Films recommended for film students by Harvard University
"This is not a list of cinema's greatest hits nor of the best films and videos of all time; this inventory, in short, does not seek to create a canon. Rather, the entries on the following pages reflect a variety of criteria. Some works are exemplary, others important or influential, others in some respect noteworthy. Not every title on the list, it goes without saying, is the object of unquestioned or unconditional veneration. This document is above all meant to serve as an educational resource that offers guidance and encouragement as students seek to find points of orientation within the vast history of film and video." Original list last edited june 2010
Because I could find very few of the 'Videos' and 'Video Istallations' documented on IMDB, I've listed these separately:
VIDEOS
The Best of Ernie Kovacs (Ernie Kovacs, 1957ff., US)
Vertical Roll (Joan Jonas, 1972, US)
Selected Works: Reel 4 (William Wegman, USA, 1972)
Theme Song (Vito Acconci, 1973, US)
Three Transitions (Peter Campus, 1973, US)
Global Groove (Nam June Paik, 1973, US)
Television Delivers People (Richard Serra, 1973, US)
Children’s Tapes (Terry Fox, 1974, US)
Body Music (Charlemagne Palestine, 1974, US)
The Eternal Frame (T.R. Uthco and Ant Farm, 1975, US)
Revolve (Nancy Holt, 1977, YS)
The Red Tapes (Vito Acconci, 1977, US)
The Reflecting Pool (Bill Viola, 1977-79, US)
Technology/Transformation (Wonder Woman) (Dara Birnbaum, 1978, US)
Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry (Dara Birnbaum, 1979, US)
Hearts (Barbara Buckner, 1979, US)
Sunstone (Ed Emshwiller, 1979, US)
Beneath the Skin (Cecelia Condit, 1981, US)
The Looking Glass (Juan Downey, 1981, US)
Meta Mayan (Edin Vélez, 1981, US)
Smothering Dreams (Daniel Reeves, 1981, US)
Ohio to Giverny: Memory of Light (Mary Lucier, 1983, US)
Subatomic Babies (Shalom Gorewitz, 1983, US)
Anthem (Bill Viola, 1983, US)
Sabda (Daniel Reeves, 1984, US)
Der Riese (Michael Klier, 1984, FRG)
Why Do Things Get in a Muddle? (Come on Petunia) (Gary Hill, 1984, US)
Incidence of Catastrophe (Gary Hill, 1987-8, US)
Not a Jealous Bone (Cecelia Condit, 1987, US)
Art of Memory (Woody and Steina Vasulka, 1987, US)
Berlin: Tourist Journal (Ken Kobland, 1988, US)
Volcano Saga (Joan Jonas, 1989, US)
Site Recite (A Prologue) (Gary Hill, 1989, US)
A TV Dante (Peter Greenaway, 1989, GB)
Histoire(s) du Cinéma (Jean-Luc Godard, 1988-1998, France)
Jollies (Sadie Benning, 1990, US)
The Passing (Bill Viola, 1991, US)
Oh, Rapunzel (Cecelia Condit, 1996, US)
VIDEO INSTALLATIONS
Magnet TV (Nam June Paik, 1965)
Wipe Cycle (Frank Gillette and Ira Schneider, 1969)
Live-Taped Video Corridor (Bruce Nauman, 1970)
R-G-B (Peter Campus, 1974)
dor (Peter Campus, 1975)
Dachau (Beryl Korot, 1974)
TV Buddah (Nam June Paik, 1974)
TV Garden (Nam June Paik, 1974-78)
Dawn Burn (Mary Lucier, 1975)
PM Magazine (Dara Birnbaum, 1982)
Ohio at Giverny (Mary Lucier, 1983)
Room for St. John of the Cross (Bill Viola, 1983)
The Allure of the Concentric (Rita Myers, 1985)
Wilderness (Mary Lucier, 1986)
The Erl King (Graham Weinbren and Roberta Friedman, 1986)
The Terrible Uncertainty of the Thing Described (Doug Hall, 1987)
Clown Torture (Bruce Nauman, 1987)
Inasmuch as it is Already Taking Place (Gary Hill, 1990)
Between Cinema and a Hard Place (Gary Hill, 1991)
Tall Ships (Gary Hill, 1992)
Noah’s Raven (Mary Lucier, 1993)
Stations (Bill Viola, 1994)
Greetings (Bill Viola, 1995)
China (Diana Thater, 1995)
Because I could find very few of the 'Videos' and 'Video Istallations' documented on IMDB, I've listed these separately:
VIDEOS
The Best of Ernie Kovacs (Ernie Kovacs, 1957ff., US)
Vertical Roll (Joan Jonas, 1972, US)
Selected Works: Reel 4 (William Wegman, USA, 1972)
Theme Song (Vito Acconci, 1973, US)
Three Transitions (Peter Campus, 1973, US)
Global Groove (Nam June Paik, 1973, US)
Television Delivers People (Richard Serra, 1973, US)
Children’s Tapes (Terry Fox, 1974, US)
Body Music (Charlemagne Palestine, 1974, US)
The Eternal Frame (T.R. Uthco and Ant Farm, 1975, US)
