Greatest action film ever?

George Ellis · September 7th, 2004, 12:37 PM

I will give you a 50's, The Seven Samurai.

I also would suggest Gran Prix.

Keith Loh · September 7th, 2004, 12:59 PM

Grand Prix is certainly one of the best driving movies ever.

Dylan Couper · September 7th, 2004, 06:17 PM

Seven Samurai was somthing I considered, but while it is a fantastic film, the action isn't in the same league as others.

Re: Star Wars, agreed, sci-fi not action, but the action elements are near non-stop and certainly top most "pure" action films.

Re: Predator
One of my favorite action films, but on it's best day is no T2.

Re: Die Hard
On Keith's nomination, I watched it today. It would easily win as best realistic action film, realistic in the sense that it has no alients, Death Stars, or robotic assasins.
To quote the FBI quoting Homer Simpson:
"Dear Die Hard
You Rock!"

Jesse Bekas · September 7th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Anybody ever see "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia". While not the greatest action movie ever, it had some of the most brutal, gruesome violence of the 70's(?). Also it had an atypical structure/payoff that really worked.

sorry...maybe i shouldn't have posted that, but the violence was so "coldblooded" and real. Ahead of its time.

Marlon Trudeau · September 8th, 2004, 06:01 AM

My first thought for "greatest action film ever" was 'The Sound of Music'. Um... but anyway, I liked 'Ronin' though I'm not sure if that's considered an "action movie". I've never really understood how movies are categorized (obviously).

Keith Loh · September 8th, 2004, 09:53 AM

Jesse, "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" was directed by Sam Peckinpah who is still extremely influential for his introduction of that kind of violence into American film. The archtypical Peckinpah movie was "The Wild Bunch" which really stood put a close on the John Ford western genre. It remains one of my favourite films not just because of its violence but because of its themes of morality and amorality. Even though it is certainly action-packed, I wouldn't consider "The Wild Bunch" or "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" as strictly action pictures.

Hugh DiMauro · September 9th, 2004, 06:40 AM

Peckinpah is fabulous. I've read two bios about him and his life is fascinating.

How come nobody mentioned Peckinpah's "The Getaway" starring Steve McQueen? I mean, come on, that movie has the best and most graphic gunplay in the history of cinema.

What about the James Bond series? Hello?

Shawn Mielke · September 9th, 2004, 05:43 PM

The Getaway, yes, I will mention it with all sincerity, because it's terrific.
I'm not an action flick sort of person, but I have over the years (of my youth) gone through bouts of admiration: John Woo's Hong Kong films, Peckinpah...I go for the (flawed) character films no matter what, I suspect. "Strictly action"? I'm not sure I know about that, but:

The Getaway
Lawrence of Arabia
John Woo's The Killer
Marathon Man
Straw Dogs
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Italian Job (original)

I do like The Matrix, or at least certain trends that it has introduced or popularized into action filmmaking. Action is motion, and this film has sparked interesting perspective on motion, action, dynamic, that sort of thing. That whole speeding up to the subject, then suddenly slowing down to pass it by, then speeding away...I still think that that kind of cinematic treatment of subject is very inspiring and welcome as an addition to the cinematography vernacular (whatever the genre).

Some may find this to be a stretch in an Action thread, but I really like what the Godard/Coutard team did with "action" in their films. No one would ever classify their films as action films, probably, but their treatment of violence within the stories can be quite astonishing. Camera work and editing. Sometimes detached, sometimes psycho, sometimes enlivening, often disorienting. Their sense of "action" didn't always have a gun directly involved in the situation, though it kind of felt like it did, sometimes. And remember, no Godard/Coutard, no Tarantino.

Dave Croft · September 10th, 2004, 06:38 AM

Heres my perspective as an Englishman:

Die Hard
T2
Aliens
Matrix
Predator
Indiana Jones 1+3
James Bond films

Not that different from you guys ;)

Unfortunately, us British folk can't really make a good Action film (apart from JB of course) so it is usually left to Hollywood.

Just my 2 pence.

Hugh DiMauro · September 10th, 2004, 07:49 AM

What about British Director Peter Yates' movie "The Chase"? wasn't that action?

Jesse Bekas · September 10th, 2004, 08:15 AM

How about the original "Get Carter", that was from you Brits, wasn't it?

George Ellis · September 10th, 2004, 09:32 AM

I think I will open another avenue. I think Jackie's Shanghai Noon is a great one.

Jesse Bekas · September 10th, 2004, 09:54 AM

I'll pretend you didn't just try to add "Shanghai Noon" to the list of greatest action movies ever!...

j/k...I love most of Jackie's movies (could have lived with out "The Tuxedo", and "Shanghai Nights"). "Shanghai Noon" really did kicked a**

Keith Loh · September 10th, 2004, 10:06 AM

I don't know .. "Get Carter" is an awesome film but .. 'action'? The most action it had was Carter being driven down from the parking lot by that girl in the convertible.

Jesse Bekas · September 10th, 2004, 11:13 AM

You know, I didn't see the film ("Get Carter"), just a couple of clips, and it made it look like a bad a** shoot 'em up. I guess I should have known better after what they do with "previews" nowadays.

