re: Greatest Movie of All Time?

You seem like you are trying to figure out that formula that Robin Williams had ripped out of his textbooks.

Measurable greatness.

I heard Alan Menken speak at a theatre seminar a couple of years ago. While he is of course a genius, he still can't figure out why Newsies bombed.

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Because if something like Casablanca can be great, or To Kill a Mockingbird, or the Mona Lisa, or any other old piece of art, then art has some sort of consistency. If we know that Casablanca is better than Kung Pow (sorry OML, great movie though), then Why? There must be something relevant, even measurable.

Whether or not we can put that into language is the tough part.


If we don't try to define greatness then we can never hope to achieve it.

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Well spoken and I agree. There are certainly some measurable aspects of movies that define greatness. You know these of course but off the top of my head:
1. Plot - Is the story compelling and consistent within itself at least even if it's fiction, etc. What makes a story compelling is to some extent a matter of taste and genre but from my perspective epic stories that have great insight and implications relative to the human condition are among the most compelling.
2. Directing - Is the directing exceptional with interesting camera focus engaging the actors with each other and their environment with synergy that enhances and drives the story forward.
3. Acting - Is the performance of the actors so believable that you feel emotionally engaged.
4. Production - Is the overall production, music, lighting, cinematography, special effects, etc. appropriate, compelling and so seamless that you can't imagine the movie without those aspects.

All things considered, I have to include epics like Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Gone With the Wind, etc. as among the greatest movies and if I had to pick one it would be Ben Hur regardless of religious persuasion.