OT - Writers' Guild Names 101 Best Screenplays

[NoMyths]

Interesting and valuable list. For those of you who are unfamiliar with 50% or more of these, treat yourself -- they'll add to your life in an incredible variety of ways.

Link: Writers' Guild Names 101 Best Screenplays

The List:

1. CASABLANCA, Screenplay by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Based on the play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison.

2. THE GODFATHER, Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Based on the novel by Mario Puzo.

3. CHINATOWN, Written by Robert Towne

4. CITIZEN KANE, Written by Herman Mankiewicz and Orson Welles

5. ALL ABOUT EVE. Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Based on "The Wisdom of Eve," a short story and radio play by Mary Orr

6. ANNIE HALL, Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman

7. SUNSET BLVD., Written by Charles Brackett & Billy Wilder and D.M. Marshman Jr.

8. NETWORK, Written by Paddy Chayefsky

9. SOME LIKE IT HOT, Screenplay by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond. Based on "Fanfare of Love," a German film written by Robert Thoeren and M. Logan

10. THE GODFATHER II, Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo. Based on Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather"

11. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Written by William Goldman

12. DR. STRANGELOVE, Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Peter George and Terry Southern. Based on novel "Red Alert" by Peter George

13. THE GRADUATE, Screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. Based on the novel by Charles Webb

14. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Based on the life and writings of Col. T.E. Lawrence

15, THE APARTMENT, Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond

16. PULP FICTION, Written by Quentin Tarantino. Stories by Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary

17. TOOTSIE, Screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal. Story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart

18. ON THE WATERFRONT, Screen Story and Screenplay by Budd Schulberg. Based on "Crime on the Waterfront" articles by Malcolm Johnson

19. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Screenplay by Horton Foote. Based on the novel by Harper Lee.

20. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Screenplay by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett & Frank Capra. Based on short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern. Contributions to screenplay Michael Wilson and Jo Swerling

21. NORTH BY NORTHWEST, Written by Ernest Lehman

22. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, Screenplay by Frank Darabont. Based on the short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King

23. GONE WITH THE WIND, Screenplay by Sidney Howard. Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell

24. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. Story by Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry & Pierre Bismuth.

25. THE WIZARD OF OZ, Screenplay by Noel Langley and Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf. Adaptation by Noel Langley. Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum

26. DOUBLE INDEMNITY, Screenplay by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler. Based on the novel by James M. Cain

27. GROUNDHOG DAY, Screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis. Story by Danny Rubin.

28. SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, Written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard

29, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, Written by Preston Sturges

30. UNFORGIVEN, Written by David Webb Peoples

31. HIS GIRL FRIDAY, Screenplay by Charles Lederer. Based on the play "The Front Page" by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur

32. FARGO, Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

33. THE THIRD MAN, Screenplay by Graham Greene. Story by Graham Greene. Based on the short story by Graham Greene.

34. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, Screenplay by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. From a novelette by Ernest Lehman

35. THE USUAL SUSPECTS, Written by Christopher McQuarrie

36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY, Screenplay by Waldo Salt. Based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy

37. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, Screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart. Based on the play by Philip Barry

38. AMERICAN BEAUTY, Written by Alan Ball

39. THE STING, Written by David S. Ward

40. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, Written by Nora Ephron

41. GOODFELLAS, Screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese. Based on book "Wise Guy" by Nicholas Pileggi.

42. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan. Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman

43. TAXI DRIVER, Written by Paul Schrader

44. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, Screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood. Based on novel "Glory For Me" by MacKinlay Kantor

45. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman. Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

46. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by B. Traven

47. THE MALTESE FALCON, Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett

48, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, Screenplay by Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson. Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle

49, SCHINDLER'S LIST, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian. Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally

50. THE SIXTH SENSE, Written by M. Night Shyamalan

51. BROADCAST NEWS, Written by James L. Brooks

52. THE LADY EVE, Screenplay by Preston Sturges. Story by Monckton Hoffe

53. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on the book by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward

54. MANHATTAN, Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman

55. APOCALYPSE NOW, Written by John Milius and Francis Coppola. Narration by Michael Herr

56. BACK TO THE FUTURE, Written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale

57. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, Written by Woody Allen

58. ORDINARY PEOPLE, Screenplay by Alvin Sargent. Based on the novel by Judith Guest

59. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, Screenplay by Robert Riskin. Based on the story "Night Bus" by Samuel Hopkins Adams

60. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, Screenplay by Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson. Based on the novel by James Ellroy

61. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Screenplay by Ted Tally. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris
62. MOONSTRUCK, Written by John Patrick Shanley

63. JAWS, Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley

64. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, Screenplay by James L. Brooks. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry

65. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Screen Story and Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Based on the song by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

66. JERRY MAGUIRE, Written by Cameron Crowe

67. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, Written by Melissa Mathison

68. STAR WARS, Written by George Lucas

69. DOG DAY AFTERNOON, Screenplay by Frank Pierson. Based on a magazine article by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore

70. THE AFRICAN QUEEN, Screenplay by James Agee and John Huston. Based on the novel by C.S. Forester

71. THE LION IN WINTER, Screenplay by James Goldman. Based on the play by James Goldman

72. THELMA & LOUISE, Written by Callie Khouri

73. AMADEUS, Screenplay by Peter Shaffer. Based on his play.

74. BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, Written by Charlie Kaufman

75. HIGH NOON, Screenplay by Carl Foreman. Based on short story "The Tin Star" by John W. Cunningham

76. RAGING BULL, Screenplay by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin. Based on the book by Jake La Motta with Joseph Carter and Peter Savage

77. ADAPTATION, Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman. Based on the book "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean

78. ROCKY, Written by Sylvester Stallone

79. THE PRODUCERS, Written by Mel Brooks

80. WITNESS, Screenplay by Earl W. Wallace & William Kelley. Story by William Kelley and Pamela Wallace & Earl W. Wallace

81. BEING THERE, Screenplay by Jerzy Kosinski. Inspired by the novel by Jerzy Kosinski

82. COOL HAND LUKE, Screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson. Based on the novel by Donn Pearce.

83. REAR WINDOW, Screenplay by John Michael Hayes. Based on the short story by Cornell Woolrich

84. THE PRINCESS BRIDE, Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on his novel.

85. LA GRANDE ILLUSION, Written by Jean Renoir and Charles Spaak

86. HAROLD & MAUDE, Written by Colin Higgins

87. 8 1/2, Screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Brunello Rondi. Story by Fellini, Flaiano.

88. FIELD OF DREAMS, Screenplay by Phil Alden Robinson. Based on the book by W.P. Kinsella

89. FORREST GUMP, Screenplay by Eric Roth. Based on the novel by Winston Groom

90. SIDEWAYS, Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor. Based on the novel by Rex Pickett

91. THE VERDICT, Screenplay by David Mamet. Based on the novel by Barry Reed

92. PSYCHO, Screenplay by Joseph Stefano. Based on the novel by Robert Bloch

93. DO THE RIGHT THING, Written by Spike Lee

94. PATTON, Screen Story and Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North. Based on "A Soldier's Story" by Omar H. Bradley and "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago

95. HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, Written by Woody Allen

96. THE HUSTLER, Screenplay by Sidney Carroll & Robert Rossen. Based on the novel by Walter Tevis

97. THE SEARCHERS, Screenplay by Frank S. Nugent. Based on the novel by Alan Le May

98. THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Screenplay by Nunnally Johnson. Based on the novel by John Steinbeck

99. THE WILD BUNCH, Screenplay by Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah. Story by Walon Green and Roy Sickner

100. MEMENTO, Screenplay by Christopher Nolan. Based on the short story "Memento Mori" by Jonathan Nolan

101. NOTORIOUS, Written by Ben Hecht

[Joe]

dr. strangelove should be higher

[SelzShoes]

Solid list. The only ones I could argue against are Thelma & Louise and Hannah and Her Sisters.

[Johnny93g]

The Godfather should be higher

[AlexB]

11. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Written by William Goldman

You read his books on the film industry and screenwriting? Very good reads - I highly recommend them if you haven't ('Adventures in the Screen Trade' and 'Which Lie Did I Tell?')

[Lathum]

I'm surprised Groundhog day is on this list. As great a movie as it is comedies usually don't make these kinds of lists.

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

11. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Written by William Goldman

You read his books on the film industry and screenwriting? Very good reads - I highly recommend them if you haven't ('Adventures in the Screen Trade' and 'Which Lie Did I Tell?')

I'll echo this -- these are must-reads for anyone interested in the film industry.

[Maple Leafs]

Surprised to see Adaptation as the lowest of Kaufman's three best known movies.

[rexallllsc]

No 2001?

[Raiders Army]

It's nice to see Quentin Tarrantino on the list. I'd rate Resevoir Dogs or True Romance higher than Pulp Fiction.

Even though it won an Oscar, why Rocky??? "Yo, Adrienne!!!"

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

[size=1]
1. CASABLANCA, Screenplay by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Based on the play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison.

Yes, they're related.

[SackAttack]

To Theo, I mean.

[Schmidty]

Back to the Future is in the 50's, yet stuff like Patton, Psycho, and The Princess Bride are at the bottom???????

