Top Movies Of 1960

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

Psycho is a classic horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960. It follows the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who steals $40,000 from her employer and flees to the Bates Motel. There, she meets the strange proprietor, Norman Bates. As Marion begins to develop feelings for Norman, a series of mysterious killings take place. It becomes clear that Norman has a dark past and is responsible for the murders. In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Norman's mother is actually the killer and Norman has been driven insane by her overbearing influence. Marion ultimately becomes the final victim of the murderous mother-son duo. The film is a psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, madness, and obsession.

From Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston
Rated Approved

The Apartment is a classic 1960 romantic comedy-drama directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. The film follows C.C. Baxter, an ambitious young employee of a large insurance company who is eager to impress his bosses by providing them with the use of his apartment for their extramarital affairs. Despite his good intentions, he soon discovers the consequences of his actions when he falls in love with Fran Kubelik, a woman he suspects is involved with one of his superiors. As he struggles to decide between his career and his heart, Baxter finds himself caught in a tangled web of love and lies. With its witty dialogue, clever writing, and sharp direction, The Apartment is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time.

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

Rocco and His Brothers is a 1960 Italian film directed by Luchino Visconti. It tells the story of the five Parondi brothers, who move from their rural home in the north of Italy to the bustling city of Milan. The eldest brother, Rocco, is determined to make a life for himself and his siblings, but his plans are put to the test when his brothers become embroiled in the city's criminal underworld. As their fortunes diverge, the brothers are forced to confront the harsh realities of life in the city, and the struggles of family loyalty. Amidst the violence and tragedy, Rocco and His Brothers is an exploration of how poverty and ambition can change the course of a person's life.

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. It is based on the 1955 play of the same name by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee, which fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. The film focuses on two lawyers, Henry Drummond and Matthew Brady, who defend Bertram Cates, who has been accused of teaching Darwin's Theory of Evolution in his classroom. Drummond and Brady represent two very different approaches to the law, as well as two different sets of religious and philosophical beliefs. The trial is a highly publicized event and ultimately the jury finds Cates guilty. In the end, the jury is persuaded by Drummond's arguments and Cates is exonerated. The film is an allegory for the clash between religious fundamentalism and modern science.

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

La Dolce Vita is a classic Italian film written and directed by Federico Fellini. It follows the life of Marcello Rubini (Marcello Mastroianni), a journalist in search of a more meaningful existence. Marcello moves through the high society of Rome and encounters a number of characters with mysterious and sometimes scandalous lifestyles. He is constantly drawn to beauty and pleasure, yet he also feels emptiness and dissatisfaction. He begins to question his values and choices as he is exposed to a world of excess and decadence. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including a movie star, a poet, and a wealthy socialite. The film is a meditation on modern life and its pursuit of fleeting pleasures. It is an exploration of the emptiness of a life that is devoted to pleasure and material gain, and its inability to make one truly happy. At the same time, it is a portrait of a city that is both glamorous and corrupt. La Dolce Vita remains a timeless classic and a masterpiece of Italian cinema.

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

Spartacus is a 1960 epic historical drama directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas as the titular character. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast and follows the story of an enslaved Roman gladiator and his rebellion against the oppressive Roman Republic. In the film, Spartacus leads a slave revolt against his masters, eventually rallying the support of thousands of slaves. The film is acclaimed for its expansive battle scenes and its exploration of themes such as freedom, loyalty, and leadership. The film was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, winning 4, including Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. Spartacus is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made and remains an influential classic.

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

The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American western film directed by John Sturges, this classic film follows seven gunslingers who are hired to protect a small town in Mexico from a group of bandits. The seven men include Chris (Yul Brynner), Vin (Steve McQueen), Bernardo (Charles Bronson), Britt (James Coburn), Harry (Robert Vaughn), Chico (Horst Buchholz), and Lee (Brad Dexter). Together, they must fight against the odds to save the town from certain destruction. With an all-star cast, the film is an action-packed adventure that captures the spirit of the old west. Along with a stirring soundtrack, The Magnificent Seven is an iconic western that remains a classic in the genre.

From Georges Franju, starring Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, Alexandre Rignault
Rated Not Rated

Eyes Without a Face (1960) is a French horror film directed by Georges Franju and starring Pierre Brasseur and Alida Valli. The film follows anti-social doctor Génessier (Brasseur) as he attempts to restore the facial features of his daughter, Christiane (Edith Scob). After an automobile accident disfigures Christiane, Génessier embarks on a quest to use stolen cadavers in order to rebuild her face. Throughout his quest, Génessier is pursued by Gendarme Parot (Jacques Herlin), and must confront his own inner demons amidst the moral implications of his actions. As the film progresses, the audience is taken on a journey of chilling horror and psychological suspense as Génessier’s desperate attempts to restore Christiane’s beauty for her own well-being become increasingly sinister.

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

The Time Machine is a 1960 American science fiction film based on the 1895 novel of the same name by H. G. Wells. Directed by George Pal, it stars Rod Taylor as the time traveler, the protagonist of the story. The film follows a scientist who invents a time machine and uses it to travel to the future, where he discovers a world divided into two races, the Eloi and the Morlocks. The Eloi live in a primitive state of innocence, while the Morlocks live in a dark and dangerous underground world. The scientist must then find a way to save the Eloi from their oppressive oppressors and to restore balance to the world.

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 follows the story of Abel Davis, a criminal on the run from the law after being involved in a botched robbery. After going on the run with his family, he finds himself pursued by both the police and the criminal underworld. As he struggles to protect his family, Abel is forced to confront the moral and ethical dilemmas of his choices and the consequences of his actions. Classe Tous Risques is a gripping exploration of the brutal realities of life on the run, and the impact it can have on a family.

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

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

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

From Lewis Milestone, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford
Rated Approved

From Stanley Donen, starring Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons
Rated Approved

From Daniel Mann, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Harvey, Eddie Fisher, Dina Merrill
Rated Not Rated