There was only one vote that really mattered this week, namely which movie really is the greatest of all time? That was the tough choice facing readers of Empire magazine, who sought to publish a list of the top 100 films in their June edition. After a mammoth count-up it was none other than the 1972 classic The Godfather which came out on top.
The cult flick’s unique blend of historical Sicily, horses’ heads and Mafia violence saw it beat many a crowd favourite to the top spot, including its sequel, The Godfather: Part II, which finished in twelfth place.
Making up the rest of the top ten (in this order) were The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, Raider Of The Lost Ark, Jaws, Star Wars and The Fellowship Of The Ring. Quite why Sex Lives of the Potato Men didn’t make the cut is anyone’s guess.
Citizen Kane, which for so many years has been considered the benchmark of filmmaking, limped in at 46, whilst Casablanca fared a little better at 28. Maybe the old black-and-white favourites just don’t hold the same appeal anymore. However, the top ten does provide a decent blend of fantasy and reality, along with films that you just never get tired of quoting. “Funny how?” is merely the tip of the iceberg.
For many though, the question marks will not just be over why The Godfather is number one, as some don’t even regard it as the best gangster flick of them all. Part II has long been famous as arguably the first film to better the original, whilst Goodfellas coming in at six will be enough to raise many a wise guy’s eyebrows. But you can’t argue with the public, even if, like me, you’ve sometimes wondered if The Godfather is three hours of your life you’ll never get back.
Do you agree with the outcome, or are there some glaring omissions? Let us know in the comments box.
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