Films shot in B&W 16mm/35mm

L

leaftors

Well-known member
I need some inspiration for my 16mm assignment and would like to watch some B&W film shot on film.

Can you suggest some good films with good cinematography
 
Anything B&W before 1955-60, since that was when many films were done in B&W so the skill was there. After 1960 or so, color became the 'in' thing, and B&W started becoming more infrequently used, and often used in ways which communicated something other than B&W technical 'greatness'... such as using B&W, grainy, to give a more 'news' reportage, or 'war' film look, or some sort of surreal effect. It's been a very long time, but "Putney Swope"(1969) was shot predominantly in B&W. The story centers on an 'ad agency', and when the TV ad's play, they are in color...

I'd recommend the usual suspects... as mentioned, "The Third Man"(1949), "Citizen Kane"(1941), "A Touch of Evil"(1958). For a 'different' look, "All About Eve"(1951). For Comedy, "Road to Rio"(1947).

The problem with the last one, may be that because it was a comedy, not much was done in the transfer to maintain 'quality'... but you may be able to see a more cheap setup and flat lighting example. (Jules Dassin was actually born Julius Dassin in US and began his career in the US, but left during the McCarthy era and was able to restart eventually in France.)

In addition, many TV shows up until the late 60's were shot on 'film', typically B&W, and then transferred to video. The "I Love Lucy" early 50's show was shot with 3 film cameras on B&W stock.

Later Welles work also uses B&W, such as "The Trial"(1962). Other 'european' examples would be "Rififi"(1955) and also by Jules Dassin, "Never on a Sunday"(1960). "The Trial" is good also for 'confined spaces' techniques.

And of course, "Psycho"(1960).
 
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"Paper Moon" and "The Elephant Man" are also excellent examples of superb B&W cinematography and finishing (timing and printing).
The "silver crisis" in the '70s (less silver in the emulsion) and the practice of "hot souping" (developing at a higher temperature to increase throughput in the processing machines) certainly didn't help the art of B&W cinematography at that time. In fact, "standard" filter combos used for B&W had to be re-tested before a shoot due to the aforementioned problems because they just didn't have the same effect as they did with the older stocks and developing.
Sadly, except for some still photographers currently using classic processes, great B&W is becoming a lost art.

Ken
 
'Schindler's List'
Parts of 'I'm Not There'.
Elephant Man.
Clerks.
Coffee and Cigarettes.
Raging Bull.
Rumble Fish.
Kafka.
Young Frankenstein.

Citizen Kane
M
Metropolis
The Third Man
The Lady From Shanghai
 
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Dr Strangelove: Or How I Stopped Worrying and Began to Love the Bomb
Purely stunning film. Had the chance to see the restored print on the big screen last year.
 
Thanks guys you've been very informative! I appreciate the help. Would anyone know any surreal films with great set/in camera special effects?
 
leaftors said:
Thanks guys you've been very informative! I appreciate the help. Would anyone know any surreal films with great set/in camera special effects?
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Guy Maddin springs to mind, check out 'the saddest music in the world' or any of his stuff really
 
No one mentioned Casablanca? It's just been restored, the blu-ray is outstanding! It really showcases the cinematography. Sound's not bad either for the time.
 
Most of the Kurasawa films were shot in B/W. 7th samurai, rashamon, etc. His use of different environment and multiple cameras are still being taught today in many film schools.
 
Bruce Watson said:
No one mentioned Casablanca? It's just been restored, the blu-ray is outstanding! It really showcases the cinematography. Sound's not bad either for the time.
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Yep~

Lot's of great oldies!

Go really far back to Sunrise (1927) and see great use of forced perspective, models, and other camera tricks.
 
Francis Ford Coppola put out a film a few years back called "TETRO". I'm real into the cinematography in the film as well. Here's the trailer
 
TETRO is a wonderful film, with fabulous digital cinematography. (And it's interesting Coppola used B&W for a location that's so colorful, but it suits the story very well.)
 
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