Best 1960 Movies

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is an epic Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. Set during the American Civil War, the film follows three ruthless gunslingers as they search for Confederate gold. The "Good" is Blondie (Eastwood), the "Bad" is Angel Eyes (Van Cleef), and the "Ugly" is Tuco (Wallach). All three characters are after the same treasure, but must battle each other for the fortune. Along the way, they experience violence, betrayal, and redemption as they make their way through the Old West. With its epic scope and stunning visuals, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is an iconic Western that has shaped the genre for generations.

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

Psycho is an Alfred Hitchcock classic horror film released in 1960. It tells the story of Marion Crane, a woman who steals money from her workplace in order to run away with her boyfriend. She stops at the Bates Motel, run by the creepy Norman Bates and his mother. After Marion is killed in the shower, her sister and her boyfriend investigate the motel and uncover a shocking truth—Norman's mother is dead, and he has been dressing up as her to commit the murders. The movie follows Norman's descent into madness as he continues to kill and is eventually arrested. Psycho is considered one of Hitchcock's greatest films, and is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.

From Sergio Leone, starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards
Rated PG-13

Once Upon a Time in the West is a 1968 epic Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale and Jason Robards. The story follows a mysterious stranger (Bronson) who arrives in a small town in the American West to avenge the murders of a family he was hired to protect. He teams up with the widow (Cardinale) of the slain gunfighter, a notorious desperado (Robards) and a professional gunslinger (Fonda). Together, they must take on a ruthless land baron (Gabriele Ferzetti) and an outlaw gang in a struggle for land and power. The film is a classic example of the Spaghetti Western genre and is renowned for its iconic score by Ennio Morricone and its striking cinematography.

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. The film stars Jack Lemmon as C.C. Baxter, a lonely office worker for a large insurance company, who allows his apartment to be used by his superiors for trysts. Shirley MacLaine co-stars as Fran Kubelik, an elevator operator with whom Baxter falls in love. Baxter is a bachelor who works as an insurance clerk in an anonymous New York City office building. To gain favor with his superiors, he lends out his apartment to them for their extramarital affairs. Although he is initially content with his role as a "facilitator", Baxter soon finds himself in love with Fran, one of his building's elevator operators, whom his boss, Jeff Sheldrake, is also pursuing. After Fran discovers Baxter's secret and confronts him about it, Baxter comes to terms with the moral implications of his actions. He ultimately chooses to reject the corporate lifestyle and stand up for his love for Fran. The film was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It was awarded five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing (Story

From Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy
Rated Approved

To Kill a Mockingbird is a film based on the 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee. It follows the story of Scout (Mary Badham), a precocious six-year-old girl living in 1930s Alabama. Along with her brother Jem (Phillip Alford) and their father Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), Scout struggles to understand the racism and injustice in the segregated Deep South. When Atticus defends a black man, Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), against accusations of rape by a white girl, the town of Maycomb is thrown into turmoil. Through the trial, Scout and Jem come to understand the complexities of race, justice, and morality. With its powerful message of tolerance, the film is considered a classic of American cinema.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

2001: A Space Odyssey is Stanley Kubrick's epic science-fiction drama set in a futuristic world. The film follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The story is presented in four sequential sections: "The Dawn of Man", "TMA-1", "Jupiter Mission", and "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite". After finding a mysterious black monolith, a group of ape-like pre-humans gain intelligence, leading to the use of tools and weapons. Millions of years later, a space mission discovers another monolith located on the moon, and this sparks the journey to Jupiter. Along the way, the crew and their computer, HAL, encounter many dangers and strange events, eventually leading to a transcendent revelation about humanity's place in the universe. The film is renowned for its groundbreaking special effects, innovative use of classical music, and thought-provoking exploration of human evolution and existence.

From David Lean, starring Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins
Rated Approved

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 Academy Award-winning epic historical drama film set during the First World War, directed by David Lean and starring Peter O'Toole in the title role. The film tells the story of the life of British officer T.E. Lawrence, played by O'Toole, and his involvement in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the war. The film follows Lawrence's experiences in Arabia, including his extraordinary military successes, his controversial political activities, and his personal relationships with the various characters he encounters. The film is known for its spectacular cinematography, sweeping desert vistas, and breathtaking battle scenes. The film received seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.

