237 of 1001 Movies: Roman Holiday (1953)

William Wyler is a classic director with movies like Ben Hur, and the famous Roman Holiday under his belt he will always have a name that is talked about lived through movies that still are mentioned regularly and show often. Wyler is also really great about bringing characters to the screen that are rough in nature, but present traits that are human enough to transcend over time in being easy to relate to for an audience no matter what era you're from. With a lot of notable stars in this Roman Holiday is one of the highlights from the 50's, and a classic.

Summary: Princess Anne is staying in Rome with her guardians to hold a conference where she will address the relations they have with the country. Instead of preparing though she is dreaming of what it would be like to be free to roam Rome. She escapes one night, and falls asleep on a bench. Joe Bradley, a journalist, finds her sleeping there, and gives her a place to rest by letting her sleep at his apartment. As soon as he finds out who is staying with him he is excited about the interview details he could get out of her, but he feels for him to open up to him he must keep it secret that he knows she is the princess, and instead treats her to a day in Rome.

179 of 1001 Movies: Jezebel (1938)

I'm pretty sure that William Wyler ranks in the top of directors. He is the earliest ones of making a great story. I haven't seen a movie so far where he fails to make complex, intriguing characters that you don't forget after watching the movie. This was also the second movie I've seen with Bette Davis, and I can see why her name is known. The lead character, Julie, is probably one of the better female characters I've seen on screen. She is well developed, and I thought very complex as far as how you feel about her.

Summary: Julie is a very strong and stubborn young woman growing up in Antebellum Louisiana.  Society is trying to get her to conform to the ideas of what being a woman during that time is all about. Including being ready for her man, but never disturbing him while he's away, always appearing pure, and not voicing your mind. When she intrudes on her fiance's business meetings, and makes him and her the gossip of a dancing event by wearing red instead of white as the other unmarried girls do, her fiance, Preston, is pushed too far. Now she is set on winning him back no matter what the cost.

92 of 1001 Movies: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

William Wyler would bring the world Ben-Hur over a decade after one of his earlier hits, The Best Years of Our Lives. With an unique and interesting cast you have a lot of great acting that brings out the emotion you need for a film likes this. It's basically completely character driven, and looks at an interesting aspect of being a veteran after World War II that most of us have probably neglected to even consider. The cast though ranges from holding real life parallels to their parts to being a top notch actor meant for the role they are portraying on screen.

Fred, Homer, and Al are three veterans returning home from the war. They are all anxious to see what changes have happened during the years they spent away from their loved ones. Homer has lost his hands, and he is worried about not only how his family will treat him, but his girlfriend he had hoped to marry. Fred left a new wife just as the war started, and he is the only one who seems more excited than nervous to see what awaits him when he gets home, but once arriving he's found his wife has essentially moved on in his absence. There is also Al, who has been married twenty years, and has two children. They have grown and matured though, and he is confused by how he will fit into the new dynamics of his family. On top of this they struggle to move forward with jobs, and love as they learn their new place in society as veterans.

85 of 1001 Movies: Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur is one of the earliest epic films. It's the beginning of a long of epic tales to follow it, and it beautifully weaves in the story of Christ through the story of Ben-Hur. The subtle messages, and the very likable Charlton Heston make it a great watch. Though I'm still wondering why in the 6th grade this was apart of the curriculum to be shown to us. They had a day set aside each year for 6th graders to watch. While entertaining at that age the message, and beauty of the movie was missed on me.

Judah Ben-Hur and Messala are long time friends, but when they are reunited there is an instant riff between them as Messala has changed. He is now a Roman soldier, and has some deep set feelings against the Jews, which is Ben-Hur's heritage. When Messala recognizes his friend's defense of his people a barrier is made between them, and he sets him up for plotting a murder. Ben-Hur is sentenced into slavery, and his family taken away to prison. A turn of events has him regaining his freedom, and seeking revenge on the man that betrayed leading up to a grand finale of redemption and loss.