I’ve been threatening to do a blog on the 8o’s for a while. I know I can be verbose and stretch a sentence into a page so I have decided to fragment the 80’s, a serialisation if you will. First up, the top 50 films of the decade, in my humble opinion.
I stress that this is only my opinion because any list of this sort will see people argue over the top 5, let alone the top 50. Even I would argue with myself to be honest and you can guarantee if I reconstructed the list in even a weeks time, there would be admissions into the list and changes in the rankings. So, here goes, in at…………….
(50) Look Who’s Talking (1989)
A classic film? No. In fact I don’t particularly like this film, but it did introduce a genre into the cinema that had only been touched on before. The voice of baby Mikey was Moonlighting and Die Hard star Bruce Willis, whilst it allowed a route back into cinema for John Travolta as the love interest of Mikey’s mother. Just starting at this point has confirmed to me exactly how subjective this list is; the first film I list and I have to be honest, it’s actually a load of gash.
(49) Back to the Future (1985)
Now we’re talking. The exploits of Doc Emmet Brown and Marty McFly were a breath of fresh air on the big screen. The story line was easy to follow, the characters well thought out if a little shallow, and there was humour in abundance. Never going to be an Oscar winner but a classic film that still watches well today. Moralistic, with a nerdy kid from a nerdy family saving the day and in essence, the future. A great soundtrack, with Huey Lewis and the News’ ‘The Power of Love’ a chart hit, this would always make my top 50.
(48) War Games (1983)
At a time when we all thought the world would end under a mushroom cloud, it struck a nerve with both young and old audiences alike. Hacking into the US military computer systems, a young Matthew Broderick almost caused World War III. This film was incredibly clever because it played so well against the cold war political backdrop of the time, but also exposed a genuine technophobic fear that computers would be the end of us all. A lot of films that followed, including the Teminator series can cock a hat to this gem.
(47) The Terminator (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger at his monosyllabic best. Further films saw him as the good guy of the series but in the opening gambit, he was anything but. A machine sent from the future to kill the saviour of the Earth, John Conor, before he ever realised he was the saviour of the Earth. Box office smash and one of the most quoted films of all time. I’ll be back? Perhaps too often in fairness but this instalment is a true masterpiece of action and storytelling,
(46) An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Creating heartthrob status for both lead roles, this film was both inspirational, touching and incredibly cheesy. Richard Gere proved his worth as both an Officer and a gentleman, in winning Debra Winger’s heart and rescuing her from the humdrum existence of a dead end job in the local factory. This film was not clichéd at the time, it was actually quite original. Louis Gosset Jnr, deservedly won an Oscar, introducing the world to the reality of a drill sergeant and the heartache when Gere’s best friend Sid takes his own life showed the lengths some women would go to escape, and the level of delusion a man will endure for love. Schmaltzy at times yes, but brilliant nonetheless.
(45) Police Academy (1984)
The series as a whole was utterly dire, but what followed should not take away from this brilliantly funny film. Original characters, slapstick humour and the aural tomfoolery of ‘Jones’, this film hit the spot. Risqué, the scene with the under the podium fellatio was controversial, but for teenagers at that time, rivalled American Pie’s ‘apple pie’ moment for hilarity. Steve Guttenberg was funny, a rare feat, and the ensemble cast was expertly put together. The strength of Hightower, the insanity of gun crazy Tackleberry and the infamous Blue Oyster bar. It turned a monster but was the cutest baby ever.
(44) Top Gun (1986)
Maverick and Goose, the modern day (at the time) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A pair of young men who are trying to adapt to the strict codes of conduct required to be part of the Navy’s elite Top Gun fighter pilot school. The trials of living in his fathers shadow and his uncompromising ability to rub people up the wrong way sees Maverick go through his own personal hell. A tangled love interest supplied by Kelly McGillis and tragedy when Goose dies in a training accident, Maverick looks set to quit. However, this is Hollywood so he inevitably qualifies and then takes on the damn Russkies, whilst becoming a hero and general all round guy with his former competitors from Top Gun. Corny beyond compare, hugely overrated but the film that made Tom Cruise a household name and the worlds favourite Scientology preaching hobbit.
