Top Movies 1968

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 spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone. The film, starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jason Robards, is set in the American Old West in the late 19th century. It follows a mysterious stranger, played by Bronson, as he seeks revenge against the ruthless belt-railroad magnate (Fonda) who killed his brother. Cardinale plays an unlucky woman who is taken in by the stranger and Robards is a bandit who is hired by the railroad magnate to stop the stranger. The film is noted for its long, intricate scenes and its iconic score by Ennio Morricone. Ultimately, the stranger is successful in his mission and brings justice to the Old West.

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

2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick released in 1968. It is based on a novel by Arthur C. Clarke and follows the story of two astronauts and a sentient computer, HAL 9000, as they embark on a mission to Jupiter. At its core, the film is an exploration of human evolution and technology, and how they interact with each other. Along their journey through the cosmos, the crew experience an array of strange events and encounters, which eventually leads to a dramatic conclusion. The film is renowned for its innovative visuals and use of classical music, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time.

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

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. The film follows Rosemary Woodhouse, a pregnant young housewife who grows increasingly suspicious that her husband has made a pact with their strange, overbearing neighbors, the Castavets, to use their unborn child in a Satanic ritual. As her pregnancy progresses, Rosemary suspects the Castavets are using their influence to slowly drive her insane and will kill her baby if she does not act to protect it. Rosemary's Baby was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans
Rated G

Planet of the Apes (1968) is a science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the novel by French author Pierre Boulle. The film follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) as he crash lands on a distant planet ruled by intelligent, talking apes. He soon discovers that this planet, known as the "Planet of the Apes," is in fact Earth, thousands of years in the future. The apes, having evolved much faster than humans, are now the dominant species. Taylor is captured and made a slave, but he eventually escapes and joins a group of human rebels in the hopes of overthrowing the ape government. The movie, released to critical acclaim, became an iconic landmark in science fiction cinema and spawned four sequels. Themes of racism, freedom, and power are explored throughout, making it an important film of its time.

From D.A. Pennebaker, starring Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Ravi Shankar, Country Joe McDonald
Rated Not Rated

Monterey Pop is a 1968 documentary film directed by D.A. Pennebaker. The film covers the Monterey Pop Music Festival, which was held in Monterey, California in 1967. The film captures performances by both legendary and up-and-coming artists, including Otis Redding, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Ravi Shankar. In addition to capturing the performances, the film also provides some insight into the culture of the 1960s. Monterey Pop is credited with starting the "concert film" genre and remains one of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time.

From George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Rated Not Rated

Night of the Living Dead is a classic horror film directed by George A. Romero in 1968. The movie focuses on seven people who take refuge in an isolated farmhouse in Pennsylvania when hordes of flesh-eating zombies ravage the surrounding countryside. The group soon finds themselves under siege from both the undead and a hostile group of locals who intend to take the house by force. As supplies run low and tensions within the group rise, the survivors must battle both the living and the dead in a desperate attempt to survive the night.

From Gene Saks, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Fiedler, Herb Edelman
Rated Passed

The Odd Couple is a 1968 American comedy-drama film directed by Gene Saks and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It is based on the play of the same name by Neil Simon. The film follows the story of two recently divorced men, Felix Ungar (Lemmon) and Oscar Madison (Matthau), who decide to live together even though their personalities clash. Despite their differences, the two must cooperate and learn how to get along in order to survive. Along the way, they overcome their differences, develop a strong friendship, and ultimately learn how to live together as an odd couple.

From Franco Zeffirelli, starring Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery, Milo O'Shea
Rated PG

Romeo and Juliet (1968), directed by Franco Zeffirelli, is a classic tale of two star-crossed lovers set in the Italian city of Verona. In the film, Romeo Montague, a young nobleman from the House of Montague, falls deeply in love with Juliet Capulet, a young maiden from the House of Capulet, despite the fact that their two families have a long and bitter feud between them. After a series of events, the two lovers marry in secret, only to have their secret tragically unraveled when Juliet is forced to marry another man. As a result, Romeo and Juliet take their own lives in the hopes of being reunited in death. The film features a stellar cast of actors, including Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, and John McEnery.

From Brian G. Hutton, starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, Patrick Wymark
Rated M

Where Eagles Dare is a classic World War II action-adventure film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. The film follows Major John Smith (Burton) and Lieutenant Morris Schaffer (Eastwood) as they embark on a daring mission to rescue an American general who is being held captive in a Nazi castle in the Bavarian Alps. As they make their way through the castle and the surrounding countryside, they face obstacles from both the Nazis and their own superiors. Along the way, they must rely on their wits and courage to stay alive and complete their mission. With its thrilling action sequences, spectacular scenery, and memorable performances, Where Eagles Dare is considered a classic of its genre.

From Mel Brooks, starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Dick Shawn, Kenneth Mars
Rated PG

The Producers is a 1967 comedy film directed by Mel Brooks. The story revolves around two scheming theatrical producers who attempt to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Max Bialystock, a once-successful Broadway producer, and Leo Bloom, a timid accountant, team up to produce the worst show ever written in order to make the most money. After raising more money than they need, they set out to find the worst play they can, and come across "Springtime for Hitler" written by a lunatic Nazi playwright. As the play opens, audiences think it's a comedy, but soon realize it's a parody of Nazi Germany. After the play is met with a standing ovation, Max and Leo suddenly find themselves in legal trouble with the authorities as they have made far more money than expected and must now find a way to get out of the situation.

From John Cassavetes, starring John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel
Rated R

Faces is a 1968 American drama film written and directed by John Cassavetes and starring John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel, and Fred Draper. It is a raw, realistic look at the breakdown of a long-term marriage. The film follows the disintegration of a middle-aged couple, Richard and Maria Forst (Marley and Rowlands), whose unhappy but seemingly stable relationship begins to unravel after Richard begins an affair with the much younger Jeannie Rapp (Carlin). Maria's despair and loneliness drive her to seek comfort in the arms of a series of men. The film is a powerful study of the human condition, exposing the ugliness and beauty of relationships, and ultimately offering a message of hope and redemption.

From Carol Reed, starring Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed
Rated G

From George Dunning, starring Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon
Rated G

From William Wyler, starring Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, Kay Medford, Anne Francis
Rated G

From Peter Yates, starring Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, Don Gordon
Rated M/PG

From Ralph Nelson, starring Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom, Lilia Skala, Leon Janney
Rated M

From Norman Jewison, starring Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, Jack Weston
Rated Approved

From Ken Hughes, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill
Rated G

From Roger Vadim, starring Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Milo O'Shea
Rated PG