Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Director: Stephen Spielberg
Writers: George Lucas, Philip Kaufman, Lawrence Kasdan
Main Actor: Harrison Ford
I first saw this movie when I was quite young and I really enjoyed it because it was just a fun movie in general, but as I aged it grew on me more and more and became better and better. This movie is basically an old comic book adventure brought to life, and from what I have heard that was the intent. You get caught in this great (maybe slightly outlandish) tale of an archeologist who gets mixed up in adventure after adventure searching after one dangerously booby trapped artifact after another. He almost gets run over by a boulder, buried alive, blown up, bitten by many snakes, shot, and run over by a truck among other things. He even takes on the Nazis. Who could not not like it? Harrison Ford (Indiana) makes this movie and becomes immortalized in this role after his little space movie. Add in the wonderfully done musical score by John Williams this movie become complete and is always wonderfully fun movie.
Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade (1989)
Director: Stephen Spielberg
Writers: George Lucas, Menno Meyjes, Jeffrey Boam
Main Actor: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery
The third installment of the Indiana Jones series (I will not even mention the second one who knows what was going on) which is almost as good as the first. What makes this movie is the chemistry between the two main actors of this movie Harrison Ford (Indiana) and Sean Connery (Indiana's Father). You could almost wonder if they were actually father and son in real life but when you really think about it who else could play Indiana Jones' father but James Bond himself. There is more humor in this installment due to the witty banter between the father and son. Outside of that it has just as many booby traps and other close calls to keep the movie viewer happy. Although not as good as the first (maybe a little to much humor in parts) it is well deserving of this list and rent it if you have not seen it.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Director: David Lean
Writers: T.E. Lawrence, Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson
Main Actors: Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins
This movie is just amazing. There are no other words to describe it. It takes you on a true adventure into a world that few will ever see. As you begin watching, it envelopes you into stunning visuals of the desert and perfectly composed music This is a movie made for the big screen and probably should only be seen on one which is not always possible but a dvd player is close. The movie is about the famous British army officer who is helps the Arabs organize and fight the Ottoman Empire during World War I. This movie captures both the idealized and reality(not always good) of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) played by Peter O'Toole in his first movie. He is joined by many great actors including Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness (shows up in just about every one of David Lean's movies), Anthony Quinn, and Jack Hawkins among others who wonderfully round out the cast. Historically speaking it is fairly close to the truth although some of the events are out of order and there is some embelishing because they are partially based on the books that Lawrence wrote after the war. This movie won just about every Oscar of 1962 except for best actor, and it rightfully deserved them. Although it is one of the greatest movies made of all time, the first part of the movie before the overature is far more enjoyable than the second half mostly because the second half involves more of Lawrence's personal problems with less gallantry and visual bliss. Either you will love it, or you will hate it because that is the way people I have talked to precieve the movie, but you should see it no matter what the cost. The newly released DVD is amazing.
The Great Escape (1963)
Director: John Sturges
Writers: Paul Brickhill, James Clavell, W.R. Burnett
Main Actors: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough
What can I say? This is just a fun movie. It has everything an adventure movie should posses: action, suspense, humor and heroes to fill a great storyline. It can also be kind of depressing but what can you expect from a prisoner of war movie. It is set prior to the Normandy invasion of WW2 in a Nazi prisoner of war camp that holds Allied pilots. The title should explain pretty well what the movie is about and really that is all I should probably say about it so not give away the plot. After you watch this movie rent Chicken Run because you will get a few more of the jokes. Also if you liked this movie I highly recommend Stalag 17 which is just as good but on a smaller scale done by one of my favorite directors Billy Wilder.
The Three Musketeers (1973)
Director: Richard Lester
Writers: Alexandre Dumas pe're, George MacDonald Fraser
Main Actor: Michael York, Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Faye Dunaway, Charlton Heston
This is the by far the best version of Andre Dumas' great adventure of the Three Musketeers. This movie is followed up by a sequel the Four Musketeers. The sword fights are wonderfully choreographed and are like no other sword fights you will ever see. What really sets this movie appart is the humor in which everything is done. Slapstick comedy abounds and there is bumbling wit that rises from the dialog.
Secondly the casting was excellent to say the least. This is the role which I identify Michael York with. He plays the lead role of D'Artagnan. Also Charlton Heston plays the calculating and evil Cardinal Richelieu instead of being the good guy for once. No spreading the Red Sea in this role There really is not a bad actor in this movie. Watch this movie and you will not be disappointed.
Email Me Personally