How old does a flick need to be in order to be considered "classic?" I know them when I see them, of course, but the question remains. Does age have any bearing at all? Casablanca is clearly a classic, but what about Lawrence of Arabia? It came out in 1962. I consider it a classic, but is it "old enough?"
A movie should be considered a classic when the major actors and director are dead. Godfather does not yet qualify, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence does.
I think as long as it transcends generations it's a classic. A generation is 20-25 years. I think a movie, like Lawrence of Araba, being 52 years old is clearly a classic since it transcends three different generations.
fwiw classic cars are defined by 25yrs or older Classic Lifersture defines it by eras of major influence. I think for moveis classic lit is poossibly an interesting definition, but not for movies with it's very short lifespan to writing I say black n white is too restrictive now, but maybe they should get extra pts for like of color advancements and other disadvantages But I say the classic car rule should suffice as the easiest 25 yrs
I'm not so sure that was one take. It was mostly one set I'd say "Rope" was the closest to be done in one take. It was done "live" but in long takes, and they edited it down from there
I think I'd go with Face in the Crowd. Not a perfect film and possibly a little regionally biased but a lot more cynical and dark than I would have expected from the '50s or Andy Griffith. Knute Rockne, All American - there's a scene where he's playing some record with a piano waltz going and drilling his linemen on motion formations, just hilarious. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - My mom rented this from the library when I was in junior high; I was into Greek and Roman mythology and some history but couldn't tell heads from tails of that thing except for the theme song and learning who Zero Mostel was. Once I got older and checked out Antony and Cleopatra I understood the genre satire and grew to appreciate it a lot more. Jesus Christ Superstar - They gotta remake that **** with some A-listers now; I think just the energy level would get it a quarter-billion gross and Oscar nods. I would have rather seen this than that Reservoir Dogs remake Gibson did. North Dallas Forty - In addition to being the template for every single football movie ever made, I loved the last scene because it was such a typical '70s movie ending.
Nice answer! After I made that post, I kept thinking about the flick (I'm currently reading Lawrence in Arabia, by Scott Anderson, a superb history of Lawrence and others during WWI. It's outstanding!) and ended up watching it again last night. Such a great film.
