Define Classic?

[carpaltonnel]

What in your mind makes a movie a classic? Are there actual rules or standards? Or is it just preference? List some of your favorite classics of all time!

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by carpaltonnel

What in your mind makes a movie a classic? Are there actual rules or standards? Or is it just preference?

A classic is a film: that does a certain thing to a point of lasting brilliance.

A classic re-shapes permanently the genre or type of filmmaking that the film embodies. A classic leaves a lasting imprint (of itself) on every film: that follows in it's footsteps.

A classic burns itself immediately into your mind, as a film you will never forget. In terms of story, personality, structure, cast, and effect.

A classic is a film that becomes its own adjective. Like Die Hard on a ship. Or Die Hard on a plane.

A classic creates a world distinctly it's own. While being entertaining, true to itself, and self-contained; all in the same breath.

A classic is a film: that when you watch it. You pick up something new, everytime.

A classic makes you forget that you're watching anything. Something that absorbs you totally and completely.

A classic is a quintessential tale told indelibly.

I hope that helps you.

Carpaltunnel, you never told me. If you got my list.

[carpaltonnel]

Bruce seemed to "define" a Classic film spot on. I'd love to hear about everyones personal take also, plus it would be cool if you could list the first Classic film that comes to your mind too. Maybe explain why it's a classic in your eyes.

[McKellars]

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - Because of its awesomeness.

[mikejet]

Any film a particular individual can watch over and over to their hearts content. Like I think Hunt for Red October is a classic.

Everything is always through the viewer perspective.

[carpaltonnel]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Any film a particular individual can watch over and over to their hearts content. Like I think Hunt for Red October is a classic.

Everything is always through the viewer perspective.

True indeed, but what about what is called "Classic Film?" What i'm saying is when you think of a "Classic Film" do you think old?

[peter008]

a movie does'nt have to be old to be a classic, it just have to leave you with a great lasting memory that will be with you forever.

[carpaltonnel]

Originally Posted by peter008

a movie does'nt have to be old to be a classic, it just have to leave you with a great lasting memory that will be with you forever.

Well put. A classic for me is "The Hustler" oldie but, a goodie.

[J_UNTITLED]

Ultimately, a classic is all up to the eye of the beholder and is entirely-subjective. One man's classic is another man's garbage.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Ultimately, a classic is all up to the eye of the beholder and is entirely-subjective. One man's classic is another man's garbage.

+1.

Let me give you an exapmple. I love the Sean Penn film I AM SAM. I have watched this at least a dozen times and I will watch it another dozen times, if not more. There is something about this movie that touches me and thereby for me it is a classic.

It's all a matter of personal choice.

John

[Lepidopterous]

I think a movie classic is a film that defines or redefines the art of cinema.

[Tadji Malik]

Originally Posted by peter008

a movie does'nt have to be old to be a classic, it just have to leave you with a great lasting memory that will be with you forever.

+1
That steals my definition. To paraphrase I'd say it's a film that has been or will be remembered for a long time, either by an individual or by a group.

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

A classic is a film that becomes its own adjective. Like Die Hard on a ship. Or Die Hard on a plane.

I like this one too.


I tend to let the test of time define classic. 'Casablana', 'Citizen Kane', and 'Lawrence of Arabia' make my list. 'Star Wars' counts as a modern classic. An ultra modern classic would be 'The Dark Knight'. Like it or hate it, it'll be remembered for a long time, and that's what makes the difference.

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by Tadji Malik

+1
That steals my definition. To paraphrase I'd say it's a film that has been or will be remembered for a long time, either by an individual or by a group.



I like this one too.


I tend to let the test of time define classic. 'Casablana', 'Citizen Kane', and 'Lawrence of Arabia' make my list. 'Star Wars' counts as a modern classic. An ultra modern classic would be 'The Dark Knight'. Like it or hate it, it'll be remembered for a long time, and that's what makes the difference.

So, in your mind, a "classic" doesn't actually mean the piece has to be good but that it is remembered or cited more often than others...?

[TenEightyP]

Originally Posted by Tadji Malik

I tend to let the test of time define classic. 'Casablana', 'Citizen Kane', and 'Lawrence of Arabia' make my list. 'Star Wars' counts as a modern classic. An ultra modern classic would be 'The Dark Knight'. Like it or hate it, it'll be remembered for a long time, and that's what makes the difference.

I was wondering how long before TDK got a mention, I was surprised it took that many posts !!

Like all posts on this forum, it's all about personal opinion. One person's classic will be another person's turkey.

For me there seems to be two kinds of classic:

The films defined as classics by film journalists, academics, critics and industry notables (see any TV programme with a "top 100 all times films" theme).