Revolve (Nancy Holt, 1977, YS)
The Red Tapes (Vito Acconci, 1977, US)
The Reflecting Pool (Bill Viola, 1977-79, US)
Technology/Transformation (Wonder Woman) (Dara Birnbaum, 1978, US)
Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry (Dara Birnbaum, 1979, US)
Hearts (Barbara Buckner, 1979, US)
Sunstone (Ed Emshwiller, 1979, US)
Beneath the Skin (Cecelia Condit, 1981, US)
The Looking Glass (Juan Downey, 1981, US)
Meta Mayan (Edin Vélez, 1981, US)
Smothering Dreams (Daniel Reeves, 1981, US)
Ohio to Giverny: Memory of Light (Mary Lucier, 1983, US)
Subatomic Babies (Shalom Gorewitz, 1983, US)
Anthem (Bill Viola, 1983, US)
Sabda (Daniel Reeves, 1984, US)
Der Riese (Michael Klier, 1984, FRG)
Why Do Things Get in a Muddle? (Come on Petunia) (Gary Hill, 1984, US)
Incidence of Catastrophe (Gary Hill, 1987-8, US)
Not a Jealous Bone (Cecelia Condit, 1987, US)
Art of Memory (Woody and Steina Vasulka, 1987, US)
Berlin: Tourist Journal (Ken Kobland, 1988, US)
Volcano Saga (Joan Jonas, 1989, US)
Site Recite (A Prologue) (Gary Hill, 1989, US)
A TV Dante (Peter Greenaway, 1989, GB)
Histoire(s) du Cinéma (Jean-Luc Godard, 1988-1998, France)
Jollies (Sadie Benning, 1990, US)
The Passing (Bill Viola, 1991, US)
Oh, Rapunzel (Cecelia Condit, 1996, US)
VIDEO INSTALLATIONS
Magnet TV (Nam June Paik, 1965)
Wipe Cycle (Frank Gillette and Ira Schneider, 1969)
Live-Taped Video Corridor (Bruce Nauman, 1970)
R-G-B (Peter Campus, 1974)
dor (Peter Campus, 1975)
Dachau (Beryl Korot, 1974)
TV Buddah (Nam June Paik, 1974)
TV Garden (Nam June Paik, 1974-78)
Dawn Burn (Mary Lucier, 1975)
PM Magazine (Dara Birnbaum, 1982)
Ohio at Giverny (Mary Lucier, 1983)
Room for St. John of the Cross (Bill Viola, 1983)
The Allure of the Concentric (Rita Myers, 1985)
Wilderness (Mary Lucier, 1986)
The Erl King (Graham Weinbren and Roberta Friedman, 1986)
The Terrible Uncertainty of the Thing Described (Doug Hall, 1987)
Clown Torture (Bruce Nauman, 1987)
Inasmuch as it is Already Taking Place (Gary Hill, 1990)
Between Cinema and a Hard Place (Gary Hill, 1991)
Tall Ships (Gary Hill, 1992)
Noah’s Raven (Mary Lucier, 1993)
Stations (Bill Viola, 1994)
Greetings (Bill Viola, 1995)
China (Diana Thater, 1995)
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- DirectorsAuguste LumièreLouis LumièreStarsMadeleine KoehlerMarcel KoehlerMrs. Auguste LumiereA train arrives at La Ciotat station.
- DirectorLouis LumièreWorkers leaving the Lumière factory for lunch in Lyon, France in 1895; a place of great photographic innovation and one of the birth places of cinema.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsFrançois ClercBenoît DuvalAn impudent child plays a prank on a gardener innocently watering his plants.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAuguste LumièreMrs. Auguste LumiereAndrée LumièreAs part of a maiden public film screening at the Salon Indien, on December 28, in Paris, Auguste Lumière pivots the centre of attention around his baby daughter, as he tries to feed her from a spoon.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsAs an elegant maestro of mirage and delusion drapes his beautiful female assistant with a gauzy textile, much to our amazement, the lady vanishes into thin air.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsVictor AndréBleuette BernonA group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsMarguerite ThévenardBleuette BernonIn this spectacular free adaptation of the popular theatre play "La Biche au Bois", the valiant Prince Bel-Azor pursues a baleful old witch to her impregnable castle, to save the beautiful young Princess Azurine.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarZizi PapillonIn this brief "trick film" two clowns assemble an enormous magic lantern which first projects moving images, then emits dancing girls.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsFernande AlbanyJehanne d'AlcyUsing every known means of transportation, several savants from the Geographic Society undertake a journey through the Alps to the Sun which finishes under the sea.
