The Best Cinematography I've Ever Seen

[@micahstailey9531]

My great-grandfather, Alfred Junge, was the production designer on Black Narcissus (as well as A Matter of Life and Death) and won an Oscar for his work. Thank you for recognizing this beautiful film.

[@CIVILISATIONVIDEO]

One of the best-looking films ever made. Those matte painting backdrops are masterpieces in themselves.

[@VHrules69]

Auto-correct may have done you a disservice big dawg (Junge not Judge)

[@ThomasFlight]

Incredibly beautiful film. well deserved oscar win!

[@FauxRomano]

A Matter of Life and Death is such a lovely, great film. Heck yeah

[@fatwoul]

Do you still have the Oscar? What does it taste like?

[@OldBluesChapterandVerse]

“It’s hard to be cynical when you’re looking at something beautiful.” So freaking true, my friend. Thank you for reminding me of that.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

I loved this! Was expecting some beautiful shots (which you obviously delivered on), but I found the writing to be equally astounding; the section on beauty especially was just amazing in how it articulated that ineffable quality of cinema that is so vital to its essence yet so hard to put into words... but somehow you made it seem easy!

[@DamjanB52]

"Beautiful shots, writing equally astounding" - yes, but too dense: clips and commentary going by too fast, wrestling attention away from each other ..

[@mrink8822]

Good cinematography is seamless, when you're watching a movie, you don't notice how good it is. But on a rewatch, or in a video like this that highlights it, I just realized how beautiful and well-shot these scenes are

[@katiec-g3793]

I looove noticing cinematography that wants to be noticed (and does a good job at the same time) BC I'm greedy Ike that

[@ThomasFlight]

We love cinematography that sneaks up on us. ;)

[@힐만94]

sometimes it's just our television, laptop or mobile phone that can't capture the beauty, because it is supposed to be watched on wide screen/cinema... i remember watching gravity at movie theater and then later on dvd.. it's still beautiful but it has less vibes of awesomeness...

[@royfr8136]

Exactly. If it is intrusive - then it isn't doing its job, which is to simply communicate the story.

[@rics1883]

I love when Cinematography reflects the inner architecture of the character. Movie 'Tar' is a great example. Excellent cinematography.

[@Malcolm___7]

My all-time favorite bit of cinematography is Deakins' shot of the descent into the arroyo in Sicario. Just a shockingly cool and beautiful moment.

[@nrinka]

and the border scene too! just lovely

[@Michael_Underhill]

One film that requires a mention in this conversation is Vertigo, my personal favorite Hitchcock. So many stunning images in rich Technicolor that give the film an overall dreamlike atmosphere.

[@marquesmartinez730]

The shot in The Graduate when his girlfriend realizes the truth of who Ben is seeing…that rack focus may be my favorite single shot in all of cinema

[@ThomasFlight]

Such a genius little move, perfect for the moment.

[@SolamenteVees]

I’m a wildlife photographer, have won a few awards… but the depth of artistry in filmmaking is worlds ahead of what I do. I love your channel & content.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

Road to Perdition is my favorite cinematography ever. Some of the scenes are just perfectly shot and creative that I can’t imagine doing better. Haven’t seen the movie in a while but my favorite scenes (don’t read if u haven’t seen the film): 1. The kid watching the warehouse shooting 2. hanks character arriving home to find his wife and a son dead - camera stays on the other kid the whole times 3. The AMAZING in the rain shooting of the boss 4. The finale - Hanks being shot. There were more but those 4 scenes really stick out as amazing.

[@NewsGuyFred]

100% agree. It’s just loaded with memorable scenes from a cinematography standpoint. The shooting at the diner also stands out for me

[@swampert564]

@@Homer-OJ-Simpson It has a very well deserved Oscar. Also it's perhaps the best comicbook movie ever made. Great film.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@swampert564 funny story, I was describing to friends how great the cinematography was in Road Perdition and we began talking about our favorite cinematography of older films. I brought up Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid…then I looked it up to see who was the cinematographer and it was the same from Road to Perdition! Then I noticed he did lots of other great work in popular movies!

[@swampert564]

@@Homer-OJ-Simpson Cool Hand Luke too. I wonder if Paul Newman had some pull in his career or if it was simply coincidence.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@swampert564 omg, can’t be a coincidence that Newman was in all 3! The cinematographer is Conrad Hall…also did American Beauty! Some of the best work ever.

[@stevenmackay8053]

Among my favorite work by a cinematographer is James Wong Howe's shots for "Seconds" and "Sweet Smell of Success."