And secondly the films you personally love and define as classics, not necessarily from an academic standpoint, but just because you watch it over and over again. Or just enjoy it on any number of levels.

I have always wondered why Citizen Cane is defined as a classic, I must watch it again, but I would like someone, be it a discussion or a book to point out what I am missing.

I am going to name one film that I never get tired of watching (it's a good job optical media don't wear out). To me this is a classic.

Alien.


.

[tilapiah6]

I think a classic is defined by its originality and re-watchability to the viewer.

[andyman1970]

I think everyone has their own ideas as to what classic means. To me it is something that stands out from the rest and has stood the test of time. Something that has made an impact on individuals, groups and culture.

Some movies that I consider classics are

Casablanca
The Pink Panther (1964)
The Wizard of Oz
Halloween
Gone with the Wind
Star Wars (Original Trilogy)
Psycho
North by Northwest
so many early Disney works

And a few modern classics would include
Rain Man
Big Fish
Lord of the Rings trilogy
Pleasantville
Toy Story
Brokeback Mountain
Million Dollar Baby
Forrest Gump

[carpaltonnel]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I think a movie classic is a film that defines or redefines the art of cinema.

Well said sir, we are getting warmer! JK, love everyone replies. What are some of your "Instant Classics" recently?

[witheygull]

Originally Posted by TenEightyP

I have always wondered why Citizen Cane is defined as a classic, I must watch it again, but I would like someone, be it a discussion or a book to point out what I am missing.

How many times have you seen Citizen Kane? I was underwhelmed the first time I saw it, but my enjoyment of it has substantially increased with multiple viewings. For me the problem was I heard for years before I saw it that it was the greatest film of all time and was disappointed when I wasn't rendered comatose by awesomeness on first viewing it.

Once I got past the hype and watched the movie a second time (and a third, and a fourth, and however many times I've seen it now), I was able to see its merits more clearly.

I believe that most people would call Citizen Kane a classic due to the incredible technique displayed in the film. Orson Welles and his cinematographer Gregg Toland accomplished a lot of extremely difficult and creative shots that had never been attempted in film before. For some of the innovations they achieved, check out this wikipedia entry.

Another thing that has greatly enhanced my appreciation of the movie is just watching a lot more movies that came out prior to Citizen Kane. The more pre-1941 films you see, the more you will understand how much Citizen Kane advanced the art of film.

[209Mason]

Wow, Bruce hit the nail on the head from the get-go.
A couple more I thought up in addition.

A classic is a movie that inspires by showing what's best, and sometimes worst about humanity. It's a Wonderful Life, Schindler's List, Rocky, Glory, Rudy, Shawshank Remption, etc. come to mind.

A classic is a movie that never ages, either visually or thematically. For example, Sleeping Beauty looks as good today (maybe better) as it did half a century ago... Or a movie like Brazil whose messages about the economy and government control still ring true today. Or sometimes a movie can do both, 2001 blows my mind to this day in that most of it still looks as thought it could have been shot this year. Plus it carries the whole man/machine/evolution message throughout.

A classic is something that perfectly captures the mindset/attitude of the time it was set in.
For example, Dr. Strangelove capturing hysteria and fear that was the Cold War.

A classic is something that traditions are built around. For example, every year at Christmas A Chritsmas Story is on 24/7

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by carpaltonnel

Well said sir, we are getting warmer! JK, love everyone replies. What are some of your "Instant Classics" recently?

Recent instant classics?

When I think of instant classics, I think of movies that ingrain themselves firmly in your mind after viewing, because of their originality and effort towards moving modern cinema forward. A couple examples off the top of my head are No Country for Old Men and Planet Terror. They may seem random choices, but after viewing each one, I feel like I was reminded what movies were all about. And that's what a classic should do.

Javier Bardem's Chirgurh character pushed boundaries of the classically defined villain into new territory, and provided a new classic symbolic representation of evil, dragging that O2 tank in a peculiar stride or showing evil in his face without expression whilst choking the cop to death.

Robert Rodriguez always succeeds in unique visions but with Planet Terror, he took cheesy to a whole new level, but in a cool and interesting way. On top of the style of the movie and its tribute to double-features, the way Cherry sports her machine gun-leg provides a whole new perspective on sexiness. It almost baffles the viewer as to how someone can pull off such a thing. It's almost as if Cherry has become a twisted sex symbol of modern cinema. It goes beyond cheesy and into unpredictable, wildly entertaining, and awesome. So it's not simply because it hasn't been done before, but because it was executed marvelously.

Just two examples off the top of my head.