A film's longevity

[bruce southerland]

I was just watching again the film THE EXORSIST, and the film really holds up well even today-even though it was filmed in 1973. I have my ideas about why certain films don't feel "dated"
when watched years later. Other's thoughts?

 

[Batutta]

I was just watching again the film THE EXORSIST, and the film really holds up well even today-even though it was filmed in 1973. I have my ideas about why certain films don't feel "dated"
when watched years later. Other's thoughts?

The cinematography is very naturalistic, using available light or natural seeming light sources, so it doesn't have that fake studio look alot of older films do. The film also has a very subdued score, and no music that was modern for 1973, so I'm sure that helps as well. Acting styles are also very understated and realistic...And then of course a good story is always a good story...A much older film that holds up for me story wise is White Heat. A lot of older films have a slower storytelling pace compared to modern films. That's fine, but you have to shift gears as a viewer. But I remarked when I first saw White Heat how it was paced like a modern film, very swift with little fat.

 

[Jawa Ex Machina]

I might get beat up on a cinematographer forum for saying this, but if you have a well told story and the style of everything filmmaking related is suited to the story, the movie will always be worth watching.
Even if the camera work, lighting, acting styles, hairdos and score become dated.

In 20 years, family guy will be completely irrelevant (at least today's episodes), but South Park will still work. The difference is that South Park episodes stand on their own. You don't have to have seen STAND AND DELIVER to get the episode where Cartman dresses up like Edward James Olmos and becomes a teacher.

 

[Batutta]

I might get beat up on a cinematographer forum for saying this, but if you have a well told story and the style of everything filmmaking related is suited to the story, the movie will always be worth watching.
Even if the camera work, lighting, acting styles, hairdos and score become dated.

I don't think he was debating that, just making an observation that some movies date more easily than others, which is true.

 

[Nektonic]

I agree. I recently purchased the new blu-ray digi-book of The Exorcist, and it is still one of my top 3 favorite horror films. They did a great job on the transfer, and the digi-book package is really nicely designed.

Also, I just picked up that Alien Anthology blu-ray, and watched Alien last night. The film still has lots of tension and just this feeling of dread that horror films these days don't seem to be able to capture anymore. Also, Blade Runner, still feels ahead of its time. Other films that still hold up for me these days are most of Kubrick's films, Apocalypse Now, the original Star Wars trilogy, just to name a few.