Topic: 1950s

Direction Francis Ford Coppola

Cast Marlon Brando · Al Pacino · James Caan · Robert Duvall

Synopsis The Godfather (1972) chronicles the saga of a powerful 1940s New York crime family as they navigate the challenges of maintaining their criminal empire amidst shifting leadership. Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), the patriarch and head of the family, faces a...

Direction Francis Ford Coppola

Cast Al Pacino · Robert De Niro · Diane Keaton · Robert Duvall

Synopsis The Godfather: Part II (1974) delves into the ongoing chronicle of the Corleone family, as they expand their empire to Nevada and focus on the lucrative casino industry. Under the command of Michael, who becomes increasingly suspicious and ruthless, the...

Direction Frank Darabont

Cast Tim Robbins · Morgan Freeman · Bob Gunton · James Whitmore

Synopsis The Shawshank Redemption (1994) follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is convicted and sentenced to two back-to-back life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover in the late 1940s, despite his innocence. Andy, a reserved...

Direction Gillo Pontecorvo

Cast Jean Martin · Yacef Saadi · Brahim Haggiag · Fusia El Kader

Synopsis The Battle of Algiers (1966) is a compelling cinematic exploration of the Algerian War of Independence, commissioned by the Algerian government. The narrative delves into the perspectives of both the French colonial forces and the Algerian revolutionaries. The French Foreign...

Direction Zhang Yimou

Cast Gong Li · Ge You · Jiang Wu · Niu Ben

Synopsis To Live (1994) follows the journey of Fugui, a man from a once-affluent family whose life takes a dramatic turn due to his gambling addiction and a streak of misfortune. He loses his family home in a dice game with...

Direction John Frankenheimer

Cast Burt Lancaster · Karl Malden · Neville Brand · Thelma Ritter

Synopsis Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) follows the compelling journey of Robert Stroud, portrayed by Burt Lancaster, a convicted murderer confined to the notorious Alcatraz prison. Stroud's life takes an unexpected turn when he nurses a sick bird that finds its way...

Direction Kim Dong-won

Synopsis Repatriation (2003) delves into the intricate and emotional journey of a 12-year relationship between the director and North Korean spies who were captured and held in South Korea. The documentary vividly portrays their hardships, their eventual journey back to North...

Direction Peter Bogdanovich

Cast Timothy Bottoms · Jeff Bridges · Cybill Shepherd · Ben Johnson

Synopsis The Last Picture Show (1971) unfolds as a poignant coming-of-age narrative set in the 1950s, centering around the lives of best friends Sonny Crawford (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane Jackson (Jeff Bridges). The story delves into their evolving relationships and personal...

Direction Zhang Yimou

Cast Zhang Ziyi · Sun Honglei · Hao Zheng · Yuelin Zhao

Synopsis The Road Home (1999) follows Luo Yusheng (Sun Honglei), who journeys back to his rural hometown, Sanheutun, to assist his elderly mother in organizing a traditional funeral for his late father. The narrative delves into the emotional journey of Luo...

Direction Saverio Costanzo

Cast Margherita Mazzucco · Elisa Del Genio · Gaia Girace · Ludovica Nasti

Synopsis My Brilliant Friend (TV Series) (2018) follows the life of Elena Greco, an elderly woman who embarks on a journey to uncover the mystery of her closest friend, Lila, who has seemingly disappeared. Living in a house filled with books,...

Direction Hayao Miyazaki

Synopsis My Neighbor Totoro (1988) follows the enchanting journey of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who relocate to a rural countryside home with their father to be near their ailing mother. As they explore their new surroundings, the sisters stumble...

Direction Curtis Hanson

Cast Guy Pearce · Russell Crowe · Kevin Spacey · Kim Basinger

Synopsis L.A. Confidential (1997) is a gripping crime drama set in the early 1950s, where the allure of Los Angeles attracts hopefuls seeking fame and fortune. However, beneath the glamorous surface lies a dark underbelly of corruption, violence, and political intrigue....

Direction Amy Sherman-Palladino · Daniel Palladino · Scott Ellis · Jamie Babbit

Cast Rachel Brosnahan · Alex Borstein · Tony Shalhoub · Marin Hinkle

Synopsis The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV Series) (2017) is a captivating television series set in the vibrant and dynamic world of 1950s Manhattan. The story revolves around Miriam "Midge" Maisel, portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan, a former Upper West Side housewife who...

Direction Louis Malle

Cast Lea Massari · Benoît Ferreux · Daniel Gélin · Michael Lonsdale

Synopsis Murmur of the Heart (1971) is a delightful tale of adolescence centered around Laurent Chevalier, a 15-year-old boy navigating his way through life in the affluent surroundings of Dijon, France, during the mid-1950s. Unlike contemporary American narratives, Laurent's experiences, which...

Direction Scott Frank · Allan Scott

Cast Anya Taylor-Joy · Isla Johnston · Annabeth Kelly · Bill Camp

Synopsis The Queen's Gambit (TV Miniseries) (2020) is a captivating 7-episode series set in 1950s Kentucky. It follows the journey of Beth Harmon, an eight-year-old orphan who initially seems unexceptional. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers the...

Direction Peter Weir

Cast Robin Williams · Robert Sean Leonard · Ethan Hawke · Josh Charles

Synopsis Dead Poets Society (1989) follows the journey of introverted Todd Anderson, who is enrolled in the prestigious prep school where his esteemed older brother once excelled. Todd's roommate, Neil, is a brilliant and well-liked student, but he is heavily influenced...

Direction Marco Tullio Giordana

Cast Luigi Lo Cascio · Tony Sperandeo · Ninni Bruschetta · Lucia Sardo

Synopsis The Hundred Steps (2000) unfolds in Sicily during the mid-1950s, focusing on the small town of Cinisi in the Palermo province. This town is notable for its airport, Punta Raisi, which serves as a hub for local Mafia activities. Young...

Direction Martin Scorsese

Cast Leonardo DiCaprio · Mark Ruffalo · Ben Kingsley · Emily Mortimer

Synopsis Shutter Island (2010) is a gripping psychological thriller adapted from Dennis Lehane's novel, set in the year 1954. The story follows Leonardo DiCaprio as a U.S. Marshal tasked with solving the puzzling vanishing of a female patient from a psychiatric...

Direction Tim Burton

Cast Johnny Depp · Martin Landau · Patricia Arquette · Sarah Jessica Parker

Synopsis Ed Wood (1994) presents the whimsical and comedic tale of Ed Wood, portrayed by Johnny Depp, who is widely regarded as one of the most eccentric and inept film directors in cinematic history. Directed by the renowned Tim Burton, the...

Direction James Ivory

Cast Anthony Hopkins · Emma Thompson · James Fox · Christopher Reeve

Synopsis The Remains of the Day (1993) follows the meticulous life of Stevens, a dedicated and reserved head butler in a grand English household. His ordered world is disrupted by the arrival of a new housekeeper, Miss Kenton, who develops feelings...