The Beginner's Guide to David Lean's 6 Best Films

David Lean's films shaped cinema as we know it: his stories inspired Spielberg, Scorsese, and generations of filmmakers. From box office smashes to deeply personal projects, here's why Lean's best work is still unmatched decades later.

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0:00 - Intro
0:18 - In Which We Serve (1942)
1:05 - Brief Encounter (1945)
1:39 - The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
2:25 - Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
3:13 - Doctor Zhivago (1965)
3:54 - A Passage to India (1984)

#DavidLean #classicmovies #1940sfilms #warfilms #LawrenceofArabia

[Blunderman-rlhc]

I love David Lean. He was a defining figure in "epic cinema" and his films are full of gorgeous cinematography. Those who watch his films will also enjoy seeing a lot of Alec Guinness (he appeared in six of his movies). My personal favorite of his films is Bridge on the River Kwai. Definitely in my top 20 favorite movies of all time.

[topogigio]

GREAT EXPECTATIONS is in my opinion his finest film. Absolutely perfect in every way.

[daudder]

Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, and A Passage to India...amazingly great films. Look great, tell compelling stories and offer film-making expertise.

[pedrolorenzo]

Hobson`s Choice is a great film too that should have been at least mentioned

[denhamable]

Watching Lawrence tonight. A yearly treat. Brilliant on every level.

[KaranKumar-eern]

5 minutes ago I just completed the movie lowerence of the Arabia for the first time, and got on youtube to learn more about the director and his other movies, thanks for making this video.❤

[chopinho]

Didn’t even mention Hobson’s Choice or This Happy Breed - both just wonderful.

[williambowman]

Summertime is a vastly underrated romance story. It’s not epic, it’s not earthshaking but it’s an honest story of a mature love that no one does not enjoy. The use of color, set, and camera add to a remarkable performance from Katherine Hepburn.. It may not be the equal of his epics but it’s a super movie and should be rediscovered.

[willhemmings]

Lean's films of the 1940's and 50's were unremarkable? Great Expectations is said to be one of the best Dickens adaptations and Oliver Twist not far behind

[PeterSmith-goef]

His visual eye is phenomenal, I personally love Oliver Twist first among his movies, followed by Lawrence Of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. A truly great Director.

[johnkrieger]

"Hobson's Choice" was the best of his early films and one of his three best overall---the others are "The Bridge" and "Lawrence".

[kenrickhadley]

GOD, how i grew up on David Lean. Oh THAT LOOK, that so many directors today strive for.

[monichat]

I saw DOCTOR ZHIVAGO more than 20 times

[ANDREWWILKINSON-klum]

The six I would pick This Happy Breed, Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. All would make my top 100 films (as would Hobson's Choice)

[philipfritz-fx]

I still can't decide between Laurence and Kwai as the greatest movie of all time.

[nestoreliogarcia]

Doctor Zhivago fue filmada en España y le costó a Lean conseguir productor.Carlo Ponti la produjo y sigue dando ganancias .

[pankajshah]

Undoubtedly one of the greatest British director of all time followed by Carol Reed.Among the best movies Brief Encounter n Lawrence of Arabia has slender edge.

[richardking]

So, which were his six best films, then? This names more than that, more like ten. To dismiss his take on Great Expectations is frankly astonishing. This is generally said to be the best Dickens adaptation on film! No mean feat. The opening scene of Pip meeting Magwitch is outstanding! No other version comes close. A Passage to India wasn’t the success it might have been. The central event in the visit to the Caves is fudged, spoiling the subsequent court scenes, while Guiness as the Indian is utterly miscast in a surprising blackface misstep. I’m no fan of Brief Encounter, either, as the leads are so utterly downbeat in their roles. I find myself shouting at them to cheer up and show some positivity. They’re almost breaking down in tears at liking each other. David Lean is undoubtedly a great British director.

[canadiannuclearman]

Dr. Shivago was my fav. For many years. Why it is not on the list of some top 100 film is stramge

[nelespina]

I don't think that Lean's films of the 1940's and 50's were unremarkable. Please see Hobson's Choice (1954), Summertime (1955) and The passionate Friends (1949). I adore Hobson's for instance. These miss are especially relevant when you recommend films to people who has not watched any of his movies.