[@ptose]

true, altough my favorite part for Seconds is the part of the titles made by Saul Bass

[@jonathankim3483]

Decision to Leave has some of the best, most creative cinematography I've ever seen. Would've loved to see some of those shots in the Movement portion of the video. As always, great content breaking down what makes cinema what it is.

[@dipperdandy]

Park Chan-wook is such an interesting director to me. Many of his films, for the first half I am struggling to follow the story and the characters and trying to keep track of what is happening. And usually I SHOULD be frustrated by this, but I am so involved in the WAY things are happening and how they are shot. Then in the third act everything starts coming together and all my struggles and confusions are cleared and there's a pay off that brings almost like a spiritual joy. I really can't describe it. Decision to Leave reminded me a lot of Sympathy For Mr Vengeance in that regard. I spent so much time trying to keep track of who was who and where they were and when it was. But by the end it all made perfect sense and was beautiful (and so heartbreaking).

[@jemkeen]

23:13 as a current architecture student, this is all I needed to hear to confirm my willingness to try and pursue a career in film

[@ThomasFlight]

You should listen to Rick Rubin's interview with Bjarke Ingles on Tetragrammaton. I wrote that section of the essay before I heard the podcast, otherwise I would have referenced him, but he also talks about parallels between architecture and film in a very interesting way!

[@Chiater]

I'm an architect whose kind of obsessed with cinematography and editing, though I've never done either. I have some architect friends who did tv or film for a while. Very cool but kind of frantic schedules and not predictable. Though totally a valid option for career!

[@jemkeen]

@@ThomasFlight Thank you so much for this. I will definitely give it a listen as I am hoping to write my final year dissertation on these topics.

[@Extracredittttt]

​@@Chiater You should watch Columbus! Great film that has love for architecture

[@rahulpiratla]

the script for this video was so eloquent and beautifully written - that, paired with the wonderful choice of music and the fantastic visuals from your selection of movies honestly made me quite emotional while also giving me a surge of inspiration to one day create images like this. thanks for creating such a wonderful video essay!

[@ThomasFlight]

kzbin.info/aero/PLXJ3434wIyxMUpaNoSxoY3F7dsEV_VMsg

[@hernyw6932]

tree of life is one of my favourite films all time and the cinematography is so important and beautiful to me. i personally drew the interpretation of the camera serving as a sort of guardian angel, gliding without restraint and intertwining with the family's emotions and personal space. the same comfort that can be drawn from of course God's reply in the book of Job, highlighting His power and presence and promising to always be with them. love this video

[@katehunter538]

A Hidden Life is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen, in a visual sense, as is the French Dispatch. In a more emotional sense Wings of Desire, The Tree of Life, and American Beauty were exceptionally beautiful. Each of these landed for me at very different points in my life, so they were probably communicating something I was ready to hear and see at those points. I also really appreciate the grubby beauty in Down by Law, which is probably the movie I've rewatched more than any other.

[@TheaMaddieL]

I recently watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire and thought the cinematography was excellent. The shots are so well chosen.

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

It has some of the most beautiful and at the same time best motivated lighting, framing and overall cinematography. The effect is realistic and expressionistic at once, pure class.

[@fenixdown22]

Agree! Definitely inspired by Persona

[@kkattrap]

Claire Mathon is who I was going to mention in the comments. I liked the playful shots in there that broke up an otherwise somber story in some places.

[@toothfully8176]

It conveyed so much intimacy. Felt like I was an intruder on their private love story, somehow spying on them

[@KayButtonJay]

It instantly became one of my favorite movies when I saw it. Definitely Top 10

[@TheMixCurator]

Wong Kar-wai's lighting and feel to many of his films are incredible. Believe a number of scenes from Chungking Express were shot without permits, and with members of the public walking into shots. Well worth going through all of his filmography (esp if you get the scan versions of the film prints - the colour palette is so good - reminds me of old Kodak film) Another film that I thought was beautifully shot was Alfonso Cuarón's Roma (2018). There's a scene on the rooftops were all the maids are cleaning bed sheets, and its stuck with me for years.

[@xavvi]

Roma is utterly gorgeous. They found a way to add so much depth and character to black and white

[@johndoderino2609]

About "Days of heaven", should be noted that Haskell Wexler was brought in later in the production as a DP, he ended up shooting what amounted to half of the finished film

[@Scarface_Sam]

Great video. Some of my favorites are: - The Double Life of Veronique - Playtime - Le Samourai - Roma - Past Lives

[@ThomasFlight]

Past Lives might have been the best looking movie from last year. So understated but gorgeous. Also agree on Tati! Some of his work could have easily made it into this video for me.