This list sucks.

[ISiddiqui]

Surprised (plesantly) by GroundHog Day and Annie Hall being so high.

And at least Eternal Sunshine gets some love here, even if the Acadamy didn't. Speaking of the Acadamy, I thought Shakespeare in Love should have been a little higher.

[Franklinnoble]

Meh... some of those movies just plain sucked.

[SackAttack]

How is Shawshank only 22?

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And at least Eternal Sunshine gets some love here, even if the Acadamy didn't.

The more I watch and think about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the more I think it is one of the top 5 or 10 movies of the last decade (at least).

[Bad-example]

I am guessing that most people here, like me, have never read a single screenplay, let alone any on this list. And further guessing that judging a screenplay solely by having seen the film is akin to judging the quality of the flour used just by tasting the cake.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by sabotai

The more I watch and think about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the more I think it is one of the top 5 or 10 movies of the last decade (at least).

"" - Great choice.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

I am guessing that most people here, like me, have never read a single screenplay, let alone any on this list. And further guessing that judging a screenplay solely by having seen the film is akin to judging the quality of the flour used just by tasting the cake.

I've read quite a few on this list, though they are limited to the films that I've seen and enjoyed.

[Vince]

Reading a screenplay is definitely much different than watching a movie, but it's not so different that you can't get the gist of it simply by watching.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

Meh... some of those movies just plain sucked.

Love to know which ones you are referring to, unless of course you're making a typical condascending general statement for no apparent.

I've seen just over half of these films, and would say that exactly zero of them 'just plain sucked'. Not all of them would make my A-list, but they were all at least good - rather than make a typically amibguous 'meh' comment, would you care to elaborate?

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by sabotai

The more I watch and think about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the more I think it is one of the top 5 or 10 movies of the last decade (at least).

Yes. Would easily make a list of the best movies I've ever seen, period.

[AlexB]

Dola,

To be fair, bad example's point is a good one - however my question remains valid as the comment was the films sucked, not the screenplays

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Yes. Would easily make a list of the best movies I've ever seen, period.

I agree.

[Bad-example]

Originally Posted by Vince

Reading a screenplay is definitely much different than watching a movie, but it's not so different that you can't get the gist of it simply by watching.

You can get the gist, sure. But can you fairly rate a screenplay just by having seen the film?

[Vince]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

You can get the gist, sure. But can you fairly rate a screenplay just by having seen the film?

Yeah, I'd say you could fairly do it. You wouldn't have the world's most accurate portrayal of the screenplay, but coming within 10 slots on a list like this (arbitrary number) of where a screenplay should be isn't out of the question.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

You can get the gist, sure. But can you fairly rate a screenplay just by having seen the film?

Depends on your familiarity of things like the director, screenwriter, and source material.


I've seen a lot of Hitchcock films. I know when he had good material to work with and when he didn't.

I've read The Lord of the Rings. I can tell by watching the films that the screenplay must've been money, because I know what it should have looked like.

I've seen enough David Mamet films to know what he does as a screenwriter. If he writes a script for a new movie with some other director, I can get a feel for how much the director changed Mamet's script.


-Anxiety

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

Dola,

To be fair, GWB's point is a good one - however my question remains valid as the comment was the films sucked, not the screenplays

There are some on the list that I think suck, but that's most because I don't like them: "Being John Malkovich" (an awful, overrated film), "Chinatown" (Well-done, but mind-numbingly boring), "Citizen Kane" (Overblown and self-indulgent), "Tootsie" (Run-of-the-mill romantic comedy), "Moonstruck" (Decent, but just average, plus Cher sucks), etc.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

There are some on the list that I think suck, but that's most because I don't like them: "Being John Malkovich" (an awful, overrated film), "Chinatown" (Well-done, but mind-numbingly boring), "Citizen Kane" (Overblown and self-indulgent), "Tootsie" (Run-of-the-mill romantic comedy), "Moonstruck" (Decent, but just average, plus Cher sucks), etc.

Chinatown, Citizen Kane & Being John Malkovich IMHO are all high quality films - CK maybe now doesn;t look so good, but bear in mind how old the film is and the much of what you see in that film was the first time these things had ever been seen in cinema (e.g. floor level cameras, overhead tracking shots). I think that most would credit these three as being 4 or 5 star films.

I have never seen Tootsie or Moonstruck as they don't appeal to me (I tend to agree with the 'Cher sucks' comment )

The comment was 'most of these films suck' - I'm not saying I'm the authority, but I disagree with three of the five you mentioned that I've seen.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

The comment was 'most of these films suck' - I'm not saying I'm the authority, but I disagree with three of the five you mentioned that I've seen.

