to see this film as often as the ones above
- JFK: a clever use of historical facts interspersed into a dramatised narrative to make a story; thought-provoking; great acting by Costner.
- Nixon: a very engrossing representation of the character and his tribalations - excellently cast as Anthony Hopkins. Tempting to put this one into my Top 10...
- Lawrence of Arabia: I rather enjoyed the landscape more than the actual acting / plot
- The Man Who Would be King: Caine and Connery! Tempting to put this one into my Top 10...
- Remains of the Day: Excellent acting; brooding atmosphere; touching personalities
- All the President's Men: Redford, and Jason Robard's "old school" paper editor character. The methodical storyline made an otherwise dry, long historical event engaging to watch.
- The Cross of Iron: some what obscure but I really enjoyed Maximillian Schell's acting
- A Woman Called Golda: An engaging representation of Israeli history, more so in my opinion than "Exodus" (though the soundtrack there was brilliant)