[@astronom4658]

Agreed. Double life of Veronica, is one of the best movies ever filmed, in my opinion too.

[@alexbrindle8208]

I love the final shot of The Searchers - an image that captures the essence of not just a film, but an entire genre!

[@MistaZULE]

Jarin Blaschke is one of my favourite conematographers for his work with Robert Eggers' three films. There are moments in the VVitch where the trees seem evil, and the forest appears sinister with beautiful natural light and this monotone oppressive grey you can feel almost enveloping the characters. Or in the Lighthouse where Pattison's character is almost swallowed by the light at the climax and his features almsot disappear in the blinding white. Or in the Northman where entire scenes are filmed indoors (with historically accurate construction methods) with no windows and only the light of the fire illuminating the scene. I always return to Eggers' films amazed at the beauty of each individual frame.

[@swampert564]

In The Mood For Love might be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Loved the homage to it in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

[@missk8tie]

Yes! I saw it once in college and it made such an impression that I recognized the intended homage in EEAAO once they were in the alley. Beautiful.

[@swampert564]

@@missk8tie He's got such a recognizable style. There are directors that are flashier but there is just something otherworldly about Wong Kar Wai's work. When my wife and I saw EEAAO in theaters, I remember her asking me later what that sequence was referencing. It had such a unique vibe that she knew it must be a homage to something well known. We watched In The Mood For Love (and also Chungking Express) over the next couple of nights. Beautiful stuff.

[@xavvi]

Agreed. I watched In The Mood For Love and felt something strange stir in me, like I all of a sudden understood art better or something. It's so strikingly beautiful.

[@carlosfandango2419]

Like you, I always come back to Terrence Malik when I want to become emotionally involved with a film. The Thin Red Line, Tree of Life or Knight of Cups are all examples of great cinematography but also beautiful soundtracks, glimpses of nature and very personal moments. The very reason I watch movies.

[@user-eg8yc8ew2b]

Knight of cups has my second favourite film soundtrack of all time, the first being The girl with the dragon tattoo 2011

[@jmalmsten]

I love the images and the noises of Malicks films... I just can't stand the dialogs and narration.

[@yrwestillhere]

The Red Balloon (1956) hit all he right notes for me, simplicity of story, colour, composition, movement. I still can't get over it.

[@astronom4658]

Agreed. Unforgettable movie.

[@johns123]

One hugely underrated director is Masahiro Shinoda. His black-and-white films Pale Flower, Assassination, and Double Suicide are drop-dead gorgeous. I cannot recommend them enough

[@withalskraai]

You included bladerunner 2049 but left out the incredible cinematography of original Bladerunner -- the best cinematography I have ever seen.

[@dtmccrea6367]

I just recently watched a movie for the first time that is the running for best cinematography I've ever seen. Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Like you said about Barry Lyndon in this video, every shot in that film feels like a painting. Which is so fitting not only to the surface level story of the film but also the deeper themes of love and longing

[@Extracredittttt]

I feel like that painting feeling is accentuated by the fact that nothing is ever out of focus in Portrait of a Lady on Fire. There is never a hunt of blur anywhere - everything is crystal clear As if everything in frame was painted or something like that

[@maisiefrench4424]

My list of favourites is too long to choose just one, but a recent favourite of mine has to be the 2011 Hanna. Ticks all the boxes in terms of unusual composition, great lighting, utilising movement, and beautiful scenery. Highly recommend.

[@SiincereARC]

Children of Men, The Fall, Stranger than Fiction not on 4K is almost criminal. Dope Cinematography. If I had the money, I'd also pay for all of Spike Lee's 90s films be fully transferred to 4K (there's only about 2 or 3 of them that were released in UHD).

[@IVUSER]

The Fall is absolutely stunning, but it comes in sacrifice of a weakly-told story (IMO) and characters that you forget 5 min after the credits roll (again, IMO)

[@J.E.W.]

​@@IVUSERand also is mostly a series of homages to shots from other movies

[@KenTWOu]

The Fall was rerelased in 4K on Mubi.

[@SiincereARC]

@@KenTWOu physical release

[@TR6-2.0]

“Güeros” by Alonso Ruizpalacios, cinematography by Damián García. Also, thank you for sharing - grateful for your content, perspectives, and knowledge 🙏🏽.