Well, as I said, these are only my opinions and preferences, not a denouncement of anyone who disagrees with me.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Well, as I said, these are only my opinions and preferences, not a denouncement of anyone who disagrees with me.

Thought you were gunning for me after my Coldplay comment in the 'Greatest Rock Bands' thread

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

I am guessing that most people here, like me, have never read a single screenplay, let alone any on this list. And further guessing that judging a screenplay solely by having seen the film is akin to judging the quality of the flour used just by tasting the cake.

I haven't read a single screenplay, and share your basic sentiment. However, most of the movies that I consider the all time best I have ever seen are on this list... so there's something right about this, in my book.

And the "sucked" crowd will always find their way into a discussion like this... I don't really get it, either, but I presume it's the adult equivalent of calling other kids names (not that this site is necessarily above that behavior, either) to feel better about oneself.

[AENeuman]

Seen them all except SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, anyone see it?

From this list one could say Woody Allen is the greatest screen writer in the 20th century, not sure that's true...

I think Psycho is Hitch's worst movie and one of the most over rated movies of all time

Can't believe 12 Angry Men is not on the list, I would put it in the top 5

Think THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS is one of the most under rated of all time, same with IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

And the "sucked" crowd will always find their way into a discussion like this... I don't really get it, either, but I presume it's the adult equivalent of calling other kids names (not that this site is necessarily above that behavior, either) to feel better about oneself.

To have an honest opinion that runs against the vast majority of opinions is childish and self-indulgent????

That's not only judemental, it's not very logical.

[stevew]

Annie Hall seems to be way to high on the list, until you watch it again and realize that it's one of the best movies of its genre out there.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by stevew

Annie Hall seems to be way to high on the list, until you watch it again and realize that it's one of the best movies of its genre out there.

Indeed... an utter classic!

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

There are some on the list that I think suck, but that's most because I don't like them: "Being John Malkovich" (an awful, overrated film), "Chinatown" (Well-done, but mind-numbingly boring), "Citizen Kane" (Overblown and self-indulgent), "Tootsie" (Run-of-the-mill romantic comedy), "Moonstruck" (Decent, but just average, plus Cher sucks), etc.

I'm going to go with Schmidty on the "Being John Malkovich" front- it's just flat out not a good movie. That said, I do think this list is a lot more solid than most critic lists I've seen.

SI

[ISiddiqui]

You people are strange. I enjoyed the Hell out of "Being John Malkovich". Just a great story.

[sabotai]

I liked Being John Malkovich as well, but I wouldn't consider it an all-time great.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by sabotai

I liked Being John Malkovich as well, but I wouldn't consider it an all-time great.

But do you think the story (if you hadn't read the screenplay) was deserving of all time greatness?

[WVUFAN]

Both Annie Hall and (especially) Shakespeare in Love have no business on this list.

Godfather should be higher, and Citizen Kane should be #1.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

But do you think the story (if you hadn't read the screenplay) was deserving of all time greatness?

I'd go with "no".

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

Godfather should be higher, and Citizen Kane should be #1.

Yeah, that makes sense...

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

Both Annie Hall and (especially) Shakespeare in Love have no business on this list.

And you continue on your path of wrongness

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And you continue on your path of wrongness

We're not gonna agree on this -- you continue to support films that are of low quality (Shakespeare in Love, the worst "Best Picture" in the history of the Academy Awards), and redundant (Annie Hall, directed by the worst director in Hollywood this side of Uwe Boll -- at least Boll doesn't cast himself in the lead of each of his films), whereas I support films that have lasting appeal with a wide audience.

On a side note, no one will EVER be able to convince me Annie Hall was a better film that Star Wars. Having seen both films, it's no contest -- Star Wars was a better film, and this fact has been proven by their longevity.

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Yeah, that makes sense...

What doesn't make sense?

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

What doesn't make sense?

Godfather is #2 and you say it should be higher.
Then you say Citizen Kane should be #1

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Godfather is #2 and you say it should be higher.
Then you say Citizen Kane should be #1

Oh, yeah --- oops.
I misread and thought Godfather was lower than #2, my bad. Should be Citizen Kane #1, Godfather #2.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

We're not gonna agree on this -- you continue to support films that are of low quality (Shakespeare in Love, the worst "Best Picture" in the history of the Academy Awards), and redundant (Annie Hall, directed by the worst director in Hollywood this side of Uwe Boll -- at least Boll doesn't cast himself in the lead of each of his films), whereas I support films that have lasting appeal with a wide audience.

Change that "high quality". Not like they just made it onto the list. Both in the Top 30 (Annie Hall as 6th). Yeah, I'd consider your opinion of them as 'low quality' to be wrongheaded. Very much so.