Top Movies Of 1964

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a 1964 black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Slim Pickens. The film tells the story of a group of politically and psychologically unstable individuals who conspire to start a nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union, and the subsequent chaos that ensues. After the US Air Force General Jack D. Ripper (Sellers) goes rogue and orders a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union without authorization, the President of the United States, Merkin Muffley (also Sellers), and his team of advisors lead by the wheelchair-bound former Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove (also Sellers), desperately attempt to recall the bombers and prevent a nuclear holocaust. Though a hilarious dark comedy, the film serves to highlight the dangers of nuclear war and the insanity of political situations.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated Approved

Fail Safe is a 1964 drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, and Dan O'Herlihy. The film is a Cold War thriller which tells the story of an accidental nuclear attack on Moscow, and the US President's efforts to prevent a nuclear holocaust. As US bombers are en route to Moscow, the President and his advisors must find a way to stop the bombers before they reach their target and bring the world to the brink of nuclear war. The film is a tense and thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of nuclear war and the difficulties of making the right decisions in a crisis.

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria Volontè, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy
Rated R

A Fistful of Dollars is an acclaimed 1964 western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood as the Man with No Name. Set in Mexico near the end of the American Civil War, the plot follows the Man with No Name as he attempts to play two rival families against each other in order to make a profit. After arriving in the small border town of San Miguel, the Man with No Name finds himself embroiled in a battle between two powerful families, the Rojos and the Baxters. He soon learns that the Rojos are controlled by a ruthless leader, Ramon Rojo, while the Baxters are led by a corrupt sheriff. The Man with No Name uses his cunning and skill to manipulate both sides to his advantage, while also helping the Baxters in their fight against the Rojos. The film culminates in an epic showdown between the Rojos and the Baxters, with the Man with No Name playing a crucial role in the outcome.

From Robert Stevenson, starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns
Rated G

Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) is a magical nanny who takes charge of two children, Jane and Michael Banks, while their parents are away. With the help of her friend, the lovable chimney sweep Bert (Dick Van Dyke), Mary teaches the children valuable lessons about life and the importance of family. Along the way, the trio go on a variety of adventures, meeting various fantastical characters and learning valuable lessons about family, magic, and dreams. By the end, Mary is able to restore harmony and happiness to the Banks family, making sure that the children will always remember her.

From Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel
Rated Not Rated

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg tells the story of an unlikely romance between two young lovers: Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful, innocent young girl, and Guy (Nino Castelnuovo), a handsome auto mechanic. Despite their love for one another, their relationship is threatened when Guy is called to serve in the Algerian War. After he leaves, Geneviève discovers that she is pregnant and decides to marry an older, wealthier man in order to provide for her unborn child. Years later, Guy and Geneviève are reunited and must decide whether they can still find happiness together. The film is set against the backdrop of Cherbourg, France, and features a beautiful score of songs by Michel Legrand. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a classic French musical, combining Demy's signature visual style and music to create a timeless story of love, longing, and heartache.

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

My Fair Lady is a 1964 musical film directed by George Cukor, based on the 1956 Broadway musical of the same name by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. The film stars Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison as the main protagonists. The story follows Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from Professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, so that she can pass as a lady. Through her transformation, Eliza learns to value herself and stands on her own two feet. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Peter Glenville, starring Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi
Rated PG-13

Becket (1964) is a historical drama directed by Peter Glenville and starring Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. Set in 12th century England, the film follows the story of Thomas Becket (O'Toole) and his close friendship with King Henry II (Burton). When Henry II appoints Thomas as Chancellor of England, the two become close friends and Thomas is highly favored by the king. However, Thomas is soon appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and his newfound religious convictions and loyalty to the Church bring him into direct conflict with the king. Despite their differences, Henry and Thomas' friendship remains strong, and Thomas ultimately sacrifices his life to defend the Church's rights and freedoms. The film tells the story of the two men's complex and powerful friendship, and the sacrifice of Thomas Becket that would change the course of English history forever.

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

Goldfinger is the third film in the James Bond series and stars Sean Connery as 007. The story follows Bond as he attempts to foil the plans of criminal mastermind Auric Goldfinger, who plans to rob Fort Knox of its gold bullion and manipulate the global financial markets. Bond must outsmart Goldfinger and his henchman, Oddjob, as he carries out his nefarious plan using laser technology and other gadgets. Along the way, Bond also encounters Pussy Galore, a pilot and former criminal who helps him in his mission. With the help of allies, Bond eventually triumphs and saves the day.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Rod Steiger, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Brock Peters, Jaime Sánchez
Rated Approved

The Pawnbroker is a 1964 drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Rod Steiger. It tells the story of Sol Nazerman, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust. After losing his family to the Nazis, Sol is emotionally closed off and works as a pawnbroker in Harlem, New York. He's surrounded by poverty and crime but unable to engage with his customers due to the trauma he experienced during the war. Despite the threats and violence he faces, Sol eventually finds the courage to confront his past and seek redemption.

From Jean-Luc Godard, starring Anna Karina, Claude Brasseur, Danièle Girard, Louisa Colpeyn
Rated Not Rated

"Band of Outsiders" is a 1964 French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. It tells the story of two young men, Franz and Arthur, and a young girl, Odile, who are drawn together by their shared desire to break away from their mundane lives and embark on an exciting adventure. Franz and Arthur hatch a plan to rob the house of Odile's wealthy aunt, but the plan quickly goes awry. Along the way, the trio engage in various misadventures, including a rooftop dance and a game of hide-and-seek that takes them all across Paris. The trio's journey is one of youthful recklessness and romanticism, and the film is filled with Godard's signature innovative visuals, witty dialogue and playful editing.

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

A Hard Day's Night is a British musical comedy film starring the Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. Directed by Richard Lester, the film portrays a day in the life of the group, as they travel to a London television studio for a live performance and away from the hordes of fans. Along the way, they encounter trouble from the police and a mad scientist, as well as spend time with a female fan. With its innovative musical sequences, fast-paced comedy, and cinematic techniques, A Hard Day's Night was a major influence on the development of music videos. It also became one of the most influential and critically acclaimed British films of the 1960s, and is often considered one of the greatest rock-and-roll films of all time.

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders, Herbert Lom
Rated PG

From Paul Henreid, starring Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford, Philip Carey
Rated Approved

From Arthur Hiller, starring James Garner, Julie Andrews, Melvyn Douglas, James Coburn
Rated Approved

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Martin Gabel, Louise Latham
Rated PG

From Don Siegel, starring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, John Cassavetes, Clu Gulager
Rated Passed

From Billy Wilder, starring Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston, Felicia Farr
Rated Approved