From John Sturges, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson
Rated Approved

The Great Escape is a classic 1963 war film directed by John Sturges and starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Charles Bronson. The story follows Allied prisoners of war during World War II as they plan an elaborate escape from the notorious German prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag Luft III. Led by the shrewd and resourceful American, Hilts "The Cooler King" (McQueen), the men put together a daring plan to dig three tunnels and escape in the night. As the prisoners struggle against time and the ever-vigilant German guards, their epic journey to freedom tests the limits of their courage and ingenuity. With suspense, thrilling escapes, and an all-star cast, The Great Escape is a timeless cinematic classic.

From Gillo Pontecorvo, starring Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, Samia Kerbash
Rated Not Rated

The Battle of Algiers is a classic 1966 Italian-Algerian war drama directed by Gillo Pontecorvo and starring Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, and Saadi Yacef. The film is a fictionalized recounting of the Algerian struggle for independence from French colonial rule during the Algerian War (1954-1962). The story follows the lives of three main characters—Ali La Pointe, a young leader of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN), Djafar, a FLN leader, and Colonel Mathieu, the commander of the French Army in Algiers—and their efforts during the Battle of Algiers in 1957. The film is noted for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayals of the violence of war, as well as its attention to the emotions and motivations of the characters and the political complexity of the situation. The Battle of Algiers received numerous accolades, and is considered a classic of world cinema.

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon
Rated GP

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman as Luke Jackson, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp who refuses to conform to the camp's rules and regulations. Jackson's rebellious and non-conformist attitude endears him to his fellow inmates, but lands him in trouble with the guards and the prison's strict warden. As he struggles to escape the camp, Luke's resilience and determination inspire the other prisoners to stand up for themselves against the oppressive system. The film follows Luke and his fellow inmates as they attempt to break their chains of hardship and oppression, and ultimately illustrates the power of hope and determination in the face of adversity.

From Robert Wise, starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn
Rated G

The Sound of Music is a 1965 classic musical film directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is based on the 1959 Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by the real-life story of the Von Trapp family singers. The film follows the story of Maria, a young postulant nun sent to serve as a governess for the seven children of the widowed Austrian naval officer, Captain Von Trapp. Maria captures the hearts of the children and the Captain with her kindness, energy, and spirit of music. The Captain eventually falls in love with Maria, and after their marriage the family is forced to flee Austria when the Nazis invade. The family escapes over the Alps, singing and bringing joy to other refugees along the way. The Sound of Music is a timeless classic full of memorable music, captivating characters and a powerful story of courage and hope in the face of adversity.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Margaretha Krook, Gunnar Björnstrand
Rated Not Rated

Persona is a 1966 Swedish psychological drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It tells the story of Elisabet Vogler, a famous stage actress who inexplicably stops speaking and withdraws from the world. Her nurse, Alma, is assigned to care for her and the two women move to a cottage by the sea. Over the course of the film, Alma finds herself becoming increasingly entwined in Elisabet’s world, as the two women struggle to understand each other and their own identities. The film is known for its exploration of themes such as duality, reality and identity, as well as its use of innovative cinematography.

From Mike Nichols, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, Sandy Dennis
Rated Not Rated

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a 1966 American drama film directed by Mike Nichols and produced by Ernest Lehman. It stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as a bickering middle-aged couple, Martha and George, who invite an unwitting younger couple, Nick and Honey, to their home late one evening. As the night progresses, Martha and George's toxic relationship is revealed through a series of increasingly destructive verbal battles and psychological games. The film was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards and won five, including Best Actress for Taylor and Best Supporting Actress for Sandy Dennis. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Wesley Addy
Rated Passed

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 psychological thriller directed by Robert Aldrich. It stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford as two aging sisters living together in a decaying Hollywood mansion. Jane (Davis) was a child star whose career has since faded, while her sister Blanche (Crawford) was a successful actress who was left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair after an accident. Jane harbors a deep resentment toward her sister and begins to mentally and physically abuse her. As the story moves forward, Jane's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous as she tries to keep her sister in the house and prevent her from revealing her dark secrets. As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that the sisters' past together holds a tragic secret that has caused a lifetime of pain and suffering.

