The Favorite Films Of Stanley Kubrick

Posted on Sep 1, 2010

The Favorite Films Of Stanley Kubrick

Written By: Justin Bozung

Mondo Film & Video Guide Editor

He was the ultimate auteur.  Stanley Kubrick produced a mere 12 films in 50 years.  But each is perfect.  His films are distinct cinematic movements.  Each with it’s own individual style, Kubrick’s films, pioneer’d filmmaking, broke society taboo’s, and inspired people to commit crimes.    Kubrick was a honest perfectionist on all levels.  He was quite possibly the only filmmaker in motion picture history, to be able to function, always, on his own terms.  Kubrick had no pressures from Hollywood studios, he could have any actor he wanted to work with, and TOTAL and final creative control.  Stanley Kubrick did everything on his terms.

Residing comfortably in the United Kingdom since the mid-late 1960′s.  Kubrick was often pegged in the media as a eccentric recluse, a mad man who refused to fly anywhere, even though at one time he had his own pilot’s license.  He kept every fan letter he ever received, grading and organizing them, even though he rarely responded.  He was a animal lover, often having dozens of dogs and cats at one time at his home. He often would bring his cats into work at the film studio, during post production.

Stanley Kubrick was a film genius. His success was attributed to his intense attention to detail, and his interest and involvement in the technical aspects of the filmmaking process.   Kubrick popularized “Front Projection” in 2001: A Space Odyssey.  He also developed special effects processes that are still being used today. Kubrick also designed special cameras and lens that would capture extreme low level lighting.  His film, The Shining (1980) was the first major production to utilize the Steadi-cam to major effect.

Stanley Kubrick wasn’t a mad man recluse, but simply a shy New York City kid, that wasn’t comfortable with fame.   He loved story-telling, chess, the New York Yankee’s and the photographic aspects of cinema.   Stanley Kubrick also disliked seeing his work in theatre’s displayed incorrectly in widescreen. He was a self taught photographer, that was used to composing his images in 4:3 (full screen). He didn’t like widescreen cause “you lose part of the picture.” He’s the most admirer’d filmmaker of all time, and his films are considered classic.

Stanley Kubrick died on March 7th, 1999, quietly in his sleep.  Stanley Kubrick never got to see “2001″.    In 2002, his daughter, Anya Kubrick spoke to fans about her father, and shared a list of some of Kubrick’s favorite films.   Over the years, Kubrick had gone on record indicating that two of his favorite filmmakers of all time, where Elia Kazan and Max Ophuls.  But did you know two of his favorite films where, White Men Can’t Jump (1992), and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)? And in fact,  he hated The Wizard Of Oz…

Stanley Kubrick On The Set Of  – Barry Lyndon (1974)

Closely Observed Trains (1966)

This 1966 Czech film about a young German boy working in a train station during World War II, no doubt held Kubrick’s attention with it’s stern attention to detail.  Kubrick was obsessed with war, in particular World War II.   Closely Observed Trains is an amazing document, an alternative perspective of Nazi heavy Germany during the war.   Is it possible that Closely Observed Trains had some inspiration with Kubrick for his long in the process, abandoned project “The Aryan Papers?”

An American Werewolf In London (1981)

This 1981 John Landis horror classic would be an obvious pick for favorite’s to just about anyone.  At times, darkly humorous and effects pioneering, could it be that Stanley Kubrick had a wonderously wicked and entertaining sense of humor?   An American Werewolf In London is a wonderous film, filled with then cutting edge monster effects from legend, Rick Baker.   The film is perfectly directed, and it’s ton is dark and fun.   What was it about this film, that Kubrick loved so much?

The Fireman’s Ball (1967)

This 1967 Milos Foreman Czech Cinema Vertie classic comes across a documentary of sorts. The film was Foreman’s first color film, and the last he would produce in his native language. There are no actors, the actual Fireman in the film, where actual fireman. Could Kubrick have been interested in the dynamic and drive of the common man here?  Or was he interested in the slice of perspective that he was about to lose with his own celebrity?

Metropolis (1926)

It’s quite easy to see how Fritz’s Land Metropolis could’ve influenced Kubrick in the scope of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Both films where mold breakers in terms of cinematic technique, dramatic structure, and special effects.   Lang, like Kubrick was a stern visionary.   They where kindred brothers on many levels. 

