# What is your favorite movie of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251 "2011-10-11T03:40:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/101 "2011-10-12T04:28:12Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I wish this thread was around when I had Netflix… I never saw **Blade Runner** , and there’s no video stores around me anymore. It’s a shame you have to go into this with such high praise for it on your mind. When I first saw it, it was a late-evening what-the-heck-nothing-else-is-on impulse, back when it had recently left theaters and came to HBO. It’s not a fast-moving film, and the protagonist - Harrison Ford - does some unlikable things, while the brutal antagonist does at least one surprisingly altruistic thing. It’s a beautifully shot movie filled with broken people and broken ‘replicants’, and it makes you wonder just what the difference is between them. I think it’s a little like “Local Hero” in that you just let it unwind at it’s own pace, and the subtleties worm their way into your mind. I found it terribly immersive, and it benefits from a relaxed, unhurried state of mind and multiple viewings. The special effects and sets hold up, I feel, to some of today’s best, and makes multiple viewings a feast for the eyes. There are different versions. Some ppl hate the “voiceover” theatrical version with Harrison Ford giving a ‘film noir’-like narration, but I think it has it’s place, and might be the one to see first. Others might say watch the Director’s cut or Ultimate/Final cut first, so that you can determine what you think of the movie without the narration explaining it to you. As I said, it IS a somewhat slow-paced film, and if you are impatient with that sort of thing, the narration might help. “If only you could see, what I’ve seen with your eyes. . .” Watch it on DVD at minimum. The sets and cinematography are worth the higher resolution and reduced compression rate. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/102 "2011-10-12T04:29:08Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > **Stalag 17** The movie’s not where I got my username, but I love that it’s in it. Can you think of where it is? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/103 "2011-10-12T04:35:43Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > The movie’s not where I got my username, but I love that it’s in it. Can you think of where it is? WAG: a horse? Or was it a mouse in a “horse race”? Or was that crickets? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/104 "2011-10-12T04:42:14Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > If I absolutely, positively can choose only one film it’s probably > > _A Man for All Seasons_ Paul Scofield, Nigel Davenport, Orson Welles, Robert Shaw, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, a very young John Hurt, Susannah York, need I go on? Not to mention the incredibly well-written dialog and stunning plot. Of course, it’s taken from a very successful play, so as one might expect. Anyway, I’ll go along with this as my favorite, although I don’t watch it very often. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/105 "2011-10-12T04:45:49Z")
_Casablanca_ ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/106 "2011-10-12T04:46:57Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Or was it a mouse in a “horse race”? [That’s the one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQJCYtO9po) ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/107 "2011-10-12T04:48:43Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Not to mention the incredibly well-written dialog and stunning plot. Of course, it’s taken from a very successful play, so as one might expect. Anyway, I’ll go along with this as my favorite, although I don’t watch it very often. > Roddy the thing that makes me want to watch this movie over and over is how short robert shaw’s speaking part was but it seemed to dictate the mood of the entire story. his portrayal of Henry VIII is a heavy for all seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/108 "2011-10-12T09:10:32Z")
_Last Year at Marienbad_. An unfair question, though, and an almost painful one to answer when I think of all the wonderful movies I can’t even mention. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/109 "2011-10-12T09:47:16Z")
**Spoke** , your choice makes us kindred spirits! My favorite is also **DOCTOR ZHIVAGO** and has been since it was released in the 1960s. But I will add that when my first marriage ended, the only possessions my husband and I battled over were the 8x10 glossies from **CASABLANCA**. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/110 "2011-10-12T09:50:31Z")
**pseudotriton ruber ruber** , the soundtrack to **CHINATOWN** is also excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/111 "2011-10-12T10:07:14Z")
Another day I’d probably give a different answer but here and now, I’ll go for **Kind Hearts and Coronets**. Almost the whole script is deeply quotable, the plot is perfect and the acting amazing. Alec Guinness deserves all the praise he earned for his mutiple roles but Dennis Price as the lead character was for me, just spectacular. The whole film would have failed if he hadn’t pulled off the amazing achievement of making callous murder look not only acceptable to the audience but even sympathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/112 "2011-10-12T12:58:04Z")
The answer I want to give right now is **A Clockwork Orange**. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/113 "2011-10-12T12:58:36Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > **Stalag 17** > > _Ach, so…_ > [@Equipoise](#): > > The movie’s not where I got my username, but I love that it’s in it. Can you think of where it is? > [@Zeldar](#): > > WAG: a horse? Or was it a mouse in a “horse race”? Or was that crickets? > [@Equipoise](#): > > [That’s the one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQJCYtO9po) Terrific clip. So what’s the movie with the “horse race” using bugs or crickets or similar critters? I have this vague mental picture of maybe beetles with painted dots on their backs. Same basic situation with prisoners and entertainment. Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/114 "2011-10-12T16:50:50Z")
_All That Jazz_ ---
**Author:** ![MacGyverInSeattle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MacGyverInSeattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacGyverInSeattle)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/115 "2011-10-12T18:45:50Z")
> [@Bosstrain](#): > > Guys, this is ridiculously easy, anyone who knows anything about directing, acting, story and timing would hands down pick **Sound of Music**. It took me a long time to get past the singing and dancing, I generally hate musicals, but this movie is a masterpiece, the likes of which will never be rivaled, and I cry for those who don’t see this to be an all-time winner (I understand if you feel the need to be macho and pick something else that’s got gore and action, however, most females will agree that this is one of the best movies, so take my advice and at least pretend to like it, gents). > > I don’t always watch movies, but when I do…I prefer stories… Sorry, can’t agree, I have been forced to watch SOM several times and every time it causes me to either come down with the flu or hemorrhage. I don’t have a best movie to list but I sure do have a worst one (That I have watched that is) and Sound of music is it. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/116 "2011-10-12T18:56:19Z")
Ahhhh!! Three pages and no mention of the funnies movie of all time?? Airplane! ---
**Author:** ![MacGyverInSeattle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@MacGyverInSeattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacGyverInSeattle)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/117 "2011-10-12T19:27:34Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Ahhhh!! > > Three pages and no mention of the funnies movie of all time?? > > Airplane! For Funniest Movie I would have to go with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. ---
**Author:** ![Shark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/118 "2011-10-12T20:01:40Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Gotta be **The Shawshank Redemption** Yep. That’s the one and I’m not being obtuse. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/119 "2011-10-12T20:08:44Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Apocalypse Now This. Tremendous acting, fine adaptation of Conrad’s idea, good use of history, mind-blowing mise-en-scene. Ask me another day, I might say _The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari_ or _The Searchers_. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251/120 "2011-10-13T00:57:22Z")
I’ll second someone else’s grievance that ‘favorite’ should be by genre. I’ll also second the opinion that ‘favorite’ is not the same as ‘best of all time’ (and would also be better served by breaking it into genres). I’d say my favorite still happens to be Lester’s version of The Three Musketeers (which we’ve learned from another Dope discussion was broken into _The Queen’s Diamonds_ and its sequel The Four Musketeers: _Milady’s Revenge_). In my mind, they really are one long movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-movie-of-all-time/599251.md?page=7)