Why Top Directors Rate This Classic Above All Others
James Cameron and the Coen brothers both agree that "The Wizard Of Oz" is the greatest movie ever made, highlighting its enduring impact and universal acclaim.
Art’s always up for debate. What one punter calls a masterpiece, another might reckon is a total flop. Picking the best film ever made is a bit like arguing over the best footy team – everyone’s got their own take. But when you’ve got blokes like James Cameron and the Coen brothers both backing the same flick, it’s hard not to sit up and take notice.
Cameron and the Coens couldn’t be more different in their approach to filmmaking. Cameron’s known for his massive, big-budget blockbusters. He’s the bloke who gets studios to fork out eye-watering sums, all for films that push the limits of what’s possible on screen. Think of the scale of his work – he’s always chasing the next big thing, whether it’s new tech or epic storytelling. His films are serious business, rarely leaving room for a laugh.
Different Styles, Same Favourite
On the flip side, the Coen brothers are all about the oddball humour. Even when they’re being serious, there’s always a bit of a wink to the audience. Their films are packed with dark comedy, and after they dropped Fargo, every quirky script seemed to take a page from their book. Their style is unmistakable, but it’s a world away from Cameron’s brand of cinema.
So, when these two camps both point to the same film as the greatest, it’s worth a closer look. For Cameron, the choice is clear.
“My favourite film is The Wizard Of Oz,”
he’s said. It might sound like an obvious pick, but he’s got his reasons.
“It’s been with me my whole life, from first viewing on a black-and-white TV as a kid in the early ’60s to my periodic family screenings of it to this day. It’s still as magical now as it ever was,”
he explained. For him, it’s a film that’s never lost its spark.
Lasting Impact and Influence
Released back in 1939, The Wizard Of Oz was a game-changer. Its bold use of Technicolour gave cinema a fresh burst of life, and Judy Garland’s turn as Dorothy made her a household name. Decades on, the film’s still a touchstone for creatives and a joy for audiences everywhere. It’s not just nostalgia – it’s a film that keeps finding new fans, generation after generation.
The Coen brothers are just as keen on it. Joel Coen once admitted,
“All we’ve been doing for the last 25 years is remaking The Wizard of Oz.”
For them, it’s the gold standard, the film that’s always in the back of their minds.
“It’s true. Sometimes consciously, and sometimes we don’t realise until after we’ve made the movie.”
They even owned up to taking direct inspiration for one of their own films:
“Consciously in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Oz is the only film we just rip off left and right.”
Universal Appeal
It’s rare to see such different filmmakers agree so completely. The fact that both Cameron and the Coens hold The Wizard Of Oz in such high regard says a lot about its staying power. It’s not just a matter of personal taste anymore – the film’s place in history is set. No other work seems to have such a grip on the greats, and it’s still as relevant as ever for anyone who loves a good story on the big screen.