Last week, the Library of Congress’ National Film Preservation Board announced the latest 25 films to be added to National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. ”
More significantly, once a title is added to the registry, the Library makes every effort to preserve the film for future generations to enjoy. The full list of films run the gambit from full, feature length films, short subjects, documentary and experimental works.
When I was younger, I was obsessed with this list; year after year I would go about composing my list and submitting it to the Library for consideration. I also used this list as a checklist for films that I must see.
It has been several years since I have done that but it is still pretty cool to see what the selections that are made from year to year.
The Class of 2011 is as follows:
- Allures (1961)
- Bambi (1942)
- The Big Heat (1953)
- A Computer Animated Hand (1972)
- Crisis: Behind A Presidential Commitment (1963)
- The Cry of the Children (1912)
- A Cure for Pokeritis (1912)
- El Mariachi (1992)
- Faces (1968)
- Fake Fruit Factory (1986)
- Forrest Gump (1994)
- Growing Up Female (1971)
- Hester Street (1975)
- I, an Actress (1977)
- The Iron Horse (1924)
- The Kid (1921)
- The Lost Weekend (1945)
- The Negro Soldier (1944)
- Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies (1930s-40s)
- Norma Rae (1979)
- Porgy and Bess (1959)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Stand and Deliver (1988)
- Twentieth Century (1934)
- War of the Worlds (1953)
Click here to view the complete list (from 1989-Present).
If you get a moment, take a look at the list. After looking checking it out, ask yourself: What films would you like to see on the list? your voice can be heard – nominations are open to the public. If you are passionate enough about a film not on the list, you can nominate your film by going to this site.
But before you go and try to nominate The Dark Knight, know that you can’t, well not at least for 2019 – the nominated film has to be at least 10 years old.
Scott Lawlor says
January 4, 2012 at 1:17 amWOW that is cool. A list for the masses by the masses.
A Great idea.
I don’t know if I am knowledgable enough to contribute but it is a great place to find a marathon to try!!
iluvcinema says
January 4, 2012 at 8:40 amI think you are Scott; like I said, I was a teen when I started recommending movies. As long as you feel the film has a cultural significance you can nominate it. It is a pretty transparent process.
Jack Deth says
January 4, 2012 at 8:24 amHi, iluv and company:
Cool looking list!
Very pleased that ‘The Big Heat’, ‘Faces’ and ‘War Of The Worlds’ made it.
iluvcinema says
January 4, 2012 at 8:41 amIt is a pretty cool list 😀
Jack Deth says
January 4, 2012 at 5:25 pmHi again, iluv;
IMDb had a multiple choice test on the films of the Registry yesterday. I took it going in blind and got around 35%.
It’s great to see the number of good Sci-Fi and Noir films listed. Even some old to ancient cartoons like Duck Amuck , Let’s All Go To The Lobby. a staple of the Drive In Movie fan of the 1960s and 70s.. and Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Pirate .
iluvcinema says
January 4, 2012 at 5:29 pmCool. Maybe I will try it when I get home!
Ja says
January 4, 2012 at 9:34 amI love the Registry, and am intrigued by the film “The Negro Soldier” on the list. I had never heard of it. Very happy to see El Mariachi and Stand and Deliver (reminds me of my dad) on the list. Thanks for compiling. Keep up the good work in 2012!
iluvcinema says
January 4, 2012 at 11:07 amHere is more information on the documentary. It is interesting indeed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Negro_Soldier
Also, if you follow this website, they will update you and let you know when titles become available for home viewing.
Ja says
January 4, 2012 at 8:48 pmThanks for the insight-iluvit!
ruth says
January 4, 2012 at 12:08 pmVery informative post, Iba. I haven’t seen many of these, but yay for Bambi! Nice to see a few of Peck films already included, though I’d love to see The Big Country being included, that’s such a great Western. If I’m really ambitious, I should try to see all of those films on the NFR list 😀
iluvcinema says
January 4, 2012 at 12:13 pmGo ahead and submit your nomination for 2012 😉
Nostra says
January 10, 2012 at 7:56 amI don’t know if you have seen it already, but I suggest watching the documentary These Amazing Shadows, which is about the Registry. It shows why it was created and has a lot of people talking about why it is so important and why some movies were chosen. Very interesting to watch if you are a movie lover.
iluvcinema says
January 10, 2012 at 8:37 amRe: documentary – I briefly saw the homepage when I was putting this piece together but really did not time to take a look at the details of the doc.
Thanks for the additional insight!