[@davidpalmer5966]

Thank you for this post which I really enjoyed. Since you asked, a scene that comes to mind is the climax of 'The Battle of Britain' which uses real aeroplanes and an airborne camera to create a swirling aerial ballet, that is not only a realistic depiction of an air battle, but combined with the extraordinary music overlaid by the pilots' radio communications to create something that is not only beautiful but also captures the horror and tragedy of what is happening.

[@Rebehxa]

The first movie that popped into my head when I thought of beautiful shots is Past Lives. Some of this is related to the mise én scene, because the way the shots were blocked and composed lent itself to create such intimate moments. It was also shot in a way where you were seeing things through windows or doors, and it just felt like you were observing something unfold right in front of you. One of my favorite shots is one where you see the MC from a birds eye view, she's walking across the street and we never see her face, but we can see how giddy and excited she is. The camera is placed in such a way that it feels like we are watching a stranger having the best day from our own window. Another one is when the MC and her childhood friend is on a tram or a sub (don't remember), and they're both holding onto a pole. It's zoomed in on their hands that are barely not touching, and that simple shot makes you feel aaaaaaaaallllll the tension. So many more great scenes too, like the ending scene with the observing camera panning. Absolutely lovely

[@1800astra]

Three Colours Trilogy, but especially Red; cinematography by the late Piotr Sobociński. Very, very beautiful.

[@astronom4658]

For me "Blue" is the masterpiece. In fact all movies in the trilogy.

[@sanjaysami4315]

Very honoured to be mentioned in this video !

[@ThomasFlight]

Keep up the great work!

[@matalata]

All the mentioned films are fantastic. One to add is Road to Perdition, a superbly shot film.

[@antoniobronx4955]

Agree that composition is an underrated aspect of great cinematography. Listening to the commentary in the Criterion Collection edition’s of Kurosawa films opened my eyes to how a master uses composition to tell a story and manipulate the viewer’s emotions

[@CaCtuSnyan]

The composition in Memories of Murder is crazy good, definitely one of my favorites

[@AaronSmith-kt2fs]

The Graduate is my favorite movie. Thank you for including it here.

[@daviddarvasi9480]

Gorgeous video. Thank you. Of the famous Taxi Driver shot Scorsese said it was the first shot he came up with and that the phone call for the character was so painful that 'we' don't want to experience the depth of his pain hence the tracking away of the camera.

[@billhaverchuck3745]

The dawn scene in L'Avventura is stunningly beautiful. I don't think it was featured in this video, though. I would have also mentioned Vittorio Storaro's work on The Conformist.

[@Advent3546]

I've been watching a lot of older noir movies this month and those have such a striking marriage between composition and movement. Blocking a long take shot through multiple camera set-ups is no easy feat even if they last less than a minute. I usually see that kind of staging nowadays in Steven Spielberg movies and his work with Janusz Kaminski looks like a magic trick every time.

[@TheSaltydog07]

@@Advent3546 L o v e noir ❤️❤️💋

[@Needleandfur]

I was going to mention Spielberg and his use of noir staging. When Indiana Jones first walks into Marion's bar that shot if just his face cast with the shadow of the cut out door - pure 1940's noir. Schindler's List has similar vibes with those light tight shots of both Neeson and Fiennes looking almost like 1940's matinees idols - although given the subject matter it's not an idea you can easily square away!

[@jaredt.murphy8257]

The Red Violin (1998) and Croupier (1998) are two of my favorite films. The former uses rich scoring to make the viewer feel entranced by the strange and potent aspect of passion, of love, and the journey it takes, the place it holds in our lives. The latter has only one track in the soundtrack, and it's haunting sound and moody lighting is somehow both clean-cut and grimy all in one. Thank you for sharing your passion with us, Thomas

[@pdawggity]

love the break down! Emmanuel Lubezki is my favorite DP

[@K.C-2049]

going with my first instinct here to say Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. apart from the obviously incredible kung fu and the wonderful score, that movie has such an ethereal grace to it that can be equal parts kinetic and contemplative as the need arises. I think it sticks out to me because i was quite young when I watched it, and I had never seen anything like that before.

[@reatodiguada]

When it comes to frame composition, nothing compares to Playtime by Jacques Tati, imo: a film that makes you laugh just by the means of cinematography is really something worth watching

[@cowabunga-san3417]

Just wanna give a quick shoutout to The Qatsi trilogy in general and especially Koyaanasqatsi with cinematography by Ron Fricke. I think of all your bullet points there's tremendous beauty to be had for each in this film. This was the movie I saw in theaters that flloored me like you were in Lawrence of Arabia. I think it's criminally underrated, and is a visual masterpiece.

