Film is a vast medium and a part of our daily lives. New films are released almost every week, and old ones are referenced every day, whether through conversation or media. Movies have evolved greatly, but it is important to remember and appreciate the ones that started it all. What defines a classic? Well, a classic must be iconic, and popular, but the fame often comes from a certain wow-factor; for example, the technological achievements, or the message behind the movie. Classics are an important part of our history, and they can come in many shapes and forms.
When you think of old movies, you might think of the black-and-white look. This was the case for most movies until the early 1960s. One black-and-white film from 1957, while not that popular at the time, has only gained popularity since it aired. “12 Angry Men” takes place in the middle of a murder trial, and follows the jury as they argue about the verdict. It is a staple film in fighting racism, and a wonderful character study. Another early classic you may have heard of is “Jaws” (1975). The renowned early horror movie about a shark made waves in the box office, and is still making them today.
People like to see what they haven’t seen before, and with technology evolving, movies were making headway in both experimenting with new technology and predicting the future of technology. Sci-Fi films became popular in the 1960s, and the industry has been growing their technological predictions ever since. Many movies of the 60s were considered to be ahead of their time, most notably, “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968). Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece told of human evolution, and what life would be like in 2001. The look and feel of this movie is not old at all; it still feels new after 6 decades. Another famous Sci-Fi series was the Star Wars Trilogy (1977-1983), which made $775 Million at the box office.
Important films have an important message. During the 80s and 90s, many heartfelt and lovable films were released that are still well loved today. You may know “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) for its lovable characters. Naturally, the movie follows Ferris Bueller, a lovable cool guy, and expert in school-skipping. It’s movies like these that take us out of a stressful reality and remind us of the fun times. Another heartfelt favorite from the 90s is “Forrest Gump” (1994), about a man who only loves. That is just the quality that makes his character so important and still relevant today.
Classics are films that make a statement. It could be a statement that amazes us, charms us, or makes us think. As film is a depiction of the human condition, the classics are the depictions that really speak to us, and that’s why it’s important to cherish them.