(43) Labyrinth (1986)
Little does Sarah know when she wishes that the Goblin King would come and take her annoying younger sibling, David Bowie would wear leggings and do just that. What follows is a journey into the Goblin King’s domain, where Sarah meets all manner of mythical and bizarre characters, brought to life by the genius Jim Henson. A truly heart-warming tale, typical 80’s music and an loveable old, curmudgeonly gnome type creature tat befriends Sarah and helps her on her quest. The gnomes name was Hoggle. I’ll carry that nickname or a derogative of it for the rest of my days. Thanks.
(42) Who Will Love My Children (1983)
The saddest film I have ever seen with the exception of my Schindlers List. A dying woman tries to find a home for her children (eleven of them I think) before she dies. The husband has a drink problem and simply couldn’t cope so she is left with little choice. One scene, where one of the youngest children is screaming at the back window of a car as they are being driven away is impossible for any parent to watch without crying. I watch this film about once every fifteen years as any more than that is just too heartrending.
(41) Cocoon (1985)
Strange choice perhaps but as a 12 year old watching this for the first time I learned a valuable lesson. Set in a retirement community, the old folks who are struggling with the limitations of age are reinvigorated when aliens offer them a chance of eternal life, at a cost. To see the elderly residents embrace life, love and mortality was a stark reminder that age may diminish the body’s ability but that the mind never dulls at the same rate. Both moving and funny, this sort of film is often overlooked but for me, even more so as age creeps up on me, this is even more poignant today than when I first watched it.
(40) Poltergeist (1982)
The first proper horror film on the list. Whereas George Romero and Tobe Hooper had made the genre both bloodthirsty, visceral and trite during the 70’s this was a throw back to the days when what you didn’t see was often more scary than what you did. Brilliant characterisation, well paced and genuinely scary. Few will ever forget the line ‘They’re here’, as a young ‘Carol Anne’ stares at the static on a TV screen. Genuine horror comes from a fear of the unknown, not shock and gore as in the Saw/Hostel type film so common today. This was edge of your seat, nail biting stuff and still holds up today. Classic.
(39) ET (1982)
What is there not to love about this film? Even as an adult it is a pleasure to watch. A loveable alien stranded light years from home is adopted by a young family and develops a phone fetish. Government officials play the role of the bad guy and a poor ET, to the horror of his new family, looks as though he will die. Of course, he isn’t allowed to but the trauma and the superb acting of an infant Drew Barrymore make sure very heart string is played succinctly. Iconic imagery of a posse of young flying cyclists with a basketed alien silhouetted against a moon still endures as one of the silver screens most iconic images.
(38) Stir Crazy (1980)
The comedy duo of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder were at their absolute peak in making this film. Wrongly imprisoned the two losers look set to crack u in the prison system until Wilder impresses the governor with his mechanical bull riding skills. An escape plot is hatched when he is entered in an in interprison rodeo. The highlights in this film are the characters such as Grossberger, and the scenes which clearly contain a large amount of ad libbing. Dated now, but still laugh out loud funny in parts, a perfect comedy.
(37) Beetlejuice (1988)
Michael Keaton turned heads with his gross depiction of demon Beetlejuice, a foul mouthed, perverted ‘bio exorcist’ that inhabited the limbo world of recent newly deads Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. Horrifed to discover they are dead and their new/old home is being occupied by a young family they try to scare the new occupants out, with little success. What could have been a huge disaster was redeemed by the brilliance of Keaton and the very clever use of visual humour. Who can ever forget the scene at the reception of Limbo with all manner of ‘customers’ in the exact state they were at their time of passing. Possibly the most repulsive character to grace the screen, Beetlejuice has spawned many impersonators, but never a successor.
