. . . Regarding Movie Literature
My Definition of Literature is two-fold:
1. Durability: Has it been around (or does it look to be around) for a long time?
2. Quality: Is it the kind of thing that a person who considers himself well read should read?
This definition and the fact that my kids are of video watching age makes me wonder if there should be the concept of movie literature. Specifically, family-friendly movie literature.
So I have been wondering which movies meet these three criteria:
A. Is it a movie that all people who are secular movie watchers should see?
B. Is it a movie that has been around for a while, or will be around for awhile? – with the caveat that “a while” has a more short term meaning for movies than for books, since the cinema has been around for a significantly shorter period.
C. Is it a movie that is appropriate for kids younger than 10? – the age of my kids at present – so whatever you think about Bill Murray – “Stripes” is out.
Here are movies that are on my criteria meeting movie list:
1. Mary Poppins – Perhaps the best Disney movie ever.
2. Star Wars -
3. Empire Strikes Back
4. Return of the Jedi – I agree with others who say that this is not nearly as good as the first two, but it would be torture for a kid to watch “Empire” and not watch this.
5. The Sound of Music
That’s it. I can only think of five. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I suppose other Disney movies – but which ones? I might also go with Narnia, but I’m not sure it has durability.
What do you think?
Update: What was I thinking? Of course “The Princess Bride” needs to be in the list!
6 comments
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March 21, 2007 at 10:02 pm
fundyreformed
There was a pretty good movie version of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.
Oh, and you gotta go with Narnia. It’s here for keeps. The books have lasted fifty years, and not just in ultra spiritual circles.
They are great reading. And the recent movie is fabulous. Wonderful filming, definitely enduring quality.
March 22, 2007 at 12:04 pm
jamsco
I don’t know. For Christmas, we just got the 40th anniversary edition of “Sound of Music.” I’m just guessing there won’t be a 40th anniversary edition of Narnia.
That is, unless they decided to do all seven Narnia books and when they put out the complete set it might be 40 years by then.
March 22, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Gary
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Treasure Island (1950)
March 22, 2007 at 12:51 pm
jamsco
Thanks Gary.
We did watch the Wizard of Oz awhile back. They liked it. I’m not sure if I’ve seen any of the others.
March 23, 2007 at 2:29 am
fundyreformed
Hello! Why did I forget about The Lord of the Rings??
That movie trilogy will totally have a 40th anniversary. Can’t get a book any better, too. Just look at all the books on LOTR or Tolkien.
If you are fine with Star Wars, you gotta include LOTR
March 23, 2007 at 11:46 am
jamsco
I had considered putting LOTR on the list, but (it being my favorite) I want them to read it (Actually, I will be reading it to them) before they see it and I want to wait untill they are a little more mature so they can understand it more fully.
I read a quote from Tolkein once where he was asked if LOTR was for children and he shared regret for times when he read a book for the first time before he was really able to appreciate it and could never get the “first read” experience back.
In any case, the Shelob scene all by itself is to scary in the book or the movie for an under 10 year old, least I think.
But if they come out with The Hobbit, like they say they might be, I will be seriously consider putting it on the list.