The transition from the 1940s to the 1950s marked many important changes in the film industry. The end of World War II, the growing fear of communism and the dangers of nuclear war dominated the minds of the world. In Hollywood, too, there has been unrest, albeit on a much less dramatic scale. Television began to become popular at home, and with the rise of radio, people had less reason to go to the cinema.
Cable TV companies have begun stealing actors and talent from Hollywood, opening up an extremely ominous and highly competitive window. Television may have been booming, but this new competition also seemed to have lit a fire among filmmakers around the world. The 1950s are considered a golden age of cinema, during which some of the best classics of all time were released. From world-famous masterpieces to others that have been re-evaluated in recent decades, suffice it to say that the 1950s were filled with fantastic films.
10 Godzilla Brought Attention To The Horror Of The Nuclear Holocaust
1954
After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan’s involvement in World War II ended, but it also ushered in a new era of unknown terror. The immense power and destruction of nuclear war was enough to scare any nation. Japan had felt the weight of this fiery devastation and was in shock. However, these worries about nuclear war sparked one of the most iconic creations in cinematic history.
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Godzilla , from 1954, was written and directed by Ishirō Honda. Although the titular monster has become a beloved giant destroyer, the origins the God zilla are related to Japan’s concern over a nuclear holocaust. Although later films of Godzilla had its ups and downs, the original is considered a cinematic achievement and an essential historical document.
9 On The Waterfront Features Marlon Brando In Its Prime Pre-Sponsor
1954
There are several valid candidates to determine the most outstanding actor of all time. Some lean towards Charlie Chaplin or the pioneers of silent cinema. Others consider Paul Newman or Laurence Olivier the best. The more modern crowd might lean towards Daniel Day-Lewis or Jack Nicholson. However, it’s hard to find an actor with as many impressive performances as Marlon Brando.
Best known today for his role in The GodfatherDuring the 1950s and 1960s, Brando gave audiences some of the best performances ever in cinema. One could say that his magnum opus was At the water’s edge. With a masterful performance from Brando, the story of a veteran turned defender of powerful and corrupt union bosses is one of the best films of the 1950s.
8 The Concrete Jungle Was An Engrossing Heist With Fantastic Camera Work
1950
Much like the 1980s and 1990s, the 1950s were filled with detective films. From gangster movies to street crimes, there were plenty of movies focused on the breaking of man and the law. One of the best detective films of the decade was the concrete junglereleased in 1950 and based on the WR Burnett 1949 novel of the same name.
Directed by John Huston, The jungle Asphalt focuses on a jewelry store robbery gone wrong and the ensuing chaos. With excellent performances by Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore and Marylin Monroe, and excellent direction, The Jungle of asphalt is a masterfully executed neo-noir heist film.
7 Touch Of Evil is an excellent film from director Orson Welles
1958
There hasn’t been a more groundbreaking and polarizing filmmaker than Orson Welles. Best known for Citizen KaneWelles was a very talented enigma responsible for some of the best feature films of the century. Unfortunately, much of Welles’ work was recognized as excellent only retroactively, and many of his films received mixed reception at the time. This was certainly the case for touch evil.
Released in 1958 and loosely based on the novel La insignia del mal, Touch of Evil was intentionally met with unimpressive reviews. However, by the 1970s the film became one of Welles’ best works. Considered one of the best film noir of the 1950s, Touch difficulty tells a gripping story with fantastic performances and Welles’ usual masterful direction.
6 Rebel Without A Cause spotlights the immense acting talents of the legendary James Dean
1955
When it comes to actors who lost their lives too soon, James Dean is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and tragic. Although he only has three films to his credit, all three have garnered worldwide acclaim and Dean’s performances have garnered awards and accolades. Although Dean’s three films are classics, rebellious without a cause from 1955, is the best known.
rebellious without a causeA coming-of-age story, centering on Jim Stark (played by Dean), who goes through family and social turmoil in a rebellious phase of his life. Dean’s performance is magnetic, taking over every second that passes on screen. Registered in the National Film Registry in 1990, rebellious without a cause is the crown jewel of Dean’s filmography.
5 Paths of Glory was one of director Stanley Kubrick’s first masterpieces.
1957
Before full metal jacket, the brilliant, 2001: an odyssey space or even Dr Strangelove, director Stanley Kubrick was trying to make his way in Hollywood. In 1957, when it was released paths of glorythe now-iconic director had yet to become the legend he is today.
Based on Humphrey Cobb’s novel of the same name, Senderos of Glory revolves around Colonel Dax, a commander who, after his French soldiers refuse to press a suicide bomber during World War I, decides to defend them against a court-martial. trails of gloryAn anti-war film by any standard, it is considered one of the best World War I films.
4 Rashomon was another movie from the great Akira Kurosawa that changed the film industry
1950
Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa is rightly considered one of the most influential, groundbreaking and important directors of all time. Over his five-decade career, Kurosawa has directed thirty films, many of which are considered among cinema’s finest. Kurosawa was also a pioneer of many elements seen in the film industry today. One of his best and most groundbreaking feature films was Rashomon.
Created in 1950, Rashomon chronicles the murder of a samurai and the rape of his girlfriend from four different angles. Apart of his incredible storytelling, Rashomon is, in itself, a masterfully directed film by one of the most talented artists in the industry.
3 Rear Window is director Alfred Hitchcock’s magnum opus
1954
Few things go better together than Alfred Hitchcock and suspense. By the time the 1950s rolled around, Hitchcock had been making movies for almost thirty years. Little was known at the time, but the director was about to hit his peak. In the decade that followed, Hitchcock would direct many of the best and most famous films in history. Although all of Hitchcock’s works at this time were masterpieces, many considered rear window from 1954 known as a piece of resistance.
rear window revolves around LB Jefferies, an injured writer confined to his apartment. When Jefferies begins to spy on her neighbors, she is convinced a murder has been committed. Fully furnished apartment, La ventana indiscreet is without a doubt one of the best bottle movies and a master class in building tension.
2 Sunset Boulevard is a historically significant film set in Hollywood
1950
Hollywood loves Hollywood movies. Films set under the lights of Hollywood and focused on the ins and outs of cinema are often critics’ favorites. Although some of the best Hollywood movies are more recent releases, many in the industry still believe that sunset boulevardfrom 1950, represents the best feature film centered on the cradle of American cinema.
Directed and written by Billy Wilder, Sunset Boulevard is about Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who finds himself drawn into the lavish and glittering Hollywood lifestyle by Norma Desmond, a former silent film star. Ranked 12th on AFI’s list of the 100 Greatest Films of the 20th Century, Sunset Boulevard It is one of the most critically acclaimed films.
1 12 Angry Men is a masterpiece of writing, action and storytelling
1957
When it comes to movies mostly set in one location, there’s no film more perfectly constructed, brilliantly acted, and flawlessly written than 12 angry menstarting in 1957. In the decades since its release, the film has inspired countless feature films and been played in high schools across the country.
12angry men is the story of twelve jurors assigned to a murder trial who seem certain of a verdict, only for one of them who has a different point of view. Directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the television script by Reginald Rose, 12 angry men it’s powered by some of the greatest storytelling ever seen in a film at the time and twelve titanic Oscar-worthy performances by its main cast.