Robert Zemeckis names his four favourite movies
After rising to fame with Used Cars and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Robert Zemeckis went on to define a generation of filmmaking with his nostalgic and ingeniously entertaining classics such as Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and Death Becomes Her. The director encapsulates the lost era of warming cinema that acts as soup for the soul, with an infectious joy that leaves you feeling as though everything is right with the world once more. He was working alongside Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola during the golden era of Hollywood, which no doubt influenced his style, and when asked about his all-time favorite movies, the director showed no hesitation in reeling off four films in particular.
There are a few repeat offenders that creep their way to the top of the charts whenever anyone is asked about their favourite films, and Zemeckis’ ranking is no different. His number one film was…drumroll please, The Godfather.
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 crime classic has maintained its title as one of the greatest films ever made, with a frankly absurd cultural impact. The sweeping epic is a seamless story about family, loyalty and revenge with a monumental cast and beautiful score by the great Nino Rota. Zemeckis’ inclusion of the film comes as no surprise, as it continues to capture the attention of old and new fans.
The next pick from Zemeckis was Doctor Strangelove or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1964. This choice surprised me, as often the most celebrated films from the auteur’s collection are The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey, with Barry Lyndon sometimes being sprinkled into the mix if someone is trying to shake things up a bit.
The movie follows a group of politicians and war generals who try to stop a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union triggered by the insane Jack D Ripper. Given the style of its humour, it almost feels similar to Barry Lyndon, feeling like a slow-burn screwball comedy. It showcases the full spectrum of Kubrick’s ability to expertly capture the light and dark within any given situation with a surprisingly sexy undertone. There’s never a dull moment in Kubrick’s world.
The director then listed the festive favourite It’s a Wonderful Life in his top four. It’s a heartwarming and devastating classic that brings the world to tears once a year, lighting up our hearts during the colder months and reminding us of how glorious life can truly be. Given Zemeckis’ ability to induce similar feelings in his work, it’s hardly surprising that he is inspired by one of the founding fathers of comfort cinema itself.
Lastly, Zemeckis’ final pick is Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. The iconic British director is perhaps most well-known for his 1960 film, going on to earn him the nickname of ‘The Master of Suspense’ and creating one of the most terrifying and bone-chilling thrillers of all time. Countless other directors, such as Jordan Peele and Stanley Kubrick, have cited Hitchcock as a direct influence on their work, and his work never fails to linger on your mind and send shivers down your spine. For this reason, it is the perfect conclusion to the director’s top choices, with a selection that spans all corners of the creative world.
