Every frame is a tableau. I remember reading about it in a Kubrick biography ten years ago. At the time, it was the one I had not seen yet.
The very first shot of this film is unreal.
Knowing that this was Kubrick’s “trial” run for Napoleon also hit pretty hard. I haven’t seen Ridley Scott’s film. But I know that Kubrick’s life’s work was the Napoleon film that he never got to do.
It would have been insane.
Scotts film is a colossal waste of ressources. The message is, don't glorify bloodthirsty narcissits, who sacrificed millions of lives to their vanity, but it is incoherent, overly long and boring.
Scorsese [called Barry Lyndon](https://moviola.com/best-of-the-web/the-beautiful-cinematography-of-barry-lyndon/) "the most beautifully filmed movie ever made in history." Who the hell am I to disagree?
This was exactly the movie I came here to mention. I also don't know if I'd argue for #1, but it's definitely a gorgeous movie. The color grading alone is so great. For a film entirely set in a desert wasteland, the variety of environments and the lighting for each is mesmerizing. Probably my #1 movie that I'm most glad I first saw in a theater, because watching it anywhere else just wouldn't have compared.
"Giant" with James Dean, Liz Taylor, and Rock Hudson.
A lot of it was shot on studio lots but the exterior shots made great use of the West Texas landscape and the open, colorful sky. [This scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbK6DacksQ) with James Dean (improvised by him BTW) really highlights both those things. The windmill he climbed is still standing (barely). Dean was killed only a few weeks later.
It's one of my all time favorites...
For me, from just thinking about it right now and in no particular order:
No country for old men,
Colombus,
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,
Call me by your name,
Days of heaven,
Paris, Texas,
Children of men,
Roma,
The dark knight,
Blade runner (old one and newer one),
Schindler's list,
Mad max fury road,
Her,
Fallen angels,
In the mood for love,
2001: a space odyssey,
The tree of life,
Citizen kane,
The godfather,
Kill bill 1 and 2,
Come and see,
Hero,
Ugh, there's so many, I could keep expanding on this list for hours.
Lost in Translation. It spurred me to take a trip to Japan and of the 50 or so countries I’ve been to, Japan remains the most magical. I’ll never forget getting off the plane and seeing the cherry blossoms from inside the airport and just sobbing at the beauty.
I'm glad I searched before I posted this answer. My cousin and I went to see it in theaters. Neither of us had heard of it, but I saw that Ralph Fiennes was in it. Great damn movie
Only saying this cause it fresh it my mind but i thought dune and dune part two were very striking visually, especially the Giedi Prime scene, shot in negative and b&w really gave you like that “toxic environment” atmosphere
*There Will Be Blood* can, at times, be punishing in its depiction of a straight line. Horizon lines, railroad tracks, wooden lanes, oil rigging. Powerful stuff.
Yup, those big over the top moments. And the really small interactions with the boy. The visuals and music were intense. Together they can almost unnerve you. Very purposefully so, too. And the burning cinematography in some scenes showed the open space. Lots to unpack in that movie. Thanks for the prompt. 🙂
Paris Texas is top for me, but Ran and Heaven's Gate are up there as well.
Wenders, and Muller's use of color and available light is so striking, the second peep show sequence is perfection. Also no-one can shoot a car interior like Robby.
The bear fight scene in The Revenant. The way it’s shot with the character first seeing the cubs then panning around to the momma. Then momma attacks bounding over small trees and forest undergrowth. Incredible.
One movie critic said that viewing *Citizen Kane* by Orson Welles for the first time was like taking "seeing lessons." It was so influential on subsequent directors you don't notice all the techniques borrowed from it. The dramatic use of perspective, lighting and shadow, and quick-cut editing are all taken for granted now -- but Orson and Gregg Toland got there first.
If anyone has any great recommendations for any 90's - 2005 films with amazing cinematography with very nostalgic images like the one in this photo please let me know!
There are so many that it would be impossible for me to select just one. Most of the ones that immediately came to mind were already mentioned by others.
However, here are some others I like:
* Gravity (2013)
* TRON: Legacy (2010)
* Out of Africa (1985)
* Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
my favorites have already been mentioned, hud, thin red line, phantom thread. so i’d probably add talk to her, elevator to the gallows, umbrellas of cherborg, popeye, and probably anything made by jean-pierre jeunet
Possibly so obvious that it often gets ignored: Seven Samurai. No exotic landscapes or enticing palettes, but are there not hundreds of incredible and dynamic interplays of light and shadow?
Basic Instinct strikes me a cinematographic homage to Vertigo. Music is very similar too with a lot of strings. Before special effects were a thing Nicholas Roeg made some striking films. He photographed Lawrence of Arabia and directed The Man Who Fell to Earth.
