1960 Films

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a classic horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1960. It tells the story of Norman Bates, a troubled young man who manages the Bates Motel out in the middle of nowhere. One day, a young woman named Marion Crane stops by the motel to rest. Unbeknownst to her, she is being watched by Norman, who has a dark secret - he is a serial killer. Marion is later found dead and a police investigation begins. It turns out Norman's secret is even more twisted than anyone could have imagined - he believes himself to be his own dead mother. As the police close in on Norman, the truth behind his psychology is slowly revealed. Psycho is a classic thriller that has left its mark on the horror genre and is remembered for its iconic shower scene and for its influence on subsequent films.

From Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston
Rated Approved

The Apartment is a 1960 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and produced by Billy Wilder. It stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, and follows the story of C.C. Baxter, an ambitious office worker who allows his coworkers to use his apartment for their extramarital affairs. However, when Baxter falls for elevator operator Fran Kubelik, he soon finds himself facing an ethical dilemma when one of his bosses becomes involved with her too. Baxter must ultimately decide whether to put his career ambitions ahead of his feelings for Fran. Along the way, the film explores themes of ambition, morality, and love in a touching, lighthearted way.

From Luchino Visconti, starring Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, Annie Girardot, Claudia Cardinale
Rated Not Rated

Rocco and His Brothers is a 1960 Italian drama film directed by Luchino Visconti. The film tells the story of an Italian family that moves to a poor neighborhood in Milan. The story focuses on the five brothers of the family and how their lives are affected by their poverty, their mother's illness, and the perils of their new environment. The eldest brother, Rocco (Alain Delon), is a boxer, and his brothers Simone (Renato Salvatori), Ciro (Max Cartier), Luca (Rocco Vidolazzi), and Vincenzo (Spiros Focás) all look up to him for guidance. As their lives become more and more intertwined with the new city, each brother struggles to find his own path in life. The film is a moving and complex exploration of family dynamics and the ever-changing nature of life and relationships.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated Passed

Inherit the Wind is a 1960 American drama film directed by Stanley Kramer, which tells the story of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial. The trial was held to determine whether a high school teacher (Bertram Cates) should be prosecuted for teaching evolution to his students in violation of Tennessee state law. Two of America's most prominent lawyers, Matthew Harrison Brady (Frederic March) and Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), battle each other in the courtroom. While Brady defends the law and traditional values, Drummond advocates for freedom of thought and scientific inquiry. In the end, the jury finds Cates not guilty, but the movie's primary focus is on the debate between the two lawyers. In its broader sense, the movie is about the conflict between faith and reason, with Drummond representing the latter and Brady representing the former. Ultimately, the movie tells a story about open-mindedness, tolerance and civil liberties.

From Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

La Dolce Vita is a 1960 Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini and starring Marcello Mastroianni. The film follows a week in the life of Marcello Rubini, a journalist and playboy in Rome, as he follows a variety of stories and encounters a range of characters, from wealthy socialites to faithful servants. Along the way, Marcello's life begins to unravel and he must confront the emptiness of his lifestyle and search for a more meaningful existence. Through a series of episodes and comic set pieces, the film presents a vivid portrait of Rome and its inhabitants, both high and low, in a way that captures the growing sense of alienation and despair in post-war Italy. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton
Rated PG-13

Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast. It stars Kirk Douglas in the title role, Laurence Olivier as the Roman general and dictator Marcus Licinius Crassus and Jean Simmons as Spartacus's wife, Varinia. The film tells the story of Spartacus, a Thracian slave and gladiator who becomes a folk hero after leading a rebellion against the oppressive Roman Empire. After being betrayed by a Roman senator, Spartacus is sold into slavery and trained as a gladiator, ultimately leading a revolt of fellow slaves against their Roman masters. The film culminates in a massive battle between the Roman army and the rebellious slaves. Through courage and conviction, Spartacus overcomes the odds and leads his people to freedom.

From John Sturges, starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach
Rated Approved

The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Sturges and starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, and Horst Buchholz. The film follows a group of seven American gunmen who are hired to protect a small Mexican village from a group of bandits. As the gunmen work together, they come to respect each other and develop strong bonds. Along the way, they must face the bandits in a final showdown. The Magnificent Seven was a remake of the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai and was one of the most successful Westerns of its time. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and has since become a classic in the Western genre.

From Georges Franju, starring Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, Alexandre Rignault
Rated Not Rated

Eyes Without a Face is a 1960 French-Italian horror film directed by Georges Franju. The film follows the story of a brilliant surgeon, Dr. Génessier, who is desperate to restore his daughter Christiane's disfigured face after a car accident. He kidnaps young women and removes their faces in an attempt to graft them onto his daughter's. As Génessier's experiments become increasingly desperate and gruesome, his assistant Louise begins to realize the truth of what he is doing. As things spiral out of control, Génessier must face the consequences of his actions. The film is a classic in the horror genre and a powerful exploration of the ethical implications of scientific progress.

From George Pal, starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot
Rated G

The Time Machine is a classic 1960 science fiction film directed by George Pal, based on the novel of the same name by H. G. Wells. The film stars Rod Taylor as George, a scientist and inventor who travels through time in a time machine of his own design. He travels to the year 802,701 AD, where he discovers the world is divided into two distinct societies: the peaceful Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. George discovers that the Morlocks have enslaved the Eloi and are keeping them underground in order to use them for food. He also discovers that the Morlocks have destroyed the time machine, leaving him stranded in the future. With the help of a beautiful Eloi woman named Weena, George embarks on a mission to rescue the Eloi, while also attempting to find a way to repair his time machine so he can return to his own time.

From Claude Sautet, starring Lino Ventura, Sandra Milo, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Marcel Dalio
Rated Not Rated

Classe Tous Risques (1960) is a French crime drama directed by Claude Sautet. The film follows the story of Abel Davos (Lino Ventura), a low-level criminal who has been on the run for five years. When his estranged wife is threatened by gangsters, Abel decides to return to Paris in order to protect her. As he reconnects with his former associates, Abel struggles to stay one step ahead of the police and his enemies. The film paints a nuanced portrait of a flawed man and the criminal underworld he inhabits, exploring the themes of loyalty, morality and guilt.

From Wolf Rilla, starring George Sanders, Barbara Shelley, Michael Gwynn, Laurence Naismith
Rated Not Rated

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Peter Ustinov, Glynis Johns
Rated Passed

From Roger Corman, starring Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey, Harry Ellerbe
Rated Approved

From Lewis Milestone, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford
Rated Approved

From Stanley Donen, starring Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons
Rated Approved

From Daniel Mann, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Harvey, Eddie Fisher, Dina Merrill
Rated Not Rated