Spirit Of The Beehive (1973)

This very important 1973 Victor Erice film is considered to be a masterpiece of post civil war Spanish cinema.  The film is about a young girl who is obsessed with the 1931 James Whale classic film, Frankenstein.  The mind boggles as to what Kubrick took from this film.  Without going into too much hub bub, check it out.

White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

As your mind may be turning  to cinematic mush, this 1992 Ron Shelton film chronicles the tale of basketball hustlers.  Offering  no stimulating visual effects here, White Men Can’t Jump is a classic of “guy flicks” have you.   Could it be that at times, the master of the moving images – Stanley Kubrick, just wanted to sit back, smoke a bowl, and “hear” Jimmy?   And on that note, do you think Kubrick could jump?

Beauty And The Beast (1946)

This landmark of French atmosphere must have had a major influence on Kubrick during the production of “The Shining” (1980).  Taunt with mood, Cocteau’s Beauty And The Beast is the exact same story that you’re thinking of.   Cocteau was known for producing visual poetry, and this 1946 film is exactly that.

The Godfather (1972)

Kubrick often called Coppola’s benchmark ” The Greatest Film of All Time”.    Kubrick almost worked with Brando back in the early 50′s, when Brando screened Kubrick’s anti-war masterpiece, Paths Of Glory.  Brando approached Kubrick with a script called, “One Eye Jacks.”   After several conversations, myth dictates that after the conversations with Kubrick, Brando decided that he just might try directing it himself.   The Godfather is a classic film, but is it the best film of all time?

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

It’s hard to see exactly where Kubrick would’ve found inspiration in this new dawn of a horror classic.    Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a brutal violent  escape.   Could it have shocked Kubrick with it’s un-restrained violence?  Until this 1974′s release, there really hadn’t been anything like it prior.   The connection of Kubrick to this film keeps me up at night, wandering through the maze of my mind, just like Jack Torrance.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

This 1975 Sidney Lumet epic of 70′s filmmaking is one of the greatest films ever made.  Dog Day Afternoon could be that “one film” a critic would choose to sum up film during the 70′s.  The script and acting was light years ahead of it’s time, catapulting Al Pacino into legend.   Dog Day Afternoon also features a break-through performance by the great, Chris Sarandon.   While I can’t directly see any sort of direct influence Dog Day would have had on Kubrick, I do understand it’s cinematic importance to the main stream.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Milos Foreman makes the list for the 2nd time.  This 1975 “clinical” look at the Vietnam war and our mental health system reminds viewers modestly, of lil’ Alex’s “treatment” in Kubrick’s 1971 masterpiece, A Clockwork Orange.  Based off the best selling novel by papa prankster, Ken Kesey, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a classic.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Considered to be the greatest film ever made by numerous filmmakers and critics alike. Orson Welles was just a mere 25 years old when Kane was released into theaters.  Could Kubrick has saw Welles as a sort of cinematic Napoleon?

Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

The peak of Jonnathan Demme’s career was reached with the release of his uber brilliant and disturbing thriller, Silence Of The Lambs. Taking home the best picture Oscar in 1991, Demme would go on to direct, Philadelphia with Tom Hanks, and a remake with Mark Wahlberg of 1969 Michael Caine vehicle, The Italian Job.  Kubrick followed Demme’s career, cause it taught everyone what NOT to do.

Eraserhead (1976)

I’ll have to confess that I think if I could have one wish, it would be to take about 20 hits of LSD-25 with Stanley Kubrick and watch this movie together…and then go for coffee and a deli sandwich after to discuss.   David Lynch’s masterpiece of weird, was his freshman effort, but a masterful one at that.   In Heaven..Everything Is Fine.

Roger & Me (1989)

Kubrick often stayed in touch with current events and politics.  Michael Moore’s Roger & Me is the final nail in the coffin to a decade where big business trump’d all mankind.   I can imagine Kubrick sitting back, and having a chuckle at General Motor’s expense.

With a list this staggering, it’s hard to stop your mind from wondering about what Kubrick must have found interesting about this selection of films.    Below is an additional list of Kubrick’s favorite films.  This list was culled from an magazine interview he gave in the early 1960′s.

I Vitelloni (1953)

Wild Strawberries (1958)

Tresaure Of The Sierra Madre (1948)

City Lights (1931)

Henry V (1945)

La Notte (1961)

The Bank Dick (1940)

Roxie Hart (1942)

Hell’s Angels (1930)