Steven Spielberg has just named "The Godfather" as the greatest American film of all time! Difficult to argue with someone with the clout as Spielberg, but I, just like you, have my own opinions and below, I've gathered some American made films I'd nominate for "Best American Film Of All Time"! Feel free to read the article about Spielberg discussing his reasoning by clicking here!
I do agree that "The Godfather" is ONE of the greatest American Films ever made, but I would argue that these films would rank just as high (or higher).
"Casablanca" (1942) : This film has something for everyone! Drama, Romance, Action, Comedy, etc. Since the script wasn't finished at the time of shooting, I believe that added to the realism of the performances and this film still brings tears to my eyes, no matter how many times I've seen it!
"The Searchers" (1956): When John ford collaborated with John Wayne, you knew you were in for something special! This film has to be John Wayne's finest performance and I've had people on-line say "this film is dated" and "the film is racist", etc. The point of the film is racism, also civilization & wilderness. I've read a few times that this film was how director John Ford dealt with his own racism. This film will always remain relevant especially with the family aspect of the story!
"The Killing" (1956): Stanley Kubrick's first masterpiece and yes I could've gone with any Kubrick film, but since he shot most of his films overseas for the majority of his career, I went with this film noir because it was actually shot & filmed in America! Still one of the most influential films ever!
"Touch Of Evil" (1958): Many will put "Citizen Kane" above "Touch Of Evil", but I want to spotlight this one-of-a-kind film noir that deals with corruption, enforcing & upholding the law, racial tension and was dismissed at the time (Orson Welles himself was fired after filming was complete). The film was re-edited and some scenes re-shot after a disastrous preview screening, but thankfully the film was restored and re-edited the way Orson Welles had intended back in 1998!
"Vertigo" (1958): Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller masterpiece is still a film that leaves audiences in awe and is still inspiring filmmakers today! The film received mixed reviews at the time but later was re-evaluated and is now a certified masterpiece. To be fair, any one of Hitchcock's American films could be a contender for "Greatest American Film"!
"Raging Bull" (1980): Martin Scorsese's hard hitting (no pun intended) biographical film about the troubled life (to say the least) of former middle weight boxing champion, Jake LaMotta. Scorsese thought this was going to be his last film at the time (thankfully it wasn't), so he was exacting in the editing and mixing of the film! Even though it was a mixed bag at the box office and for critics, it is now considered one of the greatest and most influential films ever made! Scorsese has at least a dozen films that could vie for "The Greatest American Film" title!
I suppose I could keep going, but you get the idea! Again, I do feel that "The Godfather" is one of the greatest of all films, but it's not the only "greatest" film possibility.
