My Top 5: Favourite Films Of All Time

Let’s talk about our favourite films.

Personally, I don’t think it’s possible to just have one favourite film. I certainly don’t. I have a top five, which could absolutely be extended to a top ten, which could also be a top fifteen and a top twenty. What does it take to make something your favourite film? For me, it must be entertaining, engaging, and rewatchable. I’ve seen all of my favourite films multiple times, and I’m more than likely to turn to one of them if I’m looking for something to watch. Without further ado, I’m going to talk a little bit about my top five favourite films of all time – in no particular order, I must add!

1917

I knew from the get-go that this was a film I would enjoy. I seem to have a particular affinity for war films, of which 1917 is resolutely one. It is a firm favourite of mine owing to its story, score, and cinematography. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is nothing short of genius, ramping up the immersion and making you feel as though you are there on the front lines amidst the action. Coupled with Thomas Newman’s score, it makes for a stunning audio-visual experience. Not only that, but the screenplay itself is both beautiful and heart-breaking in equal measure, and is, as an aspiring screenwriter, a masterpiece to be revered. I know there are somewhat mixed reviews about 1917, but personally it is something that I could watch again and again and never tire of.

The Great Escape

Another war film that is a firm favourite of mine! The Great Escape benefits from the fact that it is based on a true story, giving the characters a depth and humanity that they could otherwise lack, given the fact that there are so many of them requiring attention. It has a host of talented actors on the bill, topped off by Steve McQueen’s enigmatic portrayal of ‘The Cooler King’ Hilts. The scenes portraying the eventual escape are tense and thrilling, and you find yourself watching with bated breath even when you already know the outcome. It is a film that I will always turn to when I’m looking for something to watch that I know I’ll enjoy. Plus, everyone loves that theme tune, right?

Parasite

I will never forget watching Parasite for the first time, in a packed cinema on the day it was released in the UK. It was the most insane, incredible thing I had ever seen, and I loved it immediately. It is an absolute masterclass in storytelling, and Bong Joon Ho deserved every single Oscar he took home. The way that the story plays out is phenomenal, especially with the small details that foreshadow the film’s crescendo. There are some scenes in Parasite that I will undoubtedly think about for the rest of my days.

The Shawshank Redemption

This is another one of those films where, even when you know the outcome, you still find yourself immersed in the story. The trials and tribulations of Andy Dufresne are as engaging on your first watch as they are on your second, or fifth, or tenth. Coupled with Deakins’ cinematography and a beautiful score from Thomas Newman (just like 1917), The Shawshank Redemption is a pretty perfect film. Robbins and Freeman have incredible chemistry that really helps to add depth to their portrayals of Andy and Red, respectively. Plus, that Crooks storyline will never not be utterly heart-breaking.

Inception

I was pretty late to Inception; I was 11 when it first came out, and wholly uninterested. I first watched it a few years ago and was immediately enamoured with it. I know it sometimes gets written off as convoluted or confusing, but personally I disagree. The story is engaging and easy enough to understand when you pay attention, the characters are interesting, the cinematography and score are top notch, and there’s a healthy dose of ambiguous morality. If that’s not enough, you’ve also got Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a suit, and Tom Hardy delivering one of the most iconic lines in recent cinematic history. Oh, and a totally badass rotating hallway fight. What more could you possibly want?

So, that's my top five! Like I said earlier, I have a host of other favourite films that I'll probably talk about in the future. In the meantime, what are your favourites? Do you agree with any of mine? Let me know!