Hamlet (1948): 21st Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 23 February 2014

Hamlet (1948)

This black and white film adaptation of Shakespeare's play was quite well done. This was the first Shakespeare play put to screen out of the Best Picture winners so far. The scenes were well set out, the castle used was quite realistic and some scenes were quite effective. This was the first time I had ever seen any form of Hamlet in its full duration.

I felt that mainly this would be more effective if it was left to the stage. Although the father in the mist added what I'd call a good 'Shakespearean Darth Vader' effect, some scenes lost the touch on the screen compared to its potential on stage including the famous 'to be or not to be' scene. It was long (yes, it would be long on stage, too), but I felt less engaged with the story and felt that if I saw the same thing on stage I might engage with the play much better.

The Shakespearean language is always going to be a barrier for me (as I'm not used to it), but I still got the idea of what was happening.

It's good if you like Shakespeare put to film, but I think some plays (like this) should be left to the stage and not put in film, as timeless and relevant as Shakespeare's plays are and will be.

Why did it win Best Picture? Well, Shakespeare is always a timeless classic and it probably was a great time to bring out a film with romance and swords on screen.

Gentleman's Agreement (1947): 20th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 12 January 2014

Gentleman's Agreement (1947)

This black and white film follows on with the post-war theme where a journalist investigates about attitudes of American society about anti-semitism.

This is another film that shows the attitudes and views of the American people post-World War II, yet this focuses its attitudes towards Jewish people (or even people who might be Jewish).

There is a love story in the midst of this, which makes for a very interesting storyline.

Definitely a provocative film for its time!

Why did it win Best Picture? I would say that the controversial angle the film took about such a post-war topic would definitely put it in the bag! Gregory Peck's role was also well-played.

The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946): 19th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 12 January 2014

The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)

This black and white film followed several men and their lives after returning from World War II in the United States of America. This film was quite fascinating in looking at not only how the men got back into civilian life with their families and their workplaces, but also how much their society had changed around them whilst they were at war. It was an interesting reflection upon how society functioned post WWII and the attitudes and views of those in the society had changed and progressed.

The viewpoints, insights and portrayal of these men settling back home leads to a very interesting and well-played film.

Why did it win Best Picture? The hot topic was the war at the time, so that would definitely be one reason. I'd definitely say another reason was the perspective the film took on those who returned from WWII and the different experiences that gave a snapshot of what it was like for returning troops.

The Lost Weekend (1945): 18th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 8 September 2013

The Lost Weekend (1945)

This black and white film was quite an artistic film. This film followed a man's life and how alcoholism basically took away all he had in life (a woman, a job, his family). Although it had its depressing theme of alcoholism, it was a film that was full of great, articulate quotes about philosophies of life. The photography was superb and portrayed the view of an alcoholic quite uniquely and artistically.

This is quite a heavy film, but is quite unique and artistic whilst tackling the often depressing and confronting topic of alcoholism in a unique way.

Why did it win Best Picture? I think the artistic nature of the film, the creative and insightful lines said throughout the film, the beautiful photography and the fact that it tackles alcoholism are all contributing factors as to why it won.

Going My Way (1944): 17th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 23 February 2013

Going My Way (1944)

This black and white film was quite a sweet and poignant film among the war films from previous years.

Bing Crosby plays a priest (Father Chuck O'Malley) who decides to get a gang of kids to form a choir. This isn't Father O'Malley's only challenge, he also has a church building to rebuild among other encounters in his duties.

It's quite a feel-good, cosy film.

Why did it win Best Picture? I think it was a sweet film that gave hope to a 'broken town' and during a time of war, this is probably what the people needed to watch and be reminded of. Other than a sweet story, I wouldn't be sure of any other reason for it to win.

Casablanca (1943): 16th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 23 February 2013

Casablanca (1943)

Believe it or not this was my first time for viewing this classic film, and I've got to say that it definitely is a classic! It's stylish and smooth. It's even got a love story to match! The war themes add an extra oomph to the film as well. Bogart's performance as Rick was stylish and well played.

The only problem I have with the film is the flashbacks are not clear enough, so I spent half the film trying to work out how it worked out chronologically. It may be clear to others, but it wasn't clear to me.

Definitely a great classic film to watch - just watch for the flashbacks!

Why did it win Best Picture? I think Bogart's performance, the hot topic of war at the time, the unique love story and even its exotic setting in Casablanca, all combine to make a classic piece of film. I'm sure Rick's classic lines may have contributed as well, making them the famously quoted lines that are still known today.

Mrs Miniver (1942): 15th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 23 September 2012

Mrs Miniver (1942)

This black and white film was set in England during the Second World War and had a focus on the perspective of the 'woman back at home' whilst the man went off to war. The war also came close to home with several bombing scenes.

It was a sweet film with touches of humour throughout (including the flower competition scene that was quite entertaining), whilst still portraying how close and how serious the war was and what war was like for women and children in England.

It was definitely an enjoyable film.

Why did it win Best Picture? A different perspective on WWII would definitely be part of the reason, I would say (and as it was probably hot topic that year). I think the 'both sides of the fence' perspective definitely captured a snapshot of what the war was like, both from the masculine 'going-off-to-war' angle as well as the feminine 'stay-at-home' angle.

How Green Was My Valley (1941): 14th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 29 January 2012

How Green Was My Valley (1941)

This black and white film was set in Wales in a village that was mainly a coal mining town. It followed the lives of a family who lived there. The themes in the filmed mainly revolved around the family who sought the career of their family (in the coalmines), but also explored the possibility of greater job prospects outside of town.

The movie was watchable, but was not anything epic, in my opinion.

Why did it win Best Picture? All I can think of is that it was a snapshot of life in the coalmines at the turn of the 20th Century put into film.