[@spridgejuice]

for me it's 2001 A Space Odyssey for simple beauty/meaning elision (at every stage), Stalker for a release into the sense of life as a movement in time, The Wizard of Oz for the realisation of the sublime as artifice, Persona for (as he mentions) the sense of bodily recognition/disputation of self, and Alice (or maybe Earwig) for empowerment of the dream (which encompasses all cinema so not a fair competition)

[@linusfotograf]

You just described why I love cinema.

[@DaniyalAzizAhmad]

I have a hard time differentiating if what I appreciate is the editing/pacing or the cinematography qua cinematography, but two standouts for me have been: 1. Robert Bresson's 1983 film, L'Argent 2. William Friedkin's 1971 film, The French Connection To borrow something Roger Ebert said about a different film, the visual presentation of these films allow them to "[unfold] in almost documentary starkness." I love that about them. I only recently discovered your channel, so maybe you have already talked about editing and pacing vs cinematography or talked about these films!

[@organismx]

Hello Thomas. First thank you because as a student of the medium and as someone that works in the field , I can really appreciate the time you took and the work you put in to do this video. Lots of great stuff here. I agree 100 with everything shared here. That being said , beyond the great lighting , blocking, camera movements, compositions , lenses choices , which are all things keep paying attention to when watching a movie, there is one thing that I can't quiet put my finger on , but that I am obsessed with trying to understand. It's even hard for me to explain , but I know it is there , but I cannot really break it down. There is a "dance" between wide shots , tight shots , moving shots, the switching of angles, that creates different feelings. Some people do it right and some don't event know that they don' know how to do it, and like you said , some might not even know that they are doing it , like you said again , it's like a sort of poetry that is integral part of film making, but there is an art to this arrangement of shots and perspectives and angles that create a sequence. Everyone does it differently, thank God the is not a pattern or play book that everyone follows, it would become pretty boring really quick. But I think that there is so much to be said it and the psychological effect on the viewer. That is exactly where I am right now in my journey, it's really what I want to be better at in my craft. Hope I did not bore you. Great Journey you and everyone .

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

There has to be a certain flow, pacing and harmony in the editing, or at least a conscious form to it, which enhances or mirrors the narrative and mood of a story, guides the eye and gives us timely pauses to process and reflect on what we see and hear, much like in a piece of music, a sense of composition and unity that creates a distinct atmosphere and a unique world, a sense of time and space and the narrative process, all of which underline the main motives and themes and the overall topic, and also make the development of the entire movie feel seamless while it progresses.

[@organismx]

@ Agreed, the editor does have that power, there is no denying it, like the saying says “there the movie you write, then there is the movie you shoot , then there is the movie that you edit”, and at each stages of the process the movie slightly morphs into something different. But I still believe that a good director does most of that during the planning phase, because she or he should be able to see the sequences during the story board phase. Maybe I am wrong but that’s what I believe. Some people call it movie Grammar

[@DanEdelen]

Wonderful. It’s always good to see some of my heroes behind the lens getting the recognition they deserve. My greatest regret as an old man looking back on life is not going to film school to become a cinematographer. Went into computers instead. Except it’s evocative images like those covered in this essay that really charge my soul, not bits and bytes. Oh well. Kids, learn from my mistake. If you love movies, go into movies.

[@lucy-janewalsh9047]

I know nothing about this topic but the things you brought up in your intro made me think of children of men! It’s so good that even a cinema noob like me felt the impact of its cinematography

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

Check out "Bound" by the Wachowski siblings next. It is pretty much on the nose but still with some beautiful shots. Oh, and if you are into Westerns, "Heaven's Gate", "Cold Mountain" and "There Will Be Blood" have great moments as well. "Heaven's Gate" especially sticks out for me: Brilliant long shots following an arrival in a frontier town, a graduate celebration dance scene contrasted with a circling wagons fight scene, an amazing rollerskating scene in between, great shots showing the power imbalance on the plains, a final shot showing the depressing gildedness of empty luxury. It really creates the right atmosphere for each and every scene visually. Another one would be Scorsese's "Bringing Out The Dead", a movie that just isn't talked about often enough. Its nightly shots of New York City are on par with those of "Taxi Driver".

[@mf_from_hell]

I recommend watching Aki Kaurismäki's Kuolleet lehdet. He's well-known for his minimalist style and in this film he makes almost every shot look like the characters are in an Edward Hopper painting.

[@bobmarley6306]

What a brilliant video, the way you explain things technically is great but what's even better is the way you explain how the technicalities make us feel, you have a way with words which is poetic and profound.

