Apocalypse Now named 'best of last 30 years'
Apocalypse Now named 'best of the last 30 years'
Tuesday, 01, Dec 2009 12:01
By Maria Tonelli.
Apocalypse Now has been hailed the best film of the last 30 years by the London Film Critics' Circle.
Francis Ford Coppola's film on the Vietnam war, inspired by Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, clinched the title in a poll held by the London Critics to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their annual film awards, beating Schindler's List into second place.
The film was voted the best previous winner from a poll that took in the winners of all categories, including British and foreign films, since the ceremony began in 1980.
The top 10 was as follows:
1 Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1980)
2 Schindler's List (Steven Spielberg, 1994)
3 The Lives of Others (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2007)
4 Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood, 1992)
5 Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005)
6 Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1990)
7 LA Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997)
8 Fargo (Joel Coen, 1996)
9 Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1989)
10 The King of Comedy (Martin Scorsese, 1983)
Chairman of the Film Critics' Circle Jason Solomons said: "I'm delighted that such a powerful and brilliant film as Apocalypse Now has won the enduring admiration of the London critics.
"Coppola's towering film is a worthy winner and clearly its anti-war message, monumental performances and dazzling film making technique have stood the test of time, making it as relevant to critics today as it was when it won Best Film at our first awards ceremony, 30 years ago."
The next annual awards will take place on February 18th 2010 in aid of the NSPCC at London's Landmark Hotel.
The Critics' Circle is the oldest critics' organisation in the world and the London Film Critics' Awards ceremony, supporting the NSPCC for 15 years, is the only one of its kind that benefits a charity.