.... what would it be and for what reason? Several come to mind, namely "Dances With Wolves" for the initial adversaries becoming friends ending with the friend going to the top of the mountain to exalt his friendship.

Other recomendations would be:

Lilies of the Field
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
When Harry Met Sally
Cool Hand Luke

All primarily for the dialogue, which is lacking in many of today's films. Surely, we do NOT want to have a "failure to communicate".

What films would you add and why?

Heck, there were a lot of crappy films made 50 years ago, but all anybody thinks of is films like "The Bridge on the River Kwai," or "On the Waterfront."

I don't think films are any less great today than they were in the past, just different. Acting sure is better today. While "Gone With the Wind," is a great movie, much of the acting is laughable.

But, in the interest of good sportsmanship, here's a couple that come to mind. Incidently, these are all films (except Lawrence) that I saw as a young adult, and loved.

Lawrence of Arabia (see it on the largest screen possible, preferably in a theater), as it just dies on a small tele. Once your friend gets past O'Toole's eyeshadow, he/she should love it.

The Shining. He/she will talk a big game about it being a boring old horror movie, but see if they don't squirm when the "real" bathtub lady appears.

Pulp Fiction (if they haven't seen it). Want dialogue? Few do it like Tarantino, plus it set the tone for quirky Gangsters and Ne'er-do-Wells for the past 15 years.

The Seven Samurai-Kurosawa (break into two parts, it's long). Storytelling at its finest.

To Sir with Love: Great music, great story.

HUD-A young Paul Newman, great score, Texas in Panavision, 'nuf said.

Come and See (hard to track down)-Made in about 1980, from Russia. Best war film I've ever seen.

Ok, stopping now, there are many others.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: indybob,

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.....especially if it is a male....

"Lilies of the Field" was one of the first films my parents took us to when we were about 6 years old, and because it so resonates in the 45 year-old parts of my brain, it still sends chills down my spine. The film certainly becomes more nuanced as one becomes older.

12 Angry Men
West Side Story
Dr. Strangelove

quote:

Originally posted by dbw4:

Dr. Strangelove

Oooo, good call.

Almost Famous - Something about that movie really stuck with me and the fact that it's based on a true story and directed by the man (Cameron Crowe) adds a little something extra. Great coming of age story with a fantastic soundtrack.

There really is no explaining taste. I see on here several very good movies and a few AYFKM's. Some are from the same person. Just like wine, to each his own, and never oversell the merits of something just because you liked it. The person you are recommending it to may hate it and think you the fool.

The Princess Bride....

Eraserhead

Casablanca
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Stanley Kubrick Collection

Being There, very underated IMHO

Already mentioned, but Casablanca, if you want to show someone the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The romance part is on a par with 'A Tale of Two Cities.' This has been my favorite movie since I first saw it.

Most of Tartantino's movies are good if you want to focus on dialogue, esp. Pulp Fiction.

If you want to show a movie about movies-- their impact, their beauty, some of their history-- then Cinema Paradiso is outstanding. Anybody who was weaned on movies will understand and love this one.

Aliens.

No, it won't be a formative experience, but the movie rocks.

Agree with VT2IT's comment above. Also, what do you mean "introduce" and how old is the young adult? Certain films play better for inexperienced filmviewers than others. Think of movies that reference other movies as an example.

I'd argue that the AFI lists are a real good source. Amongst great ones that haven't been mentioned, I'd put forth Singing in the Rain and Some Like it Hot.

Neil

I grew up watching the Godfather. An obvious classic

"I like to drink wine more than I used to, anyway I'm drinking more wine."
-Vito Corleone-

I've already had the pleasure of doing this with my two teens.

In no particular order:
Arthur
Princess Bride
Star Wars: A New Hope
A Shot in the Dark + Return of the Pink Panther
Dr. Strangelove
How to Murder Your Wife (my personal favorite)
Camelot (my daughter likes musicals & is really into Sweeny Todd. Too much blood for me.)
Local Hero
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Saving Private Ryan
The Diary of Anne Frank
Schindler's List
On the Beach
The Right Stuff
The Birds

The Shawshank Redemption.

A great movie about the the triumph of hope.

How about "A Soldier's Story"

a little bit of who done it in a multi-dimensional film about race relations in the Army during WW II - I particularly liked the way that the relationships (and expectations) within the group of african american soldiers was portrayed - plus the music was great

The Sandlot....

quote:

Originally posted by Rothko:
The Shawshank Redemption.

A great movie about the the triumph of hope.

I'm with you on this one. Otherwise,

Good Will Hunting or
Menace II Society

Porn!

quote:

Originally posted by Rothko:
The Shawshank Redemption.

A great movie about the the triumph of hope.

Another vote for this one. Great flick.

Fargo
My Cousin Vinny
Double Indemnity
The Big Night
And, as noted above, Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather and 12 Angry Men (the original).
Paper Clips
Animal House
Easy Money

quote:

Eraserhead

Yeah - that'll do it. Introduce him to LSD right before you put it on.