[@cinavik]

I will never get over The Abyss, The Fountain, or the first Bladerunner. 2049 as well as mentioned. Dune (Villanueve editions), Master & Commander, Pans Labyrinth, The Shape of Water. The Godfather. The Green Knight. All forever burned in for me in part because of the great cinematography

[@TheSaltydog07]

@@cinavik Watching Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon" is like walking through an art gallery.

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

​@@TheSaltydog07For art gallery shots, I recommend "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "Portrait of a Lady on Fire".

[@claudiojijon4951]

Great analysis. For me Barry Lyndon is the film with the greatest cinematography.

[@lexthanexpected]

portrait of a lady on fire 😍 almost don’t need the subtitles to enjoy that film

[@al201103]

I saved this video until I had time to just sit and watch it in its entirety. I enjoyed every second of it. Many films I know well, a few I had forgotten about and need to revisit, and one or two which I have yet to see and are now on my list! Wonderful video, thank you :)

[@notaquitter92]

Thank you for this! I always appreciate your insightful takes on cinema as an art form. I never miss a video! As far as what film inspired me the most with its cinematography, I'd have to go with Denis Villeneuve's Arrival. Its somewhat muted colors, combined with its evocative lighting and subtle movements, give the whole film a dreamy, contemplative vibe. I still reflect on its themes today partly because of its memorable look.

[@PrOxAnto.]

I don't know if you've seen it already but I suggest "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" from 2019. Everything you mentioned I felt from this movie.

[@juanmanuelbaccino]

Hi, when i start university i saw Touch of Evil by Orson Welles and Citizen Kane of course. I was amazed. Then i begin to learn with Tarkovski, Polanski, Godard, Truffaut, well Hitchcock. The man of the camera, October, The mother, La Huelga, El acorazado potemkin, the best of russian cinematography and of course Kubrick. I never learn photography...and always thought that to be a good director, or trying to be the best. You must know all the aspect of taking a great picture. Well now that i have 45 years old I learned that we havent to dispair...the esencial work in cinematopgraphy is the idea of an ideal team job.

[@skyorrichegg]

The Conformist is a film I don't see brought up enough when it comes to beautiful visuals and cinematography. It is an interesting one as well in the way that it uses fascist imagery in that beauty, even while critiquing it.

[@MiloFPS]

A lot of films mentioned in the video and these comments are Criterion Collection films. I agree on that one, plus the spaghetti westerns, Bad Day at Black Rock, Douglas Sirk’s films, the Patton film, and so many more.

[@hamzeha.497]

Alfonso Cuarón's Roma is my favourite from this century, a cinematography without a cinematographer. Realism and real-time camera floating that makes you genuinely say "I didn't watch the movie but been into it". Thanks, Thomas, watching this video from Jordan (a few hours from where they shot Lawrence of Arabia). Would love to have you here, in real life, someday. It is more worthy and possible than you think!

[@helixvfx8569]

Greg Fraiser is my favorite cinematographer right now! His work on Dune, The Creator, The Batman, Rogue one, etc. are just always breathtaking and make me watch those movies in such different ways! I feel more involved than I do in other movies purely because of Greg's cinematography! He's awesome!

[@TonyBullard]

Thomas, you are SO good at this. Thank you for sharing your art with us.

[@TheBeird]

I saw Solaris and Stalker for the first time this year and was really taken aback by them. Something about the way they were shot made me think the two films were grounded yet heightened at the same time

[@abdrhmn7093]

Never skip a Thomas Fight video

[@aniskhamari5184]

imagine attending a class of his

[@ymkla]

never ever

[@roel.vinckens]

Flight.

[@Rory626]

Fight 🤜

[@KABOBkabob]

​@@aniskhamari5184would be solid film 101

[@bottledwaterprod]

Natural light focused shooting like what's seen in Tree of Life must take an incredible amount of synergy, chemistry, confidence, and trust between the director, the dp, and the actors.

[@frankbooth5490]

I always love the camera of Benoît Debie. The way his camera moves and the bright colors! The same with Christopher Doyle.

[@thecivilianseries3267]

Terrance Malik and Almendros' work with natural light was and is a massive influence on my work. Mike Nichols was sparing in going hand-held and used it in a targeted manner. Same thing with his use of the zoom. I tried to do the same thing.

