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]

name='Azanti']lol somewhat subjective I would say.

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

[Moor Larkin]

name='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]

name='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]

name='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]

name='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]

name='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]

name='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]

name='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

[batman]

name='Steve Crook']Which version? There have been quite a few with that title



Steve

Ingmar Bergman's The Magician. I should have used the Swedish or even the UK title ... which is The Face



Ansiktet (1958)

[michaelswings]

hum 'Intellectual' movie are simply subjective depending on you IQ

[christoph404]

name='michaelswings']hum 'Intellectual' movie are simply subjective depending on you IQ

Isn't IQ based on a mathematical deduction which is an accepted scale in measuring intelligence? Intellect is not really subjective because it can be measured can't it? A person of low intelligence might form the opinion that a Steven Segal action film is a high brow offering but I think that might mean that they are deluded rather than forming a subjective conclusion.

[Steve Crook]

name='batman']Ingmar Bergman's The Magician. I should have used the Swedish or even the UK title ... which is The Face



Ansiktet (1958)

There are a few others called The Face as well





Rex Ingram's The Magician (1926) is quite good as well



Steve

[batman]

name='Steve Crook']There are a few others called The Face as well





Rex Ingram's The Magician (1926) is quite good as well



Steve

Yes indeed. I'm glad I put the original title up as well or else I could have been bombarded with queries from Robert Carlyle fans!



The Ingram film does sound interesting.