(36) The Shining (1980)
Just an opinion of course but I don’t think Nicolson ever played a better part until ‘The Departed’ over a quarter of a century later. A film based on a Stephen King book, he plays the role of Jack Torrnace, winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel in the Rockies. The haunted hotel plays havoc and unravels his mind to the extent that he becomes a murderous lunatic, intent on killing his own wife and son. Expertly directed by Kubrick, this is an instance where the book is at least equalled by the screenplay. Memorable for numerous scenes and quotes, the scariest twins to ever appear in front of a camera, a naked woman who then became a rotting crone, this film takes suspense and keeps adding to it, right up to the very end. Brilliant writing and expert acting make this a true classic in every sense.
(35) Raging Bull (1980)
De Niro in one of his greatest ever performances. A biopic on the life of Jake La Motta, US boxing champion, it shied away from nothing. A womaniser, a hard man, a domestic abuser and a flawed genius, no punches were pulled in this portrayal of the rise and fall of this boxing antihero. De Niro gained 60 pounds in weight to show the physical deterioration in the boxers physique as he became a stand up comic, trading punchlines for for world championship knockouts. Both gritty and enduring, the film brought Scorcese, De Niro and Pesci together for the first time, thankfully not the last. As sporting films go, this probes a little deeper than one is sometimes comfortable with, but that is what makes it such a stand out film.
(34) The Karate Kid (1984)
Wax on, wax off. Immortalised by the voice of martial arts guru and unwilling sensei Mr Miyagi, this film was exactly what 80’s films became associated with. Moralistic, coming of age stories that were set against a pop soundtrack. Peter Cetera’s ‘Glory of Love’ was the love anthem as bullied kid strikes up a relationship with the aging Miyagi and then defeats bullies, whilst winning the heart of his truelove. Inspirational to teens of the time, the sequels never measured up to this classic piece of 80’s schmaltz.
(33) Condorman (1981)
Michael Crawford played the role of cartoonist come superhero of the film’s title. A sleeper hit in the sense that it was British, poorly acted and was competing against Superman, Jedi’s and the like. What it did though was enthral me as a young child as it was just so different and at the time so funny. Would it stand the test of time, I doubt it very much, but the fact I haven’t seen it for thirty plus years and still remember says a lot.
(32) An American Werewolf in London (1981)
The first horror film I ever watched. Excellent story, it was set in the UK, it was funny and it had Jenny Agutter . Not only did it have Jenny Agutter but for a young boy first appreciating the female form, it had Jenny Agutter dressed as a nurse, and naked. What more could you ask for in a film? The whole transformation from human to werewolf was painful to watch, and considering the lack of CGI available in those days, extremely well done. Great film, great memories, huge crush. The whole package.
(31) The War of the Roses (1989)
Brilliantly thought out and acted, if you are contemplating getting a divorce, watching this will make you think twice for sure. Danny de Vito narrates the story as the lawyer of a couple feuding over every last aspect of their divorce settlement with neither side prepared to compromise. This leads from small scale arguments to an all-out war, with each side prepared to outdo the other until they both pay the ultimate price. Alternatively when it comes to divorce you can just man the **** up and do the right thing, but each to their own.
(30) Wall Street (1987)
Another Michael Douglas film, but another all-time classic in fairness. Who can forget the despicable Gordon Gekko and his mantra ‘Greed is Good’. Not so, in terms of anything, but especially so when the cause of that greed is money. Playing a shallow, narcissistic lead role, it was hard to ever view the character with anything but contempt as he lured a younger Charlie Sheen into becoming both his accomplice and protégé. That this film is still viewed today as a symbolic stab at the establishment of fat cat bankers and hedge fund managers is tantamount to its apparent authenticity.
(29) Die Hard (1988)
John McClane, Nakatomi Towers, Hans Gruber. This film saw the arrival of the third member of the Planet Hollywood founders on the action stage with his uncompromising, troubled character. Resplendent in a C & A tru tex vest top, Bruce Willis saw off the bad guys, reconciled with his troubled wife, saw off the threat of terrorism and completed a Rubiks Cube whilst inventing a replacement for fossil fuels. Well maybe not, but he did what Sly Stallone and Arnie couldn’t and create an action character that was flawed enough to become almost believable.
(28) Ghostbusters (1984)
Bustin’ certainly made me feel good in this piece of original entertainment. A truly tough choice in deciding whether the star of this comedy gold was a marshmallow man, Bill Murray or the guzzling green ghost Slimer. Ectoplasm everywhere, this was a film that still retains its charm, its irreverent wit and smile factor 31 years, yes that was right, 31 years, later. Boiler suits and reconditioned hearses were never put to use than by this gang of ne’er do wells come good in saving New York City from the afterlife.
(27) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Credit is due to Harrison Ford for making you forget he was actually Han Solo in a galaxy far, far away. Breathtaking chase scene to open, betrayal, Nazi’s, submarines, snakes and a nasty little monkey. Some amazing slapstick coupled with the action scenes made sure this was an exceptionally well crafted, if totally unbelievable tale. I can remember this film was in the local Monico cinema for 26 weeks!!!! I only went to watch it ten times.
(26) Fatal Attraction (1987)
You know a film had has a huge impact when a commonly used phrase enters the language as a result of the on screen antics. Glenn Close played the spurned lover who would just not let go, and became the original bunny boiler. Michael Douglas played the sinner who wished he had kept everything zipped away as Close terrifying portrayal of a dangerously unhinged romantic reaches its conclusion. A brave film to make and at times, a hard one to ‘enjoy’.
(25) Lethal Weapon (1987)
Danny Glover starred as Murtaugh, the aging, calm, family orientated police officer who, as luck would have it is paired with his complete antithesis, Mel Gibson’s Riggs. Spared the initial high pitced nasal invective of Joe Pesci until the second instalment, the boys fight with each other on an hourly basis but rather than one call in sick or speak to their union, they just get on with it and find a new found respect and belief in the adage ‘opposites attract’ whilst defeating international drug smuggling rings.
(24) Rocky IV (1985)
A political statement if ever there was one. Fresh from killing Rocky’s once nemesis but now trainer, Apollo Creed, the nasty, seventeen foot tall, Aryan looking Ivan Drago, the living embodiment of Communism, challenges little old Rocky, now 84 and passed his best. Whilst Drago is trained in state of the art facilities and seen being injected with ‘vitamins’ Rocky goes back to his roots and trains by running through snowfields and sawing and chopping logs. Rocky obviously wins and everyone becomes friends and the final speech is the cheesiest of all time. Horribly predictable but brilliant nonetheless. The training montage was the mainstay of many a teens training programme.
(23) The Color Purple (1985)
A traumatic, harrowing, uplifting and educational film. Following the trails of 14 year old African American Celie and charting the next thirty years of her life it is both moving and upsetting. The strength of character portrayal is the key to the success of this film with the roles of Glover, Winfrey and especially Goldberg a joy to watch. Alice Walker wrote the novel to this film and this imagining of the letters contained therein are another example of where a book can be so well brought to life. One of the few films I could actually watch over and over again.
(22) Highlander
There can be only one. 16th century Highlander Connor MacLeod discovers from a strangely Iberian looking Sean Connery that unless someone cuts off his head he can’t die, he has the gift of immortal life. Now, rather than being content with this, some immortals, notably Kurgan have instigated a gathering in 1985 New York, where the immortals can compete for the ‘prize’. Hugely flawed storyline but enough action and sentiment to keep things ticking along nicely. Awful Scottish accent by Christopher Lambert is forgivable, but only just!
(21) Rocky III (1983)
The best of the Rocky films for so many reasons. Firstly, there is sentiment, when old trainer Mickey dies after being pushed by the outrageously aggressive Clubber Laing. Then there is defeat for Rocky, losing the title fight. Then there is redemption where one time rival Apollo Creed trains Rocky and makes him believe in himself again. There is the training montage on the beach where Rocky does not just become fitter, he actually becomes an Olympic sprinter gaining ten yards of pace and learns to dance in the sea. Most of all there was one of the most iconic soundtrack songs of the entire decade (and worst videos), Survivors ‘Eye of the Tiger’. ‘You ain’t so bad, you ain’t so bad’ whilst rubbing Laing’s Mohican one of the most machismo moments in the entire series.