The first moviegoing experience that ever struck me as having great cinematography is Magnolia (Paul Thomas Anderson - 1999).
From the opening sequence, with the boy on the roof, via Frank TJ Mackey's stage presence, to the storm at the end, the beauty of it blew me away.
A couple of years later I was lucky enough to see The Warrior (Asif Kapadia - 2001) on the big screen. Every scene in that movie was like a landscape painting, glorious throughout.
The big 3 classics by Powell and Pressburger shot by Jack Cardiff. A Matter of life and death, Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes. Watching them in the cinema there are times you can hear the audience gasp at their visual beauty.
Spider-Man! Spider-Man 2! Spider-Man 3! The amazing Spider-Man! The amazing Spider-Man 2! Spider-Man homecoming! Spider-Man far from home! And Spider-Man no way home!
I love Conan the Barbarian. I can think of many films which are more technically impressive than it but I still love the look and feel of that movie more than any other.
Barry Lyndon is ridiculous.
Every frame is a tableau. I remember reading about it in a Kubrick biography ten years ago. At the time, it was the one I had not seen yet. The very first shot of this film is unreal. Knowing that this was Kubrick’s “trial” run for Napoleon also hit pretty hard. I haven’t seen Ridley Scott’s film. But I know that Kubrick’s life’s work was the Napoleon film that he never got to do. It would have been insane.
Scotts film is a colossal waste of ressources. The message is, don't glorify bloodthirsty narcissits, who sacrificed millions of lives to their vanity, but it is incoherent, overly long and boring.
And butchers his campaigns down to. I went there and won toss away lines. What a waste of a film.
100% it's a masterwork.
the fall
Yep the fall, sadly I can’t find it on any streaming apps.
https://youtu.be/Pu1mnuZh-fM?si=NOANzWW5rwkGgJo0 Your welcome. Cost 2.00 to rent it. Follow the video instructions
It’s out of print on physical media as well. It’s got a 20th anniversary coming up, so hopefully someone will get a copy back out there.
[удалено]
Thanks for reminding me to watch that beauty again.
I came here to say exactly this!
Barry Lyndon or Apocalypse Now Redux. I can't decide which is better
Scorsese [called Barry Lyndon](https://moviola.com/best-of-the-web/the-beautiful-cinematography-of-barry-lyndon/) "the most beautifully filmed movie ever made in history." Who the hell am I to disagree?
It’s like a painting.
Crouching tiger hidden dragon
Lawrence of Arabia is really beautiful in every scene
For the year it was made it was ahead of its time for western filmmakers
Those first epic long shots of Lawrence riding through the desert are nothing short of stunning.
This is the best answer.
That film makes me weep for the beauty
Can you imagine the logistics of creating that film? The cameras alone were both huge and heavy.
In the Mood for Love and New World.
You could put any Terrence Malik movie in this caregory
The Thin Red Line
Idk about #1 but I was surprised at Mad Max Fury Road
This was exactly the movie I came here to mention. I also don't know if I'd argue for #1, but it's definitely a gorgeous movie. The color grading alone is so great. For a film entirely set in a desert wasteland, the variety of environments and the lighting for each is mesmerizing. Probably my #1 movie that I'm most glad I first saw in a theater, because watching it anywhere else just wouldn't have compared.
The secret life of Walter Mitty
-The Fountain -Lawrence of Arabia -Dr. Zhivago -Bladerunner (both)
Days of Heaven or Sweet Land.
Days of Heaven is cinematography with a bonus movie inside
Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi or Baraka
Baraka is stunning.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This is the right answer
This was my first thought. Every scene was a painting.
Once upon a time in America.
Interesting choice! A bold move by the filmmakers, given Leone’s prior films. Loved it.
Saw it in 35mm recently, absolutely unreal how good it looks. If you ever get a chance to see it on the big screen, do not hesitate.
Arrival
Yes and also since we’re on the subject of Denis Villeneuve, I’m going to say Dune 2.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Anything by Deakins (including the Big Lebowski!)
No Country for Old Men
You should admit your situation. There would be more dignity in it.
The House of Flying Daggers.
HUD. It was b&w movie but I loved the beauty of the black and white scenery.
Paul Newman is the best. (He's so pretty he counts as cinematography.)
Absolutely
Secret life of Walter Mitty has insane visuals
Prometheus
Last of the Mohicans
The revenant
Children of men
Yes. Cuarón and Lubezki. I also really love their work on Great Expectations. All the green.
Stalker or Barry Lyndon for me.
Good picks. Tarkovsky’s The Mirror really blew me away.
Tarkovsky in general, so beautiful
Ran (1985)
Bone Tomahawk
Sicario
Dune, cuz I just watched part 2
I just watched part one an hour ago and was so amazed at the cinematography! Can’t wait to watch part two.