- DirectorsWilliam K.L. DicksonWilliam HeiseStarAnnabelle MooreAnnabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dance routines. She uses her dance steps and her long, flowing skirts to create a variety of visual patterns.
- DirectorWilliam HeiseStarsMay IrwinJohn C. RiceIn a medium close-up shot of the first kiss ever recorded on screen, two fervent lovers cuddle and talk passionately at hair's breadth, just before the love-smitten gentleman decides to give his chosen one an innocent peck.
- DirectorJames H. WhiteStarThomas A. Edison"This film is remarkable in several respects. In the first place, it is full life-size. Secondly, it is the only accurate recent portrait of the great inventor. The scene is an actual one, showing Mr. Edison in working dress engaged in an interesting chemical experiment in his great Laboratory. There is sufficient movement to lead the spectator through the several processes of mixing, pouring, testing, etc. as if he were side by side with the principal. The lights and shadows are vivid, and the apparatus and other accessories complete a startling picture that will appeal to every beholder."
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsCarl GoliathTopsyThe execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. She was sold to Sea Lion Park in 1902 which was then sold to new owners who turned it into Luna Park. After they decided they could no longer handle her, the owners of Luna Park announced they would hang Topsy, leading to an outcry by the ASPCA. The owners then decided they would electrocute the elephant, with a backup plan of feeding her cyanide-laced carrots and strangling her with a cable.
- DirectorJ. Farrell MacDonaldStarsViolet MacMillanFrank MooreRaymond RussellOjo and Unc Nunkie are out of food, so they decide to journey to the Emerald City where they will never starve.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterTheodore Roosevelt merrily kills a mountain lion in Colorado while his press agent and photographer record the event for posterity.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA most interesting picture at the Pan-American Exposition. The picture was taken from the north side of the Electric Tower. It presents the most perfect and diversified views of the Transportation Building, Mexican Plaza, the Stadium and the north side of the Electric Tower.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA great feature of the Pan-American Exposition, as unanimously conceded by all visitors, was the electric illumination of the Exposition grounds at night. After a great deal of experimenting and patience, we succeeded in securing an excellent picture of the buildings at the Pan-American as they appeared when lighted up at night. All the buildings from the Temple of Music to the Electric Tower are shown, including the Electric Tower itself. The emotional and sensational effects were also secured by starting the panoramic view by daylight and revolving the camera until the Electric Tower forms the center of the field of the lens. Our camera was then stopped and the position held until night, when we photographed the coming up of the lights, an event which was deemed by all to be a great emotional climax to the Pan-American Exposition. Immediately the lights are burning to their fullest brilliancy, the camera is againt set in motion and revolved until the Temple of Music is reached. The motion is then reversed and the camera goes back until it rests on the Electric Tower, thus supplying the climax to the picture. The great searchlights of the Tower are being worked during the entire time the picture is being exposed, and the effect is startling. This picture is pronounced by the photographic profession to be a marvel of photography.
- DirectorsGeorge S. FlemingEdwin S. PorterStarsEdwin S. PorterVivian VaughanArthur WhiteA fireman rushes into a carriage to rescue a woman from a house fire. He breaks the windowpanes and carries the woman to safety; after dangerous and uncertain moments he also saves the woman's son.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarCharles ManleyCountry rube thinks what he sees on the movie screen is real. He jumps out of his seat to try to stop a kissing scene.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterBased on the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe: Eliza, a slave who has a young child, pleads with Tom, another slave, to escape with her. Tom does not leave, but Eliza flees with her child. After getting some help to escape the slave traders who are looking for her, she then must try to cross the icy Ohio River if she wants to be free. Meanwhile, Tom is sold from one master to another, and his fortunes vary widely.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarEdward BouldenA woman being fitted for shoes exposes her ankle to the shoe clerk, who is intrigued. He kisses her, but her chaperone hits him with her umbrella.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarMarie MurrayAn engaged couple, dressed in white, meet each other at a train station. When the train arrives, they get on board, and they enjoy the sights from the platform on the last car. The workers on the train are eager to help, and they make some special arrangements for the couple.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsGilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' AndersonA.C. AbadieGeorge BarnesA group of bandits stage a brazen train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels.
- DirectorsWallace McCutcheonEdwin S. PorterSeven toy teddy bears of varying sizes suddenly come to life, getting in all sorts of merry misadventures.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsDavid MilesMarion LeonardMary PickfordA gang of thieves lure a man out of his home so that they can rob it and threaten his wife and children. The family barricade themselves in an interior room, but the criminals are well-equipped for breaking in. When the father finds out what is happening, he must race against time to get back home.