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. Its story follows Rosemary Woodhouse, a young pregnant woman living in New York City, and her husband Guy, who become involved with a strange cult. Rosemary begins to suspect that the cult is plotting to use her unborn child for a sinister purpose. With the help of her friend Hutch, she uncovers the truth about the cult and its horrific plans for her baby. The film is a tense and suspenseful exploration of paranoia and the lengths to which people will go in pursuit of their ambitions.

From Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée, Claudia Cardinale, Sandra Milo
Rated Not Rated

8½ follows the story of Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director suffering from an artistic crisis while trying to make a new movie. He is constantly surrounded by memories of his past, vivid dreams and fantasies, and the overwhelming pressures of the film industry, which causes him to escape into an escalating series of surreal, dreamlike reveries. As he struggles to make sense of his life and career, Guido is faced with a multitude of pressures, including his wife, his mistress, his producer, his fans, and his own creative ambition. Through a series of surreal scenes and interactions, Guido attempts to find a way to express his creative vision and overcome his personal and professional struggles. Ultimately, 8½ serves as a powerful exploration of artistic expression, the creative process, and the struggles of the modern artist.

From George Cukor, starring Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Rated G

My Fair Lady is a 1964 musical film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name, based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, and directed by George Cukor. The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower seller, and Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins, a pompous phonetics professor who attempts to turn her into a lady by teaching her how to speak properly. The film follows Eliza's transformation from a cockney flower girl to a lady of high society, with the help of Higgins. Along the way, Eliza falls in love with Higgins, but he remains oblivious to her feelings, leading to a dramatic conclusion. My Fair Lady is widely regarded as one of the best film adaptations of a Broadway musical, winning eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

From Guy Hamilton, starring Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Rated PG

Goldfinger is a 1964 James Bond spy film, the third in the James Bond series and the third to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Set in the 1960s, the film's plot concerns Bond investigating the gold smuggling activities of Auric Goldfinger and ultimately uncovering the villain's plans to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. The film also stars Honor Blackman as Bond girl Pussy Galore and Gert Fröbe as the title character Auric Goldfinger. Goldfinger was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman and was the first of four Bond films directed by Guy Hamilton. The film was an adaptation of the novel of the same name, which was written by Ian Fleming and published in 1959. The film was released in the UK on 17 September 1964 and was the first Bond film to be produced in the United States. While it received generally positive reviews and was a box office success, Goldfinger was controversial for its use of sexual innuendo and violence. It was also the first Bond film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

From Arthur Penn, starring Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman
Rated R

Bonnie and Clyde is a 1967 film directed by Arthur Penn and starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. The film follows the story of the notorious Depression-era bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and their notorious crime spree in the mid-1930s. During their crime spree, they steal money, commit murder, and capture the attention of the public. The film is seen as one of the first to glamorize criminals, while at the same time showing their darker and more violent side. The film follows Bonnie and Clyde's journey from love-struck adventurers to notorious criminals, as they are pursued by the police and their own consciences. In the end, they are killed in a hail of bullets by police. The film is seen as a classic of the New Hollywood movement and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made.

From Roman Polanski, starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

Repulsion is a 1965 psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski. The film explores the psychological state of a repressed Belgian woman living in London, and is told through a series of disturbing and surreal images. The protagonist, Carol, is a young Belgian manicurist living in London with her sister, Helen. As her sister embarks on a holiday with her lover, Carol is left alone in their shared flat and begins to experience a mental breakdown. Paranoia and hallucinations ensue, and Carol's isolation and repression only deepen, leading her to commit horrific acts of violence and ultimately to her death. The film is a chilling exploration of the depths of the human psyche, and its dream-like visuals and psychological potency has earned it a lasting place in horror film history.

From Blake Edwards, starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen
Rated Approved

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a romantic comedy-drama film released in 1961 directed by Blake Edwards, based on the novel of the same name by Truman Capote. Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, the film follows the story of Holly Golightly, an eccentric New York City socialite who is struggling to make ends meet. Holly meets her neighbor Paul Varjak, a struggling writer, and the two become friends as they try to find their place in the world. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles and learn valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship.