American Society Of Cinematographers Unveils Its Top 10 Best Shot Films Of All Time List

Ever had that argument where you’ve discussed the greatest shot movie of all time or wondered who was the greatest cinematographer of all time? Well, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the elite professional organization comprised of cinematographers at the top of their field, have helped to weigh in on that everlasting conversation.

Celebrating its 100^th anniversary today, to mark the occasion, the Society released their members’ list of 100 Milestone Films in the art and craft of cinematography of the 20th century. The list is the first of its kind to showcase the best of cinematography as selected by professional cinematographers.

The list culminates in a Top 10.

1. Lawrence of Arabia (1962), shot by Freddie Young, BSC (Dir. David Lean)

2. Blade Runner (1982), shot by Jordan Cronenweth, ASC (Dir. Ridley Scott)

3. Apocalypse Now (1979), shot by Vittorio Storaro, ASC, AIC (Dir. Francis Ford Coppola)

4. Citizen Kane (1941), shot by Gregg Toland, ASC (Dir. Orson Wells)

5. The Godfather (1972), shot by Gordon Willis, ASC (Dir. Francis Ford Coppola)

6. Raging Bull (1980), shot by Michael Chapman, ASC (Dir. Martin Scorsese)

7. The Conformist (1970), shot by Vittorio Storaro, ASC, AIC (Dir. Bernardo Bertolucci)

8. Days of Heaven (1978), shot by Néstor Almendros, ASC (Dir. Terrence Malick)

9. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), shot by Geoffrey Unsworth, BSC with additional photography by John Alcott, BSC (Dir. Stanley Kubrick)

10. The French Connection (1971), shot by Owen Roizman, ASC (Dir. William Friedkin)

Only one cinematographer is on the list twice and that’s legendary Italian DP Vittorio Storraro who shot Francis Ford Coppola‘s “Apocalypse Now,” and the still somewhat-unsung “The Conformist,” by the late Bernardo Bertolluci (if this isn’t further proof of its majesty, I don’t know what is). Coppola is the only director with two films on the list, the aforementioned Vietnam hearts-of-darkness odyssey and “The Godfather” shot by the great Gordon Willis.

A “best shot film” is arguably a combination of direction, DP and crew, so it’s interesting to see some of the well-considered greatest cinematographers of all time— Sven Nykvist, Haskell Wexler, Jack Cardiff, Vilmos Zsigmond, James Wong Howe, Conrad L. Hall, to name a few—not on the list, but perhaps it’s a reminder that a memorably beautiful film has to be a classic one too.

The lists were voted on by ASC members who wanted to call attention to the most significant achievements of cinematographic art. The selected films represent a range of styles, eras, and visual artistry, but most importantly, the lists commemorate films that are inspirational to ASC members, and have exhibited enduring influence on generations of filmmakers.

ASC was founded by 15 cinematographers in 1919 and has been a professional cornerstone for the men and women who oversee the photography of motion pictures and television through the masterful manipulation of lighting, composition, color and camera movement.

The full list of 100 Milestone Films — and accompanying photos and extended captions for the Top 10 Best Shot Films — can be found on the American Cinematographer Instagram and Facebook accounts, and at www.theasc.com. Trailers and or clips from all the films below and in case you haven’t seen them already, this might be the friendly reminder to do so immediately.

https://vimeo.com/116336220

https://vimeo.com/89819803

https://vimeo.com/110766187

https://vimeo.com/185194919