Greatest Film Scores

"Along time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." The first of an epic space opera franchise and a fictional universe by writer/director George Lucas that has expanded and evolved since 1977 to become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon that has no rival. The beginning of the series to end all series, a film that may not be about history but certainly maked history. Spawining two sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, a prequel trilogy and an Expanded Star Wars Universe that virtually created a lifestyle brand. A worldwide epic that has had a irreversible impact on not just the Sci-Fi genre but on films in general. One of the main reasons the film is so great is that despite being about a "galaxy far away", set in a "along time ago", the characters, themes and story are firmly rooted in old hollywood. In the iconic scene where Luke Skywalker looks longfully to the hrizion (with two suns) he could be Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz, or James Dean, the scene of the lightsaber duel between the wise Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Guinness) and the ultimate villain, the black-garbed sinister Lord Darth Vader (voice of Jones), could be a scene from a medieval swashbuckler epic. The whole film is filled with allusions to the past despite being filled with aliens and galactic battle ships, a quasi-Western film about a battle as old as time between good (the rebel forces) and evil (the Imperial Galactic Empire). Star Wars is an ultimate spectacular space adventure that combines the old and the new: from a desert farm to Jabba the Hutt; the big and the small: from the epic battle between the Rebels and Empire to a simple coming of age story; and good verses evil. Truly one of the greatest sagas ever told and one of the greatest films ever put to screen. "May the force be with you." Winner of my Greatest Film Scores.

Gone With The Wind stands as the most enduring symbol of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Arguably the most loved film of all time and one of the greatest; Gone With The Wind is clearly one of filmdom's greatest cinematic achievements. Winner of ten Academy Awards including Best Picture, it broke the records and created one that would stand for many decades. It has sold more tickets than any other film in history and adjusting for inflation, the film is the highest grossing of all time. Scanning the South's tragic history during the Civil War and the Reconstruction period, told from the view of Scarlet O'Hara, Gone With The Wind is primarily a star-studded Civil War epic drama. However it is so much more than that, it is one of only two films that truly represent America, the other being The Godfather. Set during the time when the nation was forged it has become etched in the American cultural psyche. Gone With The Wind is about war, history, social class, politics, race, work, fashion, the land, language, religion, romance, relationships, death, gender roles, regional distinctions all seen through the lens of the American experience heightened by the "Immortal tale of the old South". Scarlet O'Hara, the indomitable, selfish, fiery Southern belle, played by Vivien Liegh in her greatest performance steals the show and creates a character that encapsulates a great leading lady performance. What makes her character as great as it is, is her twisted romance with Rhett Butler, Clarke Gable, culminating in the greatest line in movie history 'Frankly My Dear I don't give a damn'. It also includes other great lines such as "After all, tomorrow is another day!" and "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." Pure classic, pure great, pure cinema. Winner of my Best Film from the 1930's.

From T. E. Lawrence's memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the Majestic adventure and character drama - the epic story of T. E. Lawrence played to perfection by Peter O'Toole. The cinematography is unequaled by anything I have seen. Winner of my Best of the British Films.

One of the scariest of all the films I have ever seen. 'The Master Of Suspence' Alfred Hitcock's crowning glory. The infamous shower scene and shrieking score will remain etched in your mind and ears for ever. Must be seen from the begining. "A boy's best friend is his mother." Winner of my most Thrilling Film. Winner of my Greatest Film Death Scene.

Tragic, three part romantic saga with Mob boss Don Corleone and the rising, son Michael. Gripping suspense and memorable dialogue "I'll make
him an offer he can't refuse". The visually grand images of times and places contrast with the film's graphic violence. The Godfather remains among the most celebrated, landmark films of all time. Winner of my Best Film from the 1970's. Winner of my Greatest Crime and Gangster Films.

