This month Foxtel Movies Greats takes a trip back in time and celebrates some of the most iconic films, as they reach their milestone anniversaries, from Psycho which celebrates its 60-year anniversary to Gladiator celebrating its 20-year anniversary.
Psycho, the 1960 American psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock is now considered one of his best films. Celebrating its 60-year anniversary in September this year, the film was nominated for four Oscars including Hitchcock for Best Director. Actress Janet Leigh won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and an Oscar nomination for her role as Marion Crane, a secretary who abruptly leaves her job after stealing $40,000 from her employer and checks into the secluded Bates Motel, run by shy and awkward Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins).
M*A*S*H, the 1970 Black comedy War film directed by Richard Altman about the staff of a Korean War field hospital who use humour and high jinx to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of War, recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary in March this year. The only theatrically released feature film in the M*A*S*H franchise, the film won an Oscar for Writing/Screenplay (Ring Lardner Jr.) and a further four nominations including Best Picture and Director for Robert Altman and three Golden Globe wins for Best Picture, Director and Best Actor for Elliott Gould.
The 1980 American cult musical comedy, The Blues Brothers, based on characters developed from the recurring musical sketch on Saturday Night Live, stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues. The brothers set out on a “mission from God” to save the foreclosure of their old orphanage by bringing their blues band back together, but they seem to make more enemies along the way.
Celebrating its 40-year anniversary in June, the film featured appearances by James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin and became a cult movie that changed Soul & Blues music forever.
Goodfellas, the 1990 American crime film directed by Academy Award winning Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci exposes the fascinating, mysterious and violent underworld of New York’s Mafia families through the life of insider Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he rises from small-time thug mobster under the guidance of De Niro’s character Jimmy.
Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in September, Joe Pesci won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and received a further five Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress for Lorraine Bracco and Best Director Martin Scorsese.
Gladiator, the epic scale American historical film which won critical accolades, stars Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, the powerful Roman general who is betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) who murders his father and seizes the throne and is reduced to slavery. Maximus is trained as a gladiator and rises to challenge the empire and avenge the murders of his family and the emperor.
Winning five Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Russell Crowe and a further five nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Director for Ridley Scott, the film celebrates its 20-year anniversary in May.
Remember When….
Sunday May 3: Psycho (1960) 60 years ago
A Phoenix secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh and Vera Miles.
Sunday May 10: M*A*S*H (1970) 50 years ago
The staff of a Korean War field hospital use humour and high jinx to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of War. Stars Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould and Tom Skerritt.
Sunday May 17: The Blues Brothers (1980) 40 years ago
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised. Stars John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Cab Calloway.
Sunday May 24: Goodfellas (1990) 30 years ago
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito in the Italian American crime syndicate. Stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci.
Sunday May 31: Gladiator (2000) 20 years ago
A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. Stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen.
Remember When…every Sunday night from this Sunday May 3 on Foxtel Movies Greats and stream on Foxtel NOW.
