Best Movies Of 1960

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

Psycho is a 1960 psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a young secretary who steals money from her employer in order to run away with her lover. After a journey of psychological suspense, Marion finds herself checking into the Bates Motel, owned by the eccentric Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). It soon becomes apparent that Norman is not who he seems, and Marion's stay leads to a terrifying conclusion. The film is considered one of Hitchcock's most influential works and is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

From Jacques Becker, starring André Bervil, Jean Keraudy, Michel Constantin, Philippe Leroy
Rated Not Rated

Le Trou (1960) is a French crime drama directed by Jacques Becker and based on the novel by José Giovanni. The film follows the story of four inmates in a Paris prison, who plan an elaborate and dangerous escape. The main character, Gaspard (Marc Michel), is wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death, so he is determined to break out of jail and prove his innocence. He enlists the help of fellow inmates Monclin (Claude Cerval), Jost (René Lefèvre) and Claque-dents (Jean Kerchbron) in the daring escape plan. As the men work on the escape, tensions rise and secrets are revealed, leading to several surprising twists and turns. In the end, Gaspard succeeds in escaping, and he is eventually exonerated. Le Trou is a thrilling and suspenseful drama that delves into the psyche of the characters and examines the complex power dynamics of a prison setting.

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. It stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. The film follows C.C. Baxter (Lemmon), an ambitious young clerical worker in a large New York City insurance company who, in order to climb the corporate ladder, allows his apartment to be used for romantic escapades by his higher-ups. When Baxter's apartment is used for an extramarital affair of his boss, he finds himself caught in a tangled web of lies and guilt when his neighbor, Fran Kubelik (MacLaine), is revealed to be the paramour of Baxter's boss. Baxter must choose between the two, and ultimately learns a valuable lesson about the importance of self-respect and the rewards of honesty.

From Luchino Visconti, starring Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, Annie Girardot, Claudia Cardinale
Rated Not Rated

Rocco and His Brothers is a 1960 Italian drama film directed by Luchino Visconti. The film follows the story of Rocco Parondi, a young man who relocates with his four brothers from rural Italy to Milan in search of a better life. However, what they find is a city plagued by poverty and crime. As they struggle to make a living, a rift begins to form between Rocco and his brothers as they are forced to compete for the same women, in a battle for survival. In the end, Rocco's loyalty to his brothers and his commitment to his family ultimately lets him to find true love and a better future.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated Passed

Inherit the Wind is a 1960 American courtroom drama film directed by Stanley Kramer and based on the 1955 play of the same name, which was inspired by the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial. The film follows two lawyers, Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) and Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March), who square off in a small-town courtroom in the American South in a trial over the legality of a science teacher's teaching evolution in school. Drummond is a liberal and Brady is an evangelical fundamentalist. This film is considered one of the greatest courtroom dramas in movie history and tackles issues of religious fundamentalism and freedom of expression. It is a powerful exploration of the clash between science and religion, as well as a meditation on the power of the state to censor its citizens.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitta Pettersson
Rated Not Rated

The Virgin Spring is a 1960 Swedish drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Set in medieval Sweden, it tells the story of a virtuous Christian maiden (Birgitta Pettersson) who is brutally raped and murdered by two herdsmen, after her family refuses to give them food. Her parents, Töre (Max von Sydow) and Märeta (Birgitta Valberg), take revenge by offering the killers a large sum of money, which they accept. They then discover that the killers have spent the money to pay for a feast in a nearby church in the Virgin Mary's honour. Töre swears to build a church on the spot to honour his daughter. The Virgin Spring is considered to be a testament to Bergman's exploration of faith and morality, as the film follows Töre's journey from sorrow to faith. It also serves as a parable on the vanity of revenge and the ultimate power of mercy, as the killers are ultimately absolved of their sins. The film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1961, and is often cited as one of Bergman's best works.

From Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

La Dolce Vita is a classic 1960 Italian drama directed by Federico Fellini. The film follows the story of Marcello Rubini, a journalist, as he moves through the glamorous, hedonistic life of Rome's elite during the 1960s. Marcello's journey brings him into contact with an array of colorful characters, from movie stars and celebrities to religious figures and priests. As Marcello navigates this world of decadence, he finds himself in a moral and existential crisis, struggling to come to terms with the emptiness of his own life. Through its stunning cinematography, dreamlike visual sequences, and profound characterization, La Dolce Vita captures the complexity of life in the modern world.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton
Rated PG-13

Spartacus is a classic 1960 American epic drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and written by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast. The film tells the story of Spartacus, a Thracian slave who leads a rebellion against the Roman Republic. The film stars Kirk Douglas as Spartacus, Laurence Olivier as Marcus Licinius Crassus, Jean Simmons as Varinia, Charles Laughton as Sempronius Gracchus, and Peter Ustinov as Lentulus Batiatus. The film follows Spartacus and his slave rebellion as they fight against the might of the Roman Empire. As Spartacus and his allies gain more and more support, Crassus, the Roman general sent to crush the revolt, wages a relentless and brutal campaign to put down the rebellion. The climax of the movie comes as Spartacus and his men make a desperate last stand against Crassus' massive army. In the end, Spartacus and most of his followers are killed, but the rebellion inspires a slave uprising throughout the Roman Empire. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning four. It is now regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Michelangelo Antonioni, starring Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Dominique Blanchar
Rated Not Rated

"L'Avventura" (1960), directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, follows the story of Anna (Lea Massari) and her friend Claudia (Monica Vitti) as they start out on an adventure to the Aeolian Islands with a group of friends. On the island of La Stromboli, Anna mysteriously disappears, leaving Claudia and their mutual friend Sandro (Gabriele Ferzetti) behind to search for her. As they traverse the islands, Claudia and Sandro slowly become closer and their feelings towards each other grow. Eventually, they give up hope of finding Anna and decide to return to the mainland. On their journey home, they come to the realization that Anna's disappearance is a metaphor for the fragility of human relationships, and that the search for her was really a search for themselves.

From René Clément, starring Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Marie Laforêt, Erno Crisa
Rated PG-13

Purple Noon is a 1960 French film directed by René Clément, starring Alain Delon. It tells the story of Tom Ripley, a young American who is sent to Italy to retrieve his childhood friend Philippe Greenleaf. As they travel through Italy, Tom's admiration for Philippe turns to obsession, and he begins to plot a way to make Philippe's life his own. Tom goes to extreme lengths to become Philippe, ultimately leading to murder and a daring escape. The film is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Delon's performance earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor.

From John Sturges, starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach
Rated Approved

The Magnificent Seven is a classic western directed by John Sturges and starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Brad Dexter, Horst Buchholz and Eli Wallach. The film follows the story of a small Mexican village that is threatened by the ruthless bandit Calvera and his gang of outlaws. In order to protect the village, seven gunslingers—Chico, Vin, Bernardo, Britt, Lee, Harry and Chris—are hired to defend the village against Calvera and his gang. The seven gunslingers are successful in their task, but they find out that they may have to face a much more difficult situation if they are to continue protecting the village. The Magnificent Seven is a thrilling action-packed western adventure that has become a classic of the genre.

From Richard Brooks, starring Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Arthur Kennedy, Dean Jagger
Rated Approved

Elmer Gantry is a 1960 satirical drama film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Burt Lancaster as the title character. The film follows Elmer Gantry, a cynical and fast-talking traveling salesman in the 1920s midwest, who discovers a newfound zeal for evangelical Christianity. Gantry uses his newfound power to become a successful and well-respected preacher. As his notoriety grows, Gantry finds himself facing temptations of the flesh and money. He soon finds himself caught in a web of his own lies, deceit, and corruption. Elmer Gantry ultimately comes to terms with his own flawed nature, and learns to accept his own humanity. The film is a scathing indictment of religious hypocrisy and moral compromise.

