I have now seen 68 films that were released in 1949. The complete list is here. A few B movies were reviewed only here.
This time I had a hard time deciding the ranking toward the top of the list. Ozu won but on another day I might have picked Reed. I was unable to see Whiskey Galore this time around. It is also a very good film but it’s been so long that I did not include it in my rankings. Kurosawa’s The Quiet Duel, Ford’s She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Walsh’s White Heat were also-rans.
10. The Rocking Horse Winner – directed by Jack Lee
9. House of Strangers – directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
8. Twelve O’Clock High – directed by Henry King
7. Stray Dog – directed by Akira Kurosawa
6. The Set-Up – directed by Robert Wise
5. All the King’s Men – directed by Robert Rossen
4. The Heiress – directed by William Wyler
3. A Letter to Three Wives – directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
2. The Third Man – directed by Carol Reed
1. Late Spring – directed by Yasujirô Ozu
So many of these I do not know. I really have to see Late Spring, so I think I will find an Ozu box set or something.
Whiskey Galore tops my list, even despite The Third Man. It is that good.
Anyway, another year in the bag. Congratulations, Bea.
I would love to read what you have to say about the Ozu films. It was a good year. 1950 is even better. Unfortunately, I have already reviewed many of the best ones either for the 1001 Movies club or for Noir Month. There’s still a lot left.
So this list could be considered to be the Bea-all and the end-all for 1949 😉
Har-Har.
Great list for a terrific year. Several of my very favorites are included!