But what’s the difference between a great movie and one that continues to rock our worlds a decade or more after its release? The answer isn’t necessarily awards or big box-office revenue. “A classic movie is the combination of the right people getting together to make it and the experience of us watching it for the first time and it leaving a lasting impression,” says Mankiewicz (the grandson of the late Hollywood screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, the subject of the 2020 movie Mank). “When that happens, it’s a miracle.” We don’t yet know which 2021 movies will stand the test of time—maybe No Time to Die or West Side Story?—but we can salute some favorites from 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011.
The Best Movies of 1971
Dirty Harry: “Go ahead. Make my day.” —Harry Callahan in Sudden Impact (1983) When a deranged killer terrorizes San Francisco, Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” Callahan dispenses with the letter of the law and rewrites the rules his way. Cut to heart-pounding, wall-to-wall action sequences, booming gunfire and bad guys getting their comeuppances. “Now you know why they call me ‘Dirty Harry,’” Eastwood’s character growls, “I get every dirty job that comes along.” The loose-cannon police detective character determined to collar the sleazy criminal spawned countless imitators, from Kojak, Baretta and Starsky & Hutch on the small screen to Bullitt, Lethal Weapon and Death Wish on the big one. And every hero who utters a wry, dry catchphrase owes a debt to Harry’s cool-cat shorthand, like when the character taunts a cornered criminal who thinks about reaching for his shotgun—while Harry’s pointing his (possibly empty) .44 Magnum at his head: “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” Says Mankiewicz, “Right now, the movie would ring differently. But it’s the standard-bearer of the American gritty, violent crime drama, where we’re rooting for the renegade cop.” Did You Know? Burt Lancaster, SteveMcQueen and Paul Newman all were approached to play Dirty Harry, and all said no. Newman, however, recommended Clint Eastwood, who had just spent eight seasons starring as Rowdy Yates on the TV western Rawhide. Though the grizzled actor would go on to even more acclaim as an actor, as well as a director—and would reprise Dirty Harry four more times—his original remains a classic. “Clint is Dirty Harry,” Mankiewicz adds. “It’s his defining role.” Other notable films from 1971: The French Connection, A Clockwork Orange, The Last Picture Show, Harold and Maude, Klute, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
The Best Movies of 1981
Raiders of the Lost Ark: “Why did it have to be snakes? I hate snakes!” —Indiana Jones All friends GeorgeLucas and StevenSpielberg wanted to do was pay homage to the Saturday afternoon serials they grew up watching. The result was the biggest moneymaker of the year and “the best adventure movie ever made,” Mankiewicz says. Indeed, we’re right by Indiana Jones’ side as the swashbuckling archaeologist—played by HarrisonFord, of course—attempts to find the religious relic the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis get to it. KarenAllen, now 69, who played ex–love interest and sparring partner Marion Ravenwood, still marvels about the movie’s lead character. “Indy is flawed and rarely in the right place at the right time, and the romance is hard-won,” she says. “It’s really innovative.” Characters such as Robert Langdon (The Da Vinci Code) and Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) have since put their lives on the line to solve ancient mysteries, and Captain America fought the same sort of Axis enemies in Captain America: The First Avenger. But Allen—who can’t confirm whether or not she’ll be in the upcoming fifth installment—says the legacy of the film, set in the 1930s, lies in its timelessness. “It’s been passed with great affection from one generation to another,” she says. “I still see kids dressed up as Indiana Jones and Marion, which is really saying something for a film made 40 years ago!” Did You Know? Many of the memorable sets—including the Raven Saloon, the Catacombs and the Well of Souls—were constructed from scratch at the Elstree Studios outside of London. Says Allen, “I was so enchanted by the sets because the attention to detail was extraordinary. They brought the story to life for me.” 10,000+: The number of non-venomous snakes used in the Well of Souls scene, where the Ark was discovered Other notable films from 1981: On Golden Pond, Arthur, Superman II, Chariots of Fire, The Cannonball Run, Reds
The Best Movies of 1991
The Silence of the Lambs: “I do wish we could chat longer, but…I’m having an old friend for dinner.” —Hannibal Lecter Raise a glass of nice Chianti to this spellbinding masterpiece. A twisted buddy movie, this story of fresh-faced FBI trainee Clarice Starling (JodieFoster) using the help of the brilliantly warped inmate Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter (AnthonyHopkins) to catch a serial killer known as “Buffalo Bill” (TedLevine) was a rare critical and commercial hit—and won the top five Oscars, including Best Picture. That’s unusual for any movie, let alone a macabre one. “I remember gripping the armrests [at that first screening] because it was so intense!” says BrookeSmith, 53, who played feisty kidnapping victim Catherine Martin (who “put[s] the lotion in the basket”). “I got sucked in like everyone else.” She says the psychological thriller made its mark because “the hero is a woman in a role that’s usually played by a man. And she saves another woman.” Did You Know? Hopkins has said he channeled TrumanCapote, KatharineHepburn and HAL 9000, the computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, to get into the mind of the charming but deadly Lecter. It was his idea to wear white in some of the most terrifying scenes. His rationale: to prey upon people’s fears of lab-coat-wearing dentists and doctors. 24 minutes, 54 seconds: That’s how long Anthony Hopkins is on the screen. It’s the second shortest performance to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. (DavidNiven’s winning role as Major Angus Pollock in 1958’s Separate Tables was 23 minutes, 39 seconds.) Other notable films from 1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Thelma & Louise, Boyz n The Hood, JFK, Cape Fear, Beauty and the Beast