From Michael Powell, starring Karlheinz Böhm, Anna Massey, Moira Shearer, Maxine Audley
Rated Not Rated

Peeping Tom is a 1960 British psychological horror-thriller directed by Michael Powell. The film follows Mark Lewis, a young man who works as a focus puller for a film production company by day and as a voyeuristic serial killer by night. He films his victims as he kills them, and it soon becomes clear that his actions are driven by a traumatic childhood incident. As the police close in, Mark's mental state unravels, leading to a shocking conclusion. The film was controversial upon its release due to its sympathetic portrayal of a serial killer and its explicit violence, but it has since become a classic, widely praised for its mature, nuanced themes and its groundbreaking cinematography.

From George Pal, starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot
Rated G

The Time Machine is a 1960 science fiction film directed by George Pal, based on the 1895 novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. The film follows scientist and inventor, H. George Wells, as he builds a time machine and travels to the future. In the year 802,701, he finds a seemingly utopian society of the Eloi, a peaceful humanoid race without any knowledge of warfare, but discovers that they are in danger from an underground race of cannibals called the Morlocks. With the help of the Eloi, Wells is able to travel back to his own time, determined to find a way to help the future Eloi. Along the way, he discovers that the future planet Earth is in fact dying and that the Morlocks are the only survivors. He must now find a way to save the Eloi and defeat the Morlocks before the planet is destroyed.

From Claude Sautet, starring Lino Ventura, Sandra Milo, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Marcel Dalio
Rated Not Rated

Classe Tous Risques is a 1960 French crime drama directed by Claude Sautet. The film stars Lino Ventura, Sandra Milo, and Jean-Paul Belmondo as members of a gang on the run from the law. Ventura is the leader of the gang, a hardened criminal trying to keep his family safe while evading the police. Milo plays his mistress, a femme fatale who is constantly at his side. Belmondo plays a young gangster who joins Ventura's gang in order to make money and gain fame. As they flee the police and attempt to stay one step ahead of the law, the gang must come to terms with their own criminal pasts and the dangers they face. Ultimately, they must decide if they will stay together or go their separate ways. The film is a gritty and unflinching look at the harsh reality of the criminal underworld, and its characters are portrayed with a realism that is both compelling and heartbreaking.

From Elia Kazan, starring Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick, Jo Van Fleet, Albert Salmi
Rated Approved

Wild River is a 1960 drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick, and Jo Van Fleet. Set in 1930s Tennessee, a young government agent is sent to a rural area to convince the local residents to allow their land to be flooded as part of a dam project. He soon develops a relationship with an elderly matriarch, who is determined to keep her ancestral home from being taken away. Against a backdrop of emotional turmoil, Wild River is a powerful examination of progress and its consequences.

From John Ford, starring Jeffrey Hunter, Woody Strode, Constance Towers, Billie Burke
Rated Approved

From Vincente Minnelli, starring Robert Mitchum, Eleanor Parker, George Peppard, George Hamilton
Rated Passed

From Kim Ki-young, starring Jin Kyu Kim, Jeung-nyeo Ju, Eun-shim Lee, Aeng-ran Eom
Rated Not Rated

From Wolf Rilla, starring George Sanders, Barbara Shelley, Michael Gwynn, Laurence Naismith
Rated Not Rated

From Andrzej Wajda, starring Tadeusz Lomnicki, Krystyna Stypulkowska, Wanda Koczeska, Kalina Jedrusik

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Peter Ustinov, Glynis Johns
Rated Passed

From Janusz Morgenstern, starring Zbigniew Cybulski, Teresa Tuszynska, Grazyna Muszynska, Barbara Baranowska

From Roger Corman, starring Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey, Harry Ellerbe
Rated Approved

From Maria Kaniewska, starring Józef Skwark, Stanislaw Milski, Pola Raksa, Krystyna Karkowska