[@TheHeadClanker]

I watched Paris, Texas the other day for the first time knowing nothing about it besides Wenders directing it and it's definitely one of the most beautifully shot movies ever made. The thing that I keep thinking about is the fantastic use of color that I don't really know if any other film I've seen has utilized as well. Wes Anderson movies come to mind but it was like a mix of his use of color with Deakins' incorporation of natural light sources. Cinematography is by far my favorite aspect of movies and is what made me really fall in love with film as an art form. Thank you Thomas for continuing to make videos like this and I hope everything is slowly getting better in your area after the storms/floods.

[@Extracredittttt]

Paris, Texas is incredible The way a non-American so perfectly captures both the majesty and desolation of the American southwest is mind blowing to me. It is not only beautiful to look at, but rich with that thematic tension of freedom and beauty mixed with abandonment and emptiness

[@jucxox]

You have the most calming voice

[@herremilkanter]

"Intuitive visual poetry" is such a great formulation for what cinematography feels like

[@mxyogerts2121]

For me, the perspective of cinematography changed once I saw Steve McQueen's 2011 Shame. I wasn't a cinephile by that point at all but the super long-drawn out shots of conversations happening either static or slow zooming really caught my eye and made feel like I was in the conversation, with no movement it really seems to jut into my brain and engrossing me. And the tracking shot of Fassbender running down blocks of NY or the focus on the eyes and just holding in tense emotion in general at the club singing scene. or the glances on the train. or the ending on the pier. This movie opened my "third eye" to actively pay attention to cinematography and I am so grateful I had a true appreciation for it before I saw most of the movies on the list to actually fully taken in how breath taking shots are, especially in stillness or long pause.

[@pondlife9486]

Beau Travail would probably be my pick given that it not only provides an excess of astounding beauty in pretty much every shot but also because the cinematography itself is probably the most important piece of narrative in the film.

[@Chippey12]

So good, love this dive into the discovery of the personal impact of cinematography. My personal most beautiful film is Nine Days. So much beauty in there, but one shot that always stands out to me is one where a character subtly dances around the outskirts of a spotlight. So simple, yet so powerful

[@Needleandfur]

I would say off the top of my head some examples of beautifully shot films/shows would be: Zone of Interest with that slightly awkward dream like quality with it's idealistic view of the countryside, where the summer is long and uninterrupted juxtoposed to the hell that was in full force over the wall. The final scene where the fourth wall is broken and we are looking at Hoss looking at us with that long void of a corridor was haunting. It has an amazing sound scape of a soundtrack to boot - seems almost at odds with my other favourite film Sexy Beast (directed by the same person). 2017's Godless - was meant to be a film but Soderbergh said it should be made into a tv series to do justice to the vision of the creator Scott Frank. It has the big sweeping vistas of the old western films of the 40's and 50's, but some very gentle intermate scenes that allow you to get swept up in the moment (I'm thinking when Goode was getting the horses to lay down in the paddock). WW1 films like the 2022 All Quiet on the Western Front and 1917 had some amazing cinematography and both were able to capture the madness of the trenches with the quiet eerie stillness of behind the lines. Pity AQotWF remake was not as strong overall as it could have been. November - an Estonian (not so scary) folk horror film from 2019 - I can't describe the film as it's classic euro-surrealism, but it's very well shot (in black and white) and captures the harshness of living in poverty in the countryside, the biting cold and snow, with the raw beauty of woodland in winter. Lastly - anything by Robert Eggers.... that is all

[@artspeaking]

I would mention James Wong Howe's wonderful Black and White work. The boxing scenes in "Body And Soul" remain unmatched in this genre. Jack Cardiff was a bona fide genius. "The Magic Box" and "Black Narcissus" evidence his lushly haunting palette that was his signature style. I was very impressed by the visual aesthetic of Tarsem Singh's "The Fall". The use of technicolor in 1938's "The Adventures of Robin Hood" remains high on my list. The black and white camera work that was the signature style of 1930s and 1940s Warner Bros. films is beautiful. Sol Polito and Tony Gaudio's photography paired with the set designs of Anton Grot produced a wonderful symphony of light and shadow. "Captain Blood" and "The Sea Hawk are also among my favorites. Loved "Barry Lyndon".

[@tobiasTbager]

This was truly incredible. I thank you for pulling me out of the rabbit hole I until now thought KZbin only would be. But this let me take my time, slow down and enjoy the incredible works of others. Great things take time.

[@ciaio]

The scene from Taxi Driver when Travis walks in this dreamlike state of infatuation, thinking of Betsy "They can not touch... her" is one of those moments in cinema that made me fall in love with film back when I was like 13. That moment never really left me. The combination of shooting against the sun in slowmo and the music hits so hard. What a great way to show how someone feels when they're in love.