So, the first thirty films in my list are done. Now we get to the meat on the bones, the top 20. As I said at the start this is entirely opinion driven. I am not looking to locate a film in the top twenty as a result of its critical acclaim, Oscar nominations or depth of acting. I am basing this list entirely on what I alone think of them and the memory or feeling they gave me. If your favourite isn’t in here then it could simply be that I never saw the film or, as is most likely, we just have different tastes.
(20) Dirty Dancing (1983)
The soundtrack alone was amazing. Hungry eyes, She’s like the Wind, tearjerkers that still bring a nostalgic smile to my face. The film was famous for one thing, dancing, and dirty dancing at that. Based in 1963, the dirty aspect of the dancing is minimal compared with today’s twerkers and rap videos, but for 1963 you can imagine the uproar the dancing could have caused. Starring roles from the late Patrick Swayze and the very much alive Jenifer Grey, a coming of age musical for the young ‘Baby’ who is beautifully naïve until she meets the more worldly Swayze. One of those films that everyone has seen, or heard a song from.
(19) Gandhi (1982)
Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Mr Gandhi is simply, and I doubt few can argue this, one of the most humbling and moving roles to ever appear on screen. Oscar ridden as it was, the story of the man himself is epic enough. To capture it on film and in such a sympathetic manner is of huge credit to all involved. The story of the Indian man of peace, whose stoic belief in non-violent protest brought to an end the British Empires occupancy of its most treasured jewel, is one that needs telling. Where there was ignorance on so many matters this film brought reasoned clarity and truth. Few films can claim to be potentially life changing, this however, is one such film.
(18) Flash Gordon (1980)
Sam Jones role as Flash Gordon was camper than Graham Norton’s knicker drawer, but as an 8 year old you are blind to the hidden and sometimes subliminal messaging. What it was, was a riotous adventure of colour, sound and action. I also fell in love with Ming the Merciless daughter, the beautiful Princess Aura. Brian Blessed is still remembered for the greatest shout of ‘He’s ALIVE’ since Lazarus kicked his heels back into action. Over the top acting, Blue Peter presenters getting bitten by trunk dwelling nasties and a future James Bond looking like an Errol Flynn tribute this was kitsch, over the top and bloody good fun!
(17) First Blood (1982)
Vagrant Vietnam War veteran gets arrested and locked up for looking dirty in a small American mountain town. The escape and subsequent manhunt through the mountains is brutal. Whilst many of the ‘hard man action’ genre were contrived and over the top, there was a gritty element to this film that made it both believable and quite sad. For those too young to remember the Vietnam War or those unmoved by the treatment Stallone’s character receives, there is a touch of humanity sadly missing.
(16) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you, and my God didn’t he. In later films he became a comedic horror stalker but in his debut he was a brilliantly imagined character who would stalk the teenage children of those who had killed him, in their dreams. The crumpled fedora, striped sweater and bladed hands, Krueger to me was the most amazing anti hero of the 80’s. Both terrifying and somehow real, the lumbering axe murderers and mute faceless killers from yesteryear were now replaced with a killer who was fast, both physically and intellectually. Genre redefining and very, very good.
(15) The Lost Boys (1987)
An absolutely brilliant film. Long before Forks and insipid emo vampires, this was a nod to old school horror with a an 80’s sheen. A superb cast, gothic vampires and an incredible soundtrack. Set in the town of Santa Carla, Michael is seduced into a group of bikers by the gypsy like charm of Star, unbeknown to him that they are vampires. His younger brother senses something is not right, and what follows is formulaic and od fashioned vampire hunt. This film was a huge hit and rightly so, bringing a sense of teenage angst to the horror scene that resonated loudly with those who fell in love with its charm.
(14) The Jazz Singer (1980)
Neil Diamond is a favourite of mine, even to this day, and that is down to this film. A Jewish singer with dreams of stardom is seen as rebellious by his Rabbi father and their relationship is put to the test as the dreams of the child clash with the hopes of the father. Both seem too set in their ways but eventually compromises and dreams are realised. I will always remember the tune ‘Love on the Rocks’ being butchered by a young Paul Nicholas, and the role of the father, played by Laurence Olivier was simply brilliant, making me wish for many years to follow I had a character like that in my life.
(13) The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
For me, the best of the whole Star Wars saga, and by quite some distance. Yes, there was the usual sci fi specific moments, but this was a revealing insight into the relationships between characters and why the actions they performed were so significant. For the action sequences none are as iconic as the first glimpse of the All Terrain Armoured Transport (AT-AT) marching across the frozen Hoth icefields. There was betrayal in the Cloud City and the introduction to the most quoted sensei of all time, Master Yoda. When viewed in isolation it makes the introduction of ‘characters’ such as Jar Jar Binks in the years that followed even more unpalatable.
(12) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
What was there that could, and should not, have been loved about this film. For a mid teen like myself this was a film that you actually wanted to be a part of. Fast cars, pranks, angst, love, humour in abundance, fashion……. this was how you wanted to live life. Never mind the smell of Heather Guy in a WHS Biology lesson, or the humourless façade of Miss Duffield, this was how school, or rather a day off school should have been. Whilst Bueller lived his dream, we were all a part of it for he taught us how to dream and what we could achieve.
(11) Platoon (1986)
Vietnam was not just another war, it was the most hated war of its generation. It was also something that very few people knew about in my group of friends. This film changed that. It also changed the way war would be represented on screen forever more. Gone werethe clutched chests and dramatic death throes of previous films. This was visceral, death in full colour and vivid. It showed what the comics and toy soldiers we played with as children couldn’t. It also showed the futility of war, how it could unravel the mind and how it could be so effortlessly futile, how it could transform a man into a monster. That ‘Adagio for Strings’ is one of my favourite pieces of composition is testament to the imagery and memories it stirs as a result of this cinematic masterclass.
(10) Gremlins (1984)
Gizmo was the cutest character to ever appear on 80’s celluloid. The little Mogwai that captured our hearts and clearly inspired those bloody Furbies years later. The whole B movie setting and over the top characters, set at Christmas time, and with the perfect blend of both sentimentality and humour cements this movie in my top ten forever more. That the gremlins created so much havoc and destruction was presented in a way that never scared the audience, rather it made you feel a strange affinity with them. They possessed character and even a degree of charm, despite their chaotic and nasty nature.
(9) Mississippi Burning (1988)
A film that changed my entire perception of life. Dramatic perhaps but entirely true. I had never understood persecution or bigotry until I watched this, and having watched it I was a changed person. Set in the deep South of America, Willem Dafoe and Gene Hackman investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists. This draws them into the hideous world of the Klu Klux Klan and their role in the subjugation of the local populace. Disturbing and at times painful to watch, this film touched areas that had never been properly covered in a major film before. Anyone who watches this film and can come away with the same sense of judgement as before is a cold hearted individual. Were it not for some of the more disturbing scenes, this along with Schindler’s List should form part of the modern education curriculum, to show our children where hatred, either racially, religiously or otherwise motivated is the most destructive of emotions.
(8) Rain Man
A film that Tom Cruise, for once, can be proud of. His journey of understanding to his brother’s autism is as real a piece of acting as he has ever managed since. The star of course was Dustin Hoffman, cast in the role of Rain Man. A film that both educates and frightens at the same time, especially as during the 80’s autism did not exist, at least in my teenage mind. There were good children and bad children. To see that there was far more to the human psyche than the stereotypical good versus bad scenario was both eye opening and at times, inspirational. A film that taught me far more than I should ever have needed to learn and one I draw great strength from, even today.
(7) Trading Places (1983)
Eddie Murphy never surpassed his role as Billy Ray Valentine. The whole concept was brilliant and the characters ensured that you bough into the whole story. Valentine, a shameless hustler, is placed in a role of stock trader at the expense of the excellent Dan Ackroyd, and all for the amusement of two old millionaire bankers who have wagered a pound that a person is shaped by their surroundings. As a social experiment there may be plenty of debate as to why this experiment was fundamentally flawed but so what? Fantastic humour, touches of real human insight and Jamie Lee Curtis bringing a lot of young boys into puberty with a bang. Another of those films that can still be watched today with the same level of fun as when first made. Encapsulated both 80’s greed and excess perfectly. Did I mention Jamie Lee Curtis?