September 7th, 2004, 12:59 PM	#17
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Grand Prix is certainly one of the best driving movies ever. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

September 7th, 2004, 06:17 PM	#18
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Seven Samurai was somthing I considered, but while it is a fantastic film, the action isn't in the same league as others. Re: Star Wars, agreed, sci-fi not action, but the action elements are near non-stop and certainly top most "pure" action films. Re: Predator One of my favorite action films, but on it's best day is no T2. Re: Die Hard On Keith's nomination, I watched it today. It would easily win as best realistic action film, realistic in the sense that it has no alients, Death Stars, or robotic assasins. To quote the FBI quoting Homer Simpson: "Dear Die Hard You Rock!" __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

September 8th, 2004, 09:53 AM	#21
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Jesse, "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" was directed by Sam Peckinpah who is still extremely influential for his introduction of that kind of violence into American film. The archtypical Peckinpah movie was "The Wild Bunch" which really stood put a close on the John Ford western genre. It remains one of my favourite films not just because of its violence but because of its themes of morality and amorality. Even though it is certainly action-packed, I wouldn't consider "The Wild Bunch" or "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" as strictly action pictures. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

September 9th, 2004, 06:40 AM	#22
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	Action Film(s) Peckinpah is fabulous. I've read two bios about him and his life is fascinating. How come nobody mentioned Peckinpah's "The Getaway" starring Steve McQueen? I mean, come on, that movie has the best and most graphic gunplay in the history of cinema. What about the James Bond series? Hello? __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway.

September 9th, 2004, 05:43 PM	#23
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	The Getaway, yes, I will mention it with all sincerity, because it's terrific. I'm not an action flick sort of person, but I have over the years (of my youth) gone through bouts of admiration: John Woo's Hong Kong films, Peckinpah...I go for the (flawed) character films no matter what, I suspect. "Strictly action"? I'm not sure I know about that, but: The Getaway Lawrence of Arabia John Woo's The Killer Marathon Man Straw Dogs The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly The Italian Job (original) I do like The Matrix, or at least certain trends that it has introduced or popularized into action filmmaking. Action is motion, and this film has sparked interesting perspective on motion, action, dynamic, that sort of thing. That whole speeding up to the subject, then suddenly slowing down to pass it by, then speeding away...I still think that that kind of cinematic treatment of subject is very inspiring and welcome as an addition to the cinematography vernacular (whatever the genre). Some may find this to be a stretch in an Action thread, but I really like what the Godard/Coutard team did with "action" in their films. No one would ever classify their films as action films, probably, but their treatment of violence within the stories can be quite astonishing. Camera work and editing. Sometimes detached, sometimes psycho, sometimes enlivening, often disorienting. Their sense of "action" didn't always have a gun directly involved in the situation, though it kind of felt like it did, sometimes. And remember, no Godard/Coutard, no Tarantino. __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

September 7th, 2004, 12:37 PM	#16
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I will give you a 50's, The Seven Samurai. I also would suggest Gran Prix.

September 7th, 2004, 11:24 PM	#19
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	Anybody ever see "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia". While not the greatest action movie ever, it had some of the most brutal, gruesome violence of the 70's(?). Also it had an atypical structure/payoff that really worked. sorry...maybe i shouldn't have posted that, but the violence was so "coldblooded" and real. Ahead of its time.

September 8th, 2004, 06:01 AM	#20
Marlon Trudeau New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada/UK Posts: 5	My first thought for "greatest action film ever" was 'The Sound of Music'. Um... but anyway, I liked 'Ronin' though I'm not sure if that's considered an "action movie". I've never really understood how movies are categorized (obviously).

September 10th, 2004, 06:38 AM	#24
Dave Croft Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorks UK Posts: 89	Heres my perspective as an Englishman: Die Hard T2 Aliens Matrix Predator Indiana Jones 1+3 James Bond films Not that different from you guys ;) Unfortunately, us British folk can't really make a good Action film (apart from JB of course) so it is usually left to Hollywood. Just my 2 pence.

September 10th, 2004, 07:49 AM	#25
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	My English Friend... What about British Director Peter Yates' movie "The Chase"? wasn't that action? __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway.

September 10th, 2004, 08:15 AM	#26
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	How about the original "Get Carter", that was from you Brits, wasn't it?

September 10th, 2004, 09:32 AM	#27
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I think I will open another avenue. I think Jackie's Shanghai Noon is a great one.

September 10th, 2004, 09:54 AM	#28
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	I'll pretend you didn't just try to add "Shanghai Noon" to the list of greatest action movies ever!... j/k...I love most of Jackie's movies (could have lived with out "The Tuxedo", and "Shanghai Nights"). "Shanghai Noon" really did kicked a**

September 10th, 2004, 10:06 AM	#29
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I don't know .. "Get Carter" is an awesome film but .. 'action'? The most action it had was Carter being driven down from the parking lot by that girl in the convertible. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

September 10th, 2004, 11:13 AM	#30
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	You know, I didn't see the film ("Get Carter"), just a couple of clips, and it made it look like a bad a** shoot 'em up. I guess I should have known better after what they do with "previews" nowadays.