AFI hits a few out of the park but whiffs elsewhere
By David Kempler
The American Film Institute recently released their lists of
the top 10 films in 10 different categories: Animation, Romantic Comedy, Western, Sports, Mystery, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Gangster, Courtroom Drama and Epic. For the most part they did a fine job. They nailed some of the category winners like "Raging Bull" for Sports, "The Wizard of Oz" for Fantasy, "2001: A Space Odyssey" for Sci-Fi, and "The Godfather" for Gangster, but how tough were those selections? To be fair, it was very refreshing to see the offbeat "Harold and Maude" included in the Romantic Comedy category. Let's focus on where they blew it as hard as a tsunami. It is always a good deal more fun to talk about things you disagree with than those you agree with.
1. As you might expect, the Animation category was dominated by Disney. What is surprising is that "Fantasia" landed in the number 5 spot. It is hands down the most important film to ever come out of the world of Disney. It went across the grain by having no dialogue, no fairytale morality play and did not depend upon the standard good-will-win-out-over-evil theme that dominates most classic animation and most films in general. "Fantasia" is divided into eight separate experimental pieces that depended solely on the skills of animators and the music of the Philadelphia Orchestra, under the direction of the great Leopold Stokowski. It was also the first film released in stereo or as Disney called it, Fantasound. "Fantasia" featured music by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Schubert. The fact that it was made over 60 years ago and still holds up better than any other Disney flick is a testament to its greatness.
2. In the Western category there were two ridiculous occurrences. The first was the inclusion of "Cat Ballou". While it was a somewhat amusing watch, calling it a Western is akin to calling "Spaceballs" a sci-fi film. The more egregious mistake in this category was the omission of "My Darling Clementine", in my opinion, the definitive Western. It was directed by the master of the genre, John Ford, and recounted the often told tale of the gunfight at the OK Corral. Henry Fonda stars as Wyatt Earp and Victor Mature and Walter Brennan do magnificent jobs in their roles. This is the classic showdown between the lone good man versus the group of bad guys and it is masterfully shot by Ford. To me, it is THE American Western.
3. In the Sports category let me first say that I think that "Rocky" is among the most overrated flicks of all time, sports or otherwise. I also realize that I am in the vast minority on this one. If another boxing movie were to replace it, I'd go with "Body and Soul", the gritty 1947 boxing film starring the great John Garfield. It dealt with relationships and how corruption is so closely interwoven into the fabric of boxing. Another possibility in a similar vein would be "The Harder They Fall", starring Humphrey Bogart in his final screen appearance. My other complaint would be the exclusion of "Slap Shot", starring Paul Newman in one of the best combinations of sports and comedy ever. While I love "Caddyshack", in my opinion, nothing beats "Slap Shot". Both are still beloved and their supporters pretty much adore both of them.
4. I have a couple of major complaints with the movies that made the Sci-Fi list. How can "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" make it while the original "Terminator" doesn't? The original is far more serious and tense and plays as straight science fiction, while the second one turns Arnold into a semi-comedian. Yeah, he's still a crazed android but the wisecracks for the audience take away from the overall effect. I'm certain that in its time "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was powerful but its zing is gone. A much better choice, along the same lines of the possible-impending-doom-of-Earth would be "The Day the Earth Caught Fire". I understand that very few have seen it in comparison, but it is sci-fi at its very best, with crackling dialogue and a very unique story. Finally, is "Back to the Future" really a science fiction movie? Not in my opinion, anyway.
5. And lastly, we come to Courtroom Drama. Here is where AFI made by far their largest mistake. I have no particular complaints with any of the films in their top 10, however, my personal choice for number 1 is nowhere to be found. That film is "Inherit the Wind", the recounting of the famous Scopes Monkey trial that dealt with the teaching of evolution in a classroom in a small town in Tennessee in 1925. Spencer Tracy as Clarence Darrow, Fredric March as William Jennings Bryan in a battle of titanic men of their times going toe-to-toe. Great acting all around, amidst a story for the ages. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is both a great book and film but to not include "Inherit the Wind" in the courtroom drama list is a capital crime.