My personal favourite film. Titanic broke my heart and keeps a peice still. 11 Academy Awards, Highest Grossing film ever. 'My Heart Will Go On' haunting soundtrack. Winner of my Greatest Disaster Films. Winner of mr Greatest Epics. Winner of my Best Film from the 1990's. Winner of my Greatest Romantic Period Film.

Jaws is a masterful, horrible and realistic suspense/disaster film. Taps into the most primal of human fears, what is in the water? A really enormous scary shark. The famous theme music makes all the difference. "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Winner of my Best Creature Feature Films.

Cool, Intricate myster, revival of film noir. Roman Polanski's best film. Played brilliantly by private detective Nicholson. The unforgettable scene of sister/daughter the unbelieveable twists and turns and the memorable last line: "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

I must admitt of all the film genres the Western is my least favourite. They can be painfully straight forward, like the indianas vs the cowboys and the good vs the bad. Just as Will Kane stands alone in the streets of the town, High Noon stands alone as the great western. High Noon is also a morality tale between the hero Will Kane, the badies and the rest of the town that abandon's him to his fate. The film's most powerful assest is the character of Will Kane played by Gary Cooper in his best Academy Award winning role ever. Will Kane is one of the greatest heros of all, he falls into the class of great hero movies, such as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird and Jefferson Smith in Mr Smith Goes To Washington. These men all stand their ground the face of great adversity, sacrificing themselves to do what is right. Classically drawn story, simple and yet so powerful, the tight film structure creates a build up of suspense like no other film, as the clock ticks toward noon and the inevitable shootout. The haunting song that plays throught the film haunts you "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin". Simple but powerful. High Noon remains a tale for our troubled age. Winner of my Top Westerns.

Greatest film of the 2000's decade. End to the best saga of the age. 11 Academy Awards, second highest grossing film worldwide. Winner of my Best of the Decade 2000- and Top Film of 2003.

Hitchock classic. Obsession and suspense combine in this eerie drama. His famous fear of heights and the tense score by Bernard Herrmann, considered by many film writers and scholars as Hitchcock's most ambitious film. I would agree.

Spielberg's very personal, heartwarming masterpiece, could almost be classic Disney. With it's portrayal of the love between a young, boy and a lost alien. E.T. "E.T. phone home.", Classic.

Confirms Meryl Streep as greatest actress of modern times.

The Citizen Kane Of Hollywood. Sunset Boulevard is a classic that takes on the hollywood dream. The at times disturbing, gothic and ultimately tragic noir with character of the century the deluded silent star Swanson who actually lived a version of the character in real life as did the butler. Also real life people, The Waxworks, such as Buster Keaton, Anna Q. Nilsson and H. B. Warner, who, like De Mille, play themselves. Swanson is ready for her close-up in this impacting slice of Hollywood life depicting a reclusive, former silent screen actress. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay but did not win best picture because the academy didn't like the subject matter i.e. hollywood. "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." and "I am big! It's the pictures that got small."

The greatest hero ever Atticus Finch in the greatest courtroom drama ever. Lives up to Harper Lee's novel, which I was inspired to read after watching the film. We all need a lesson in compassion and the evils of prejudice from time to time, and it is here to give it. Robert Duvall is really scary as recluse Boo Radley. Winner of my Classic Courtroom Films.

The definition of an Epic. 11 Oscars, huge box office and really long. Its depiction of Jesus Christ was also extremely subtle and reverant. This epic, character-driven story features Heston as the title character in his carrer defining role. By far the film's most impressive and legendary action scene - is the spectacularly famous chariot race. Winner of my Greatest Chase Scene.

A teenagers dream movie. Tarantino masterly weaves together multiple stories that juggle different plot lines, but at the same time has room enough for the characters to just talk about whatever. Jackson is the best as a hit-man with strong moral codes. The Travolta-Thurman dance scene and metaphysical discussions between Travolta and Jackson are the most memorable. It has to be seen to be believed! Winner of my Top Cult Films. Winner of my Top Neo Noir Films.