(6) Full Metal jacket (1987)
Spurred on by the success of Platoon, this was another trip to Vietnam, but with a difference. The film was intent on showing not only the graphic horror of the war overseas, but the regime beforehand that was need to prepare men for such a conflict. Lee Ermey was magnificent as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. His rhetoric and uncompromising approach to training his recruits was both hysterical and frightening. Whilst on the whole there was a method in his madness, it all ended with tears when the donut stealing Private Pyle chose to shoot him in one of the most talked about scenes in the 80’s. Fast forward to the war itself and it is the duality of man that is displayed, horrific war scenes set against moments of philosophical debate. Never before or since has a film about such an emotive subject covered so many areas, and covered them with the realism that this one does.
(5) Stand by Me (1986)
Set in Castle Rock in 1959, this is the greatest adaptation of a Stephen King story until many years later when Shawshank and Green Mile equalled, but never surpassed this accolade. Four young boys set out on a walk to find the body of a child, rumoured to have been killed in a car accident. What unfolds is the delightful journey that unveils the depth of character in these young boys, as they reveal their inner fears and their hopes for the future. The end result is secondary as what they find at the end of their trip will never surpass their finding of the meaning of life along the way. To provide a synopsis of this film and the profound effect it had on me would take an age, but this film would be in my top ten of all time, never mind just one decade.
(4) The Breakfast Club (1985)
A very simple idea that delivers on far more levels than you expect it to. Five teens are placed in detention, all from differing backgrounds and social standings within the school. What follows is an example of the danger of assumption and stereotyping. The cocksure sportsman who rather than be the confident kid they all assume is plagued by a pressurised relationship with his father is symptomatic of the issues they all have. A mistrust of not only their own self perception but those of everyone around them, the fear of meeting their parents expectations rather than their own. Two letters frame the film and to rewrite them here would be a huge spoiler, but what it shows is that we are far more complex as individuals than we ever realise with our whole being far more similar to those around us than we ever dare admit.
(3) The Elephant Man (1980)
On first drawing up this list I didn’t include the film. It was black and white and I assumed, incorrectly obviously, that it was from the sixties. I remember being terrified of the Elephant Man, the hugely disfigured John Merrick. Just the level of disfigurement alone was awful for a young child to behold who had never encountered anything like it before. By the end of the film though I was crying, completely distraught that this man had received such a cruel fate and been treated so badly. The realisation that however this poor wretch looked, he was intelligent, he was thoughtful, he was, well he was human. He was me.
(2) The Goonies (1985)
My favourite childhood film. I have watched it a hundred times, as an adult as much as a child because there is something in this little bit of nostalgic that is so comforting. The tale is a simple one, as all the best stories are. Two brothers are going to move out of their childhood home, due to be bulldozed to make way for a golf course. Grouping together with their strange bunch of friends they do the obvious thing, look for pirate treasure. The treasure of the disgustingly named ‘One Eyed Willy’. Along their way they encounter the Fratelli family, hell-bent on getting the treasure for their own nefarious needs. Sloth, who can ever forget the Neil Jenkins lookylike, when he unveils his Superman t-shirt or the oft playground repeated Truffle Shuffle from Chunk. Simply brilliant.
(1) Scarface (1983)
1980 Miami and Antonio Montana, a ‘political refugee’ from Cuba has arrived. From the Giorgio Moroder introduction music at the start, through to the apocalyptic gunfight at the end this film never, ever lets up. More quotable than any film I know, the ascent to the top of the criminal underworld and the subsequent descent into a cocaine encouraged paranoia that sees his empire crumble around him, is so well played out that you do actually end up rooting for the bad guy. The level of violence is off putting to some but if you think this kind of shit doesn’t happen in real life, then you are as deluded as those who believe that drug culture is a thing of the past. The excesses of money, power and sexual overtones in the film sum up to me what the 80’s will be remembered best for.
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