The Best Movies of 2001
Legally Blonde: “Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed.” —Elle Woods Yes, she loves manicures, soap operas, parties and shopping. But beneath all the pink and circumstance, spunky Elle Woods (ReeseWitherspoon in a Golden Globe–nominated role) defied stereotypes as she succeeded at Harvard Law School—and helped win a major court case. “No matter how many people doubt Elle or try to break her down, she keeps pushing forward toward her dreams,” says AliLarter, 45, who co-starred as Brooke Windham, the client on trial for murder. And while its comedy still delights—and Elle’s “bend-and-snap” move spawned its own musical number in the 2007 Broadway adaptation—its message is what resonates. “Now more than ever,” Larter says, “we need to remember what makes us unique. And maybe wear a bit more pink!” Did You Know? The film was originally supposed to end on the court steps, with Elle and LukeWilson’s law clerk character sharing a grand kiss. But the writers changed their because Elle’s incredible journey didn’t hinge on a romance. Instead, in a flash-forward, Elle gives her triumphant valedictorian speech on graduation day. P.S. The third installment, written by MindyKaling, is due in 2022. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: “You’re a wizard, Harry.” —Hagrid J.K. Rowling’s bestselling 1997 book about a boy wizard and his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had already sold more than 11 million copies in the U.S. when it was adapted for the big screen. Unknown 11-year-old DanielRadcliffe was cast in the title role. He and the others playing Hogwarts students were surrounded by acting heavyweights such as MaggieSmith, FionaShaw, AlanRickman, RobbieColtrane and RichardHarris, who as Dumbledore famously said, “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” The formula was, well, magic, and seven more smash films followed through 2011. “For a film series to build [that kind of success] on the enormous popularity of the novels is crazy,” Mankiewicz says, noting the influence on the subsequent Twilight and Hunger Games sagas. “It helped that we got to see the young actors through the end. Their growth was stunning.” Did You Know? Look closely at Harry’s goodbye to Hagrid at the train station at the film’s end—it’s the only scene in the whole series in which Harry has bright green eyes (that were said to resemble those of his late mother, Lily). That’s because that scene was shot first, before the contact lenses in Radcliffe’s blue eyes proved so painful that he had to take them out. He went au naturel the rest of the way. Other notable films from 2001: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Shrek, A Beautiful Mind, Moulin Rouge!, Bridget Jones’s Diary
The Best Movies of 2011
Bridesmaids: “Why can’t you just be happy for me and then go home and talk behind my back later like a normal person!?” —Lillian to Annie Forget walking down the aisle. Moviegoers were rolling in the aisles thanks to this raucous comedy revolving around a flailing cake-maker, Annie (KristenWiig, who also co-wrote the screenplay), and her attempts to help plan the wedding of her best friend, Lillian (MayaRudolph). Much hilarity—never eat gray lamb before visiting a fancy bridal shop!—ensued. So did a $288 million box-office gross and similarly themed hits like Girls Trip and Bad Moms. “Three-dimensional roles for women in comedy were very few and far between,” director PaulFeig, 58, recalls. “So the fact that Bridesmaids was able to remind Hollywood that there is a vast audience for funny movies starring women was groundbreaking—even in 2011. And on top of that, it’s just a sweet film with a stellar cast.” Did You Know? Feig attended a cast table read for an early version of the script back in 2006. “Even then it was hilarious and emotional,” he recalls. None of the actresses who read the bridesmaids’ roles ended up being in the final version—except for Wiig and a future breakout movie star. “MelissaMcCarthy read for a different role, and it was before I was familiar with her work,” says Feig. She’d go on to play the no-nonsense sister of the groom and land a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Moneyball: “You get on base, we win. You don’t, we lose. And I hate losing, I hate it. I hate losing more than I even wanna win.” —Billy Beane This was not your grandfather’s baseball movie. For one thing, most of the drama is set off the field. That’s where BillyBeane (BradPitt), the then-real-life general manager of the Oakland A’s, and his assistant (JonahHill) crunch numbers to figure out how to produce maximum performance on a minimum budget during the 2002 season. They ultimately start knocking it out of the park by realizing that their ballplayers don’t have to. “You’re learning and celebrating math!” Mankiewicz says. He singles out Pitt’s performance and a “thoroughly entertaining” Oscar-nominated screenplay from StevenZaillian and AaronSorkin. “They made it a great sports movie and a great business movie.” Did You Know? The movie, based on MichaelLewis’ bestseller, has an authentic vibe for a reason: Director BennettMiller hired several former ballplayers-turned-actors for bit parts in the film. StephenBishop, who portrayed veteran slugger DavidJustice, played in the minor leagues in the 1990s. The crusty Oakland A’s scouts bantering with Pitt in (often contentious) meetings were major league pros. 8: That’s how many MLB ballfields were “faked” in Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium through clever set designs and camera angles. Fenway Park was the only other ballpark filming location. Other notable films from 2011: The Help, The Descendants, The Artist, Contagion, Hugo, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
