I have now seen 55 films that were released in 1954. The complete list can be found here. The year is known as one of the best in film history and is very strong on the top end. Oddly enough, however, I had to dip down into the films I rated 8/10 to complete my list of favorites and there were less films than usual available for me to view. I could not find Becker’s Touche pas au Grisbi for a rewatch. If I had it likely would have made my favorites list. On to 1955!
10. Sabrina – directed by Billy Wilder
9., The Caine Mutiny – directed by Edward Dmytryk
8. Twenty-Four Eyes – directed by Keisuke Kinoshita
7. Gojira – directed by Ishirô Honda
6. French Cancan – directed by Jean Renoir
5. Hobson’s Choice – directed by David Lean
4. La Strada – directed by Federico Fellini
3. Rear Window – directed by Alfred Hitchcock
2. On the Waterfront – directed by Elia Kazan
- Seven Samurai – directed by Akira Kurosawa
Great list! On to 1955!
I’m looking forward to it. Now just to decide what to watch first!
I have been travelling for the past two weeks, so there is a bit of catching up to do. I see you finished 54, so congratulations are due.
I was surprised by your statement that you had to dip down to fill in top ten, so I checked out the list and I have to agree. Though there are some of the List movies I would have included instead of your picks It is only the five top or so on my list that I would call actually great. A little surprised Sansho did not make it and I would probably have Sabrina in my top five.
Sansho is surely one of the greatest films of its year. I don’t really ever want to see it again though so it doesn’t make my favorites.
I would have struggled between SABRINA and REAR WINDOW for the top spot.
If you had to pick 10 American films, what would they be?
Today, they would be: On the Waterfront; Rear Window; The Caine Mutiny; Sabrina; The Glenn Miller Story; The Country Girl; Young at Heart; Them!; and Dial M for Murder. Johnny Guitar and a Star Is Born should probably be included in a list of best American films of 1954 but these are my favorites I would say. What our yours?
I know Rear Window, Sabrina, and The County Girl would be at the top. I either know them well or have seen them recently and know they hold up I need to revisit On the Waterfront and The Caine Mutiny, though doubtless I would put them in the top ten. A sentimental favorite is White Christmas. I would include it, with explanation. Then, I see what you mean. A lot of the “big” pictures were splashy to compete with television, were popular in 1954, but don’t stand the test of time. Maybe there isn’t always a best ten?
For some reason, I didn’t rewatch White Christmas! Need to catch it again some time.n Have no idea how I missed it.
I really enjoyed Rosemary Clooney’s commentary on the DVD. It’s like having her in your living room.
Thanks for the tip!
One to pick up from this year if you can. Very old school Japanese and very well done.
An Inn at Osaka
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047315/
I’d say 8/10.
Good tip! I’m enjoying the later Gosha films I’m seeing from the 60’s so I’m sure that’s a find.