Films Fatale's The 100 Best Shot Films of All Time

Created by Fergenaprido.

Favorited 4 times, disliked 0 times, added to 3 watchlists.

November 1, 2021
WRITTEN BY ANDREAS BABIOLAKIS

Movie is a casual term used for what was once commonly called the motion picture; films also works to describe the same storytelling medium. The point is that even before the films we know now came to be, they were once just twenty four still images per second, flipped in succession to create this illusion of movement. At its very core, it still is somewhat a photographical art form, with emphasis on framing, mise-en-scéne (the placement of focal points and other subjects within a shot to be aesthetically and narratively pleasing), and lighting and/or colour coordination. A lot of this is achieved by set design, makeup and hair, digital effects, and other external factors, but cinematography brings everything together in one visual amalgamation.There are many things to love about films, but cinematography goes as far back as the art form itself.

I guess what I am saying is that this list is unquestionably the most difficult of the extra lists I have done on this site. I have quite possibly one hundred additional honourable mentions, and have had to cut so many films I adore because one hundred spots just aren’t enough. Alas, it is the satisfactory sounding number that I stuck with: the official one hundred that always makes lists of this nature sound important. Chances are you’re going to be livid with me, and I am mad at myself as well. These are the caveats of loving an endlessly plentiful medium like cinema, and trying to limit everything to barely a fraction of a percent of its entire history. If your favourite looking film isn't here, there is a high chance it was considered and appreciated, and reluctantly omitted. If anything, this list may have been even more painful to finalize than any of my film lists; yes, even the ‘60s one (which was the original most difficult list to conclude). When I say I was making final changed the night before this list was released, understand that I am writing this on Halloween. I don't need to celebrate this spooky holiday when my actual nightmares are already here.

Anyway, let’s get down to business. What I’m looking for is a variety of qualifications. Firstly, how do these films look either in black-and-white or in colour? I am taking into consideration how much of these results are based on what is in front of the camera (like brightly coloured sets and outfits), which aren’t really a product of the camerawork itself; however, I am rewarding the photography that makes the most of these situations and enhances these setups as much as possible. Secondly, how is the camera movement (zooms, pans, dolly work and more), and does the photography still look good during these techniques? I’m also considering the usage of various shot techniques, angles, shadows, landscapes, profiles, and virtually any other photographical result one can achieve. Something that also makes this list difficult: being in the digital age. I’m trying to stray away from films that are strictly (or mostly) digital masterpieces like Avatar or Sin City: I want this to be as based on the actual capturing of physical subjects as possible. Alright, we may as well get this over with. As difficult as it was to narrow this list down, it makes me only happier with just how tight these following films are within this criteria. Here are the one hundred best shot films of all time.

This Top 100 has 104 titles because:
#25 includes Olympia parts 1 & 2
#27 includes the entire Three Colours trilogy
#28 includes The Godfather parts 1 & 2 (but not 3)