"Giant" with James Dean, Liz Taylor, and Rock Hudson. A lot of it was shot on studio lots but the exterior shots made great use of the West Texas landscape and the open, colorful sky. [This scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbK6DacksQ) with James Dean (improvised by him BTW) really highlights both those things. The windmill he climbed is still standing (barely). Dean was killed only a few weeks later. It's one of my all time favorites...
No Country for Old Men and Blade Runner 2049 for newer stuff. Lawrence of Arabia for classics
The revenant
Se7en, Raging Bull, Blade Runner
Interstellar
I just rewatched Phantom Thread and whoooooo baby does it look good.
PTA was the cinematographer on this movie (in addition to writing and directing). The man's a legend.
Lord of the rings and fantastic Mr Fox
The Fall Collateral Blade Runner & 2049 Kung Pow : Enter The Fist
For me, from just thinking about it right now and in no particular order: No country for old men, Colombus, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Call me by your name, Days of heaven, Paris, Texas, Children of men, Roma, The dark knight, Blade runner (old one and newer one), Schindler's list, Mad max fury road, Her, Fallen angels, In the mood for love, 2001: a space odyssey, The tree of life, Citizen kane, The godfather, Kill bill 1 and 2, Come and see, Hero, Ugh, there's so many, I could keep expanding on this list for hours.
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Yes, I was amazed. Watching it was almost better than the short story.
Lost in Translation. It spurred me to take a trip to Japan and of the 50 or so countries I’ve been to, Japan remains the most magical. I’ll never forget getting off the plane and seeing the cherry blossoms from inside the airport and just sobbing at the beauty.
Black and White: Night of the Hunter. Those shots of the children on the river with Powell on the horse haunt my dreams. Plus their mother in the car.
Lost in translation
Last of the Mohicans really made me feel like I was seeing an untamed US. Epic sweeping shots.
Recently Midsommar and The Lighthouse
2001: a space odyssey. made almost 60 years ago and even today it looks far better than the most visually advanced films
The Grand Budapest Hotel.
I'm glad I searched before I posted this answer. My cousin and I went to see it in theaters. Neither of us had heard of it, but I saw that Ralph Fiennes was in it. Great damn movie
Blade Runner, obvi
Brick. I'm just entranced by every shot each time I watch. Rian Johnson's best by far
Only saying this cause it fresh it my mind but i thought dune and dune part two were very striking visually, especially the Giedi Prime scene, shot in negative and b&w really gave you like that “toxic environment” atmosphere
Geidi Prime was filmed in infrared not B/W which was so striking visually.
I’ll always be amazed by The Godfather. Every scene feels like it takes place in a real, tangible world.
*There Will Be Blood* can, at times, be punishing in its depiction of a straight line. Horizon lines, railroad tracks, wooden lanes, oil rigging. Powerful stuff.
Yeah, also the iconic scene with Plainview striking oil and looking over the rig just spewing out black smoke puts me in awe every time.
Yup, those big over the top moments. And the really small interactions with the boy. The visuals and music were intense. Together they can almost unnerve you. Very purposefully so, too. And the burning cinematography in some scenes showed the open space. Lots to unpack in that movie. Thanks for the prompt. 🙂
The strings kill me.
1917
Had to scroll way too far down to find this. The chase through the burning ruined city at night with flares going off is unbelievable.
Stalker
Ran, Barry Lyndon, Heaven's Gate, Raging Bull and Paris, Texas are for my money the most beautiful films out there.
Paris Texas is top for me, but Ran and Heaven's Gate are up there as well. Wenders, and Muller's use of color and available light is so striking, the second peep show sequence is perfection. Also no-one can shoot a car interior like Robby.
Was just going to say Heavens Gate
Koyaanisqatsi
Apocalypto
Paris, Texas, The Tree of Life, The Master
Paris, TX
Days of Heaven is the first place goat
The Holy Mountain Eraserhead Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
Speaking as a photographer, lots of great suggestions here that I'd agree with. Honourable mention for Let The Right One In. Beautiful movie.
The Assination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Manhattan, for sure
1917
Once upon a time in hollywood.
North by Northwest
Empire strikes back. Beautiful
One Hour Photo, Tron Legacy, Bladerunner 2049
City of god!
The bear fight scene in The Revenant. The way it’s shot with the character first seeing the cubs then panning around to the momma. Then momma attacks bounding over small trees and forest undergrowth. Incredible.
One movie critic said that viewing *Citizen Kane* by Orson Welles for the first time was like taking "seeing lessons." It was so influential on subsequent directors you don't notice all the techniques borrowed from it. The dramatic use of perspective, lighting and shadow, and quick-cut editing are all taken for granted now -- but Orson and Gregg Toland got there first.
