What is the best film of 1957?

By IQ Score on TV Intelligentsia, 12 Angry Men, The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, and Paths of Glory anchor the year — all canonical Masterclass-tier work. Throne of Blood (Kurosawa) and Sweet Smell of Success round out the canonical entries.

Why is 1957 considered a canonical year?

1957 saw Bergman release two of his most-canonical entries in the same year (The Seventh Seal AND Wild Strawberries), Kubrick's first major masterwork (Paths of Glory), Kurosawa's canonical Macbeth adaptation (Throne of Blood), and Sidney Lumet's directorial debut (12 Angry Men). The most-densely-canonical year of the 1950s.

Is 1957 better than 1939 or 1962?

Defensible argument. 1957 wins on European-art-cinema density (Bergman x2, Kubrick, Kurosawa). 1939 wins on Hollywood-classical-studio-system commercial peak. 1962 wins on global-cinema convergence. Each canonical year demonstrates a different mode of cinematic excellence.

Cinema · 1957 Ranked

Best Films of 1957, Ranked by IQ Score

The single year European art-cinema and prestige Hollywood peaked simultaneously. The films of 1957, ranked by IQ Score.

1957 is one of the most-canonical single years in mid-20th-century cinema. 12 Angry Men, The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Paths of Glory, Throne of Blood, Sweet Smell of Success — all released within twelve months.

The structural argument for 1957-as-canonical-year: Bergman released two of his most-canonical entries in the same year (The Seventh Seal AND Wild Strawberries). Kubrick released his first major masterwork (Paths of Glory). Kurosawa released his canonical Macbeth adaptation (Throne of Blood). Sidney Lumet's directorial debut (12 Angry Men) defined the chamber-piece courtroom drama. The most-densely-canonical year of the 1950s.

7 titles · ranked by IQ Score