[@ownkindofmusic2004]

Have been rewatching breaking bad and better call saul, and because I have rewatched it a couple times now and the plot doesn’t really matter at this point of the rewatch, the incredible cinematography and shot selection stands out. Every single frame atleast more so in BCS feels like a deliberate effort to make it stand out from everything else on television. Crazy how it didn’t win a single cinematography award.

[@dipperdandy]

Bit of an odd choice maybe but... Star Trek The Motion Picture. Especially on the recent 4K rerelease. Beautifully shot film that so often gets ignored or dismissed. I'd argue visually rivals Space Odyssey.

[@williamschuhmacher3468]

A Haunting in Venice....Just watched it. Branagh composes his shots so well. Most of the picture takes place in a few rooms of a house with beautiful greenish black colors and fisheye lens...I could go on.

[@casinodertoten721]

This is the first time I’ve stumbled across your channel, but the painting on your wall had me sold immediately.

[@sunainahussain]

In terms of good cinematography and especially good cinematography through using hand-drawn images (seriously so many people underestimate how much work it takes to make animated cinematography good) I personally feel like nobody did it quite like the late, great Satoshi Kon. Most if not all of his works revolve around exploring the messy, blurry spaces between reality and various fictions from long-held personal memories to in-universe films to public perceptions/rumours and the fact that his visual work is such that it can help a viewer wordlessly and intuitively understand this is nothing short of brilliant. And on top of that, he had The Range as best seen in Paranoia Agent where almost every single episode has its own unique visual style and cinematography specifically tailored to that specifc character's/group's mindset and struggles

[@swampert564]

Perfect Blue? More like perfect film. I love that dudes work, damn shame he had to die so young with so much potential untapped.

[@thecinemascribe]

Hayao Miyazaki might be the greatest master of composition in all of cinema

[@刘骁-b8d]

Thomas，since you major in editing ,please make a “the best editing I've ever seen "

[@SaintJoi]

Northfork. So few people have seen it, but it's gorgeous. Sort of a meditation on dying and being present for death. It's almost completely desaturated and the delicate tones are stunning.

[@amalia01]

I really like the cinematography in Marriage Story. This beautiful movie mostly grabs the attention with it's acting an dialogue but I was also very amazed by the images.

[@Lou.B]

"Aguirre, the Wrath of God", by Werner Herzog and Thomas Mauch (cinematography) is one of my favorites. The Amazon backdrop, which envelopes the characters, events, and visuals from the first through the last frame is overwhelming and irresistible.

[@OstrichRidingCowboy]

Shoutout to Haynes/Lachman's "Carol" for letting 16mm look like that.

[@JustAHevel]

I really enjoyed Upstream Color. Wonderfully shot; colors and camera work are great!

[@Chris43791FTW]

22:54 "seing these uncomfortable emotions presented in a beautiful way might shed new light on how we perceive these things within our own life" beautifully said

[@JamesGiffin-w6e]

Moonlight is the most memorably beautiful movie I have ever seen. The use of blue and pink lighting, both realistic and vibrant bring me so much emotion. It also reminds me of Blade Runner 2049, but hits me much more deeply.

[@KneeAches]

You included some of my favorites: Day of Heaven, The Graduate, Tree of Life, and more. I would add: McCabe & Mrs Miller, Apocalypse Now, Road to Perdition……and so many more.

[@kennethschalhoub6627]

Great video. This reminds me of "Far from the Madding Crowd" and how Charlotte Bruus Christensen brought Hardy's expansive description to the screen.

[@prateektripathi8052]

Easily one of the most informative and best video essays I have seen. Kudos man, great work.

[@DonnieDarko_420]

Lubezki is who I aspire to be. Not only because of his beautiful cinematography, but being Mexican myself, ha has been a huge part of Mexican cinema and worked with directors like Cuarón and Iñárritu and made some of my favorite films ever. Viva Mexico! 🇲🇽 🎥

[@ftuT]

This was fantastic. Your essays get better and better. Thank you. I was surprised not to see There Will Be Blood, Punch-drunk Love or some other aesthetically memorable PTA film (besides The Master, no less beautiful), but I guess that's just a matter of taste.

[@ThomasFlight]

Definitely could have included more of PTA's work, but there's so much to cover I tried to focus on my favorite from each director.

[@romanhoppe3868]

I love that you touched on composition, it’s severely under-looked, but it’s so important. It’s the reason why 12 angry men has my favorite cinematography of all time.