The Definitive List of 'Intellectual' Films..

[nandywell]

I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works:

Andrey Rublyov
8 1/2
The Mirror
L'avventura
Stalker
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Seventh Seal
Trois Couleurs
The Sacrifice
Last Year at Marienbad
Stalker
Rashomon
Solyaris
La Dolce Vita
Nostalghia
Journal D'un Curé De Campagne
Idi i Smotri
Smultronstället

More to follow..

[batman]

Out of that lot I can recommend Stalker, The Seventh Seal, Three Colours Trilogy, La Dolce Vita, Solyaris (give the under-rated remake a look as well), L'Avventura and Rashomon.

All fine films indeed.

For your consideration ....

Summer with Monika
The Virgin Spring
Stray Dog
Le Jour Se Leve

More to follow!

[Azanti]

lol somewhat subjective I would say.

[Joenoir]

Interesting to note that there isn't a true British film amongst them!

[batman]

Originally Posted by Azanti lol somewhat subjective I would say.

Surely one's choice of films to enjoy is always subjective.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by Joenoir Interesting to note that there isn't a true British film amongst them!

That must be why they always have sub-titles...

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by nandywell I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works: ... More to follow..

What do you think makes a film 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow'?
I could probably add to the list but I'd like to know what your criteria are.

I'll start with A Matter of Life and Death which is both very accessible and very intellectual at the same time with it's mentions of classic literature and poetry, figures and events from history mentioned and portrayed, questioning about the survival of the human soul after death and the detailed, and extremely accurate medical analysis

Steve

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by nandywell I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works: Andrey Rublyov 8 1/2 The Mirror L'avventura Stalker 2001: A Space Odyssey The Seventh Seal Trois Couleurs The Sacrifice Last Year at Marienbad Stalker Rashomon Solyaris La Dolce Vita Nostalghia Journal D'un Curé De Campagne Idi i Smotri Smultronstället More to follow..

Sounds like you are referring to what is often called the "art film" i.e. non mainstream films often with small budgets and non star actors? Films which do not rely on lavish sets or effects but concentrate on modest settings , with intelligent dialogue and a focus on character relationships and often have some allegorical message to convey. I would say films like "Withnail and I", "Local Hero" and "The Draughtsmans Contract" would fall into that category. I would also say France and Italy have a richer history of that type of film making and multiplexes in those countries still show small independent "art" or "high brow"movies as well as the blockbusters, I don't think that is the case in the UK (not outside London anyway) "Blow Up" is considered an art movie and was directed by an Italian filmaker. Linsday Anderson made some interesting films, the best of which was "If" . Bernardo Bertulluci made a very controversial "art" film in the 70s with "Last Tango in Paris" which became a main stream hit.... any one guess why?

[batman]

Originally Posted by christoph404 Bernardo Bertulluci made a very controversial "art" film in the 70s with "Last Tango in Paris" which became a main stream hit.... any one guess why?

Gato Barbieri's superb jazz score!

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by batman Gato Barbieri's superb jazz score!

Quite right, didn't think anyone would get that.

[batman]

A few more "arty-farty" films that I like are .....

The Magician
Belly of An Architect (UK/Italy)
Burn!
Battle of Algiers
It Happened Here (UK)
Ivan the Terrible Pts 1 and 2
Ashes and Diamonds
Kanal
A Generation
Ossessione
Alexander Nevsky
Butterfly Kiss (UK)
Close My Eyes (UK)

[nandywell]

What do you think makes a film 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow'?

It's difficult to really define. There are many films out there that have tried to achieve this status but failed for one reason or another. It's merely only my observation but, as I scroll down the list of films that I mentioned in kick starting this thread, they almost all seem to share a number of characteristics, these being: time and pace being of no real consequence, unorthodox cinematography and a charming modesty in plot, performance and execution.

[Mark O]

Would not 'les yeux sans Visage' be classed as an 'Intellectual' Film........I think it should!

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by batman A few more "arty-farty" films that I like are ..... The Magician

Which version? There have been quite a few with that title

Steve

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by nandywell It's difficult to really define. There are many films out there that have tried to achieve this status but failed for one reason or another. It's merely only my observation but, as I scroll down the list of films that I mentioned in kick starting this thread, they almost all seem to share a number of characteristics, these being: time and pace being of no real consequence, unorthodox cinematography and a charming modesty in plot, performance and execution.

Well in that case, would you add a few more P&P films to the list?
As well as AMOLAD mentioned above I'd suggest that I Know Where I'm Going!, A Canterbury Tale and probably The Edge of the World probably also fit that bill.

As for those that have tried but failed, it could be a bit like trying to create a cult film or book? You can't create one, you have to let the people decide that it is one

Steve