I see several mentions of Seven Samurai which, agreed, is a pretty good movie. But IMO, Kurosawa’s best film; perhaps a* perfect* film, is Ikiru.
Another jaw-droppingly awesome movie is Hara-kiri. If you would have told me that a movie showing a guy sitting on a mat for 2+ hours telling a story would be world-class entertainment, I might not have believed you. But I would have been wrong. This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. The scene where the young samurai has to … do what he does … is highly, highly effective. Even in today’s cinema, with no holds barred explicitness, I don’t know how you could match the power of that simple B&W scene.
I just saw Hara Kiri. Really great. It is by the screenwriter for Rashomon (speaking of which…) and a lot of Kurosawa films. If I recall it is flashbacks and locations too. Just so people don’t think it’s another “my dinner with andre”…
There are more great Japanese and French B&W movies than are countable, and Bunuel may not have been mentioned yet: The exterminating Angel, Los olvidados, and on and on.
Sorry if I am repeating.
Truffault: Jules and Jim, Shoot the piano Player, 400 blows…
Godard: Breathless, masculin feminin…
Louis Malle: Elevator to the gallows…
Anyone ever seen Kubricks Killers Kiss?
Sometimes it is a budgetary necessity. Clerks and the original Night of the Living dead were B&W because Smith and Romero couldn’t afford for color (either the cost of film or processing or possibly both)
This makes no sense. The OP didn’t specify latter day or early. It’s not like color came on a particular date anyway. Production decisions got made in a whole range of circumstances after color was invented.
It’s got nothing on Tales from the Gimli Hospital, which is so bizarre, it gave me weird dreams-- not nightmares, just weird dreams.
Another great B&W made due to budget constraints is Stranger than Paradise. It’s one of those films that, when I was a projectionist, I watched it every single time I showed it.
“The Third Man,” “Red River,” “Rebecca,” and “Anatomy of a Murder” are favorites. Two very good films I don’t the have been mentioned are “Mister Buddwing” with James Garner and “Mirage” with Gregory Peck.
1. Seven Samurai: so engrossing you forget you are watching a classic foreign film (for those who are allergic to them)
2. My Man Godfrey: just an all around great screwball comedy. William Powell’s scenes with the actress playing Molly the maid are just perfect.
Too many possibilities for third but I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Wuthering Heights, Mildred Pierce, It’s A Wonderful Life…
I’ve only seen Les Enfants du Paradis once but it was mesmerizing.
Holy shit, I have my #3 but it’s really #1:** I Know Where I’m Going**. Can’t believe I didn’t think of this right off the bat. LOVE this film, love Roger Livesey.
Most of my favorites have already been mentioned (esp. Dr. Strangelove), but no one has brought up Touch of Evil yet? The part near the end with the huge shadows is a classic of B&W cinema.
It’s also the best B&W movie ever made that has Janet Leigh alone in a remote motel with a creepy front desk clerk.
Casablanca - Great cast, story, music, setting. A well-deserved classic, and my all-time favorite movie, in color or B&W.
Notorious - A great espionage thriller, and long my favorite Hitchcock.
It’s a Wonderful Life - Uplifting, funny, moving, inspirational.
Also very good:
The Maltese Falcon - Hard-boiled detective noir at its best.
Roman Holiday - Charming romance between a reporter and a princess.
Seven Days in May - Great American political thriller.
To Kill a Mockingbird - Coming of age in the Great Depression. Almost as good as the book.
Paper Moon - Clever, endlessly entertaining film about Dust Bowl grifters.
Dr. Strangelove - Hilarious Cold War dark comedy.
Fail Safe - The serious version of Strangelove; very good in its own right. Now if only Henry Fonda were actually on the ballot this year for President!
The Third Man - Thriller set in a ruined postwar Vienna. Great zither score.
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid - Very funny spoof of noir dramas.
Yojimbo - Acerbic, kickass ronin cleans up a corrupt Japanese town. Love it!
I’d go with Rashomon instead. Better story and the use of light and shadows is a great display of the power of B&W filmmaking. One of those years ahead of its time but made with older tech films.
The Big Sleep (more Bogie and Bacall)
Animal Crackers (since Monkey Business, Duck Soup, and Night at the Opera have already been mentioned)
Horsefeathers (ditto)