50 Years of American Cinema
Created by Fidelio.
Favorited 3 times, disliked 1 time, added to 1 watchlist.
Since its first publication in the early sixties and over various updates, "50 ans de cinéma américain" has become the Holy Book of most french cinephiles. Initially published by Jean-Pierre Coursodon and Yves Boisset (with Bertrand Tavernier writing some unsigned articles) as an opuscule called "20 ans de cinéma américain", the book has been totally restructured by Coursodon and Tavernier in the early seventies as "30 ans de cinéma américain", then in 1991 as "50 ans de cinéma américain" and finally updated - for the time being - in 1995.
Due to its form and long sedimentation, division into many sections and the piling up of informations over the years, none list here can really do justice to this book. The highlight and largest section of the book is indisputably the "Dictionary of filmmakers" in which the authors virtually discuss the whole filmographies of more than 250 american directors (this part can't be materialized into a list).
The present list focuses on the first part of the book, a timeline between 1939 and 1993 including the most important and noteworthy movies of each year ("works"). Please note that this section also includes other comments ("facts" and "talents") impossible to transpose here.
The two authors bring up the unmissable masterpieces and commercial triumphs but also a lot of personal picks from overlooked directors or victims of the blacklist (residue of their early years as fervent publicists). They deliberately include some turkeys ("le coin du nanar") and obscurities ("à redécouvrir"), with a strong attention to short features (mainly cartoons).
I hope this list, despite its flaws and restriction to american movies, could be of some utility to ICM users and bring to light which is my favorite book about movies (along with the "Dictionary of Films" from Jacques Lourcelles).
The authors are currently working on a definitive edition of their book - presumably entitled "100 ans de cinéma américain" - that will considerably enlarge the scope, starting from 1914 and to likely reach 2014. Needless to say that most of the previously summoned french cinephiles are awaiting for this like men of God were devotedly expecting the Parousia back in the days.
Missing : "Seven lively arts" (John Hubley, 1959) ???
Pssst, want to check out the 50 Years of American Cinema list in our new look?
Filter
-
276 new
The Barefoot Contessa
1954, in 8 top lists Check -
277 new
Rear Window
1954, in 31 top lists Check -
278 new
Apache
1954, in 2 top lists Check -
279 new
Vera Cruz
1954, in 2 top lists Check -
280 new
Johnny Guitar
1954, in 22 top lists Check -
281 new
Executive Suite
1954, in 1 top list Check -
282 new
On the Waterfront
1954, in 32 top lists Check -
283 new
Sabrina
1954, in 5 top lists Check -
284 new
Silver Lode
1954, in 3 top lists Check -
285 new
A Star Is Born
1954, in 13 top lists Check -
288 new
Them!
1954, in 3 top lists Check -
289 new
The Naked Jungle
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
290 new
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
1954, in 8 top lists Check -
291 new
Cry Vengeance
1954, in 1 top list Check -
292 new
Jivaro
1954 — a.k.a. Lost Treasure of the Amazon, in 0 top lists Check -
293 new
Crime Wave
1953, in 2 top lists Check -
294 new
Beachhead
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
295 new
When Magoo Flew
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
296 new
Fudget's Budget
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
297 new
Drag-A-Long Droopy
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
308 new
The Purple Plain
1954, in 0 top lists Check -
319 new
I'm Cold
1954, in 0 top lists Check
Last updated on May 13, 2018;