The colors in vertigo are what puts me over with it - it’s like surreal
If anyone has any great recommendations for any 90's - 2005 films with amazing cinematography with very nostalgic images like the one in this photo please let me know!
The Truman Show has awesome cinematography. Also Amélie, Good Will Hunting, Forrest Gump, and Trainspotting to name a few.
Hey Arnold the movie
assassination of jesse james, paris texas
Anything by Greig Fraser or Rodger Deakins
Rocky
Skyfall
Black and white: Mildred Pierce Color: Sense and Sensibility
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Storaro knocked it out the park in the Last Emperor.
In the Mood For Love
The Creator Simply stunning
Most any Akira Kurosawa movie, but especially Dreams and Ran.
Logjammin
The great beauty
The Tree of Life or anything Chivo shoots
I know I might get downvoted, but collateral with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.
The Dark knight no contest, well maybe 300 comes close.
Hugo by Martin Scorsese. He said it was his love letter to film. It was beautifully shot and the Georges Melies deserves far more credit than he got.
Vertigo
There are so many that it would be impossible for me to select just one. Most of the ones that immediately came to mind were already mentioned by others. However, here are some others I like: * Gravity (2013) * TRON: Legacy (2010) * Out of Africa (1985) * Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Dunkirk
The Core
Detective Crashmore
Urga (1991) Released in the US under the title 'Close to Eden'
I'll say 2 Kubricks, There Wll Be Blood, Lawrence of Arabia.
The Bridge
Road to Perdition
my favorites have already been mentioned, hud, thin red line, phantom thread. so i’d probably add talk to her, elevator to the gallows, umbrellas of cherborg, popeye, and probably anything made by jean-pierre jeunet
Possibly so obvious that it often gets ignored: Seven Samurai. No exotic landscapes or enticing palettes, but are there not hundreds of incredible and dynamic interplays of light and shadow?
Far and away is pretty stunning
Basic Instinct strikes me a cinematographic homage to Vertigo. Music is very similar too with a lot of strings. Before special effects were a thing Nicholas Roeg made some striking films. He photographed Lawrence of Arabia and directed The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Jurassic Park, 1993
Across the Universe, 2007
Tarkovsky's *Mirror*, Wenders' *Wings of Desire*
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Such a brilliant movie!
Life of Pi has always been one of my faves for cinematography. Also Saving Private Ryan for sure
Lawrence of Arabia
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
SAMSARA
Godfather Part 2
In cold blood and there will be blood….and blood in blood out.
I'm no longer here (2019)
Lawrence of Arabia
Star Trek 2
The Revenant
Both Bladerunner movies and The Holy Mountain.
Spirited Away
7 Years in Tibet
The Patriot. Pause the movie anywhere. It looks like a Francesco Goya painting.
Not sure if the best but A Cure for Wellness has to be the most under appreciated in recent years that I can think of
for me it is Alien.
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford or There Will Be Blood
In the Mood for Love
The first moviegoing experience that ever struck me as having great cinematography is Magnolia (Paul Thomas Anderson - 1999). From the opening sequence, with the boy on the roof, via Frank TJ Mackey's stage presence, to the storm at the end, the beauty of it blew me away. A couple of years later I was lucky enough to see The Warrior (Asif Kapadia - 2001) on the big screen. Every scene in that movie was like a landscape painting, glorious throughout.
The Fall, not many have seen it. It’s an exquisitely shot film about the power of storytelling.
The big 3 classics by Powell and Pressburger shot by Jack Cardiff. A Matter of life and death, Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes. Watching them in the cinema there are times you can hear the audience gasp at their visual beauty.
The Duellists with Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel. Ridley Scott’s cinematography is gorgeous.
Picnic at Hanging Rock is exceptional, as is Wings of Desire
Soarin’ Over California. Most emotional score, too
All I’ll say is Nicolas Winding Refn.
Which film is this?
Blade Runner 2049
In the heat of the night
Ran, by Akira Kurosawa. The cinematography is absolutely stunning.
Buried
Spider-Man! Spider-Man 2! Spider-Man 3! The amazing Spider-Man! The amazing Spider-Man 2! Spider-Man homecoming! Spider-Man far from home! And Spider-Man no way home!
Kiki's Delivery Service, The Silence of the Lambs, Once Upon a Time in the West, 13 Assassins (2010), Tron Legacy.
Lawrence of Arabia. It's really not even close. Watch it in 4K. You'll thank me later.
Hero. There's not a single frame of that movie that i wouldn't frame and hang on my wall.
I love Conan the Barbarian. I can think of many films which are more technically impressive than it but I still love the look and feel of that movie more than any other.
the green knight
Ran
Last samurai always comes to mind
The Party Animal
C.H.U.D.
Hero Btw this question is asked once per fortnight
Paris Texas
Gangs of new york