We are living in an age of technology and everything is controlled by technology: we communicate via technology, we read via technology, and the films we watch are full of CGI and 3D effects.

Let’s face it technology is great but this article looks back at the films classed as classics and made the careers of Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Vivienne Leigh and more.

The Godfather Part 1

I have met people who are caught up with this new age of film that they have never watched The Godfather Trilogy. You won’t know good films until you watch it. This film is the epitome of classic and Al Pacino on the map, to say the least. The Godfather is famously based on Mario Puzo’s novel and is a film about the Italian mafia in the US, which also stars Marlon Brando. It focuses on family loyalty, betrayal and all things gangsta. It is regarded as one of the greatest films in the cinema world and has created some iconic scenes (the horse’s head in the bed rings to mind). If you’re a film fan, it is a must see and if your just looking for something to watch then this film will keep you gripped and have you watching the next two films straight after.

The Shawshank Redemption

This is another great film with great actors. This film is about a man (Tim Robbins) convicted of murdering his adulterous wife and her lover. He is then sentenced to serve two life sentences at Shawshank prison. During his time here he befriends Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman) and whilst he helps the prison guards commit tax evasion. Without revealing too much, this is film shows the true meaning of friendship and support. It is a film, which you will be guaranteed to watch over and over, and will never tire of it.

Gone with the Wind

This is an old school film, which was set during the American Civil war and filmed in 1939. It famously stars Clark Gable and Vivienne Leigh and received a whopping ten academy awards. The film is split into two parts: the first part focuses on Leigh’s character, Scarlett O’Hara and her family, who are wealthy and celebrating just before the civil war breaks out. In the film you lavish Victorian dresses and the elegance of grand houses. The second part focuses on the effect the civil war is having on the rich and sees Leigh bring out some magnificent acting. After the war Scarlett eventually marries Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) but all is not so well. There are moments of tragedy, family bonds being broken and renewed and wealth being taken and restored to follow. It’s an incredibly long film, but worth sitting through.

The Breakfast Club

I love the 80s films and am a 80s kid at heart. This film starts Molly Ringwald in John Hughes’ coming of age comedy-drama. This film is about a group of teens that are in school on a Saturday for detention. The group has all the stereotypes of a typical American school: the jock, the geek, the freak, the rebel and the princess. It’s a film about rebelling and causing mischief, which is also a fun-filled film perfect for a chilled out evening.