View Full Version : Best films over 3 hours
I watched Doctor Zhivago for the first time last night. I quite enjoyed it but feel like they could have made the historical events going on a lot more interesting rather than them just being a bit of a sideshow. I don't think they really sold Zhivago and Lara's relationship as being that special either which made me think he was just a bit of a bastard for cheating on his wife.
Anyway it was 3 and a half hours I'll never get back which got me thinking about which other films of that sort of length are actually worth watching.
For me:
The first two Godfathers
Lawrence of Arabia
Wolf of Wall Street
The Hateful Eight
All justify their length. Will be interested to hear about any really good ones I haven't seen though as I do quite like watching long epics when I have a completely free evening
On the other hand, films which didn't justify the length:
The Irishman
Once Upon a Time in America
Poll coming
Interestingly the third LOTR film is the only one which makes this cut off
Fellowship of the Ring is 2 minutes short and the Two Towers is 1 minute short
_Seth
29-01-2023, 09:38 AM
If I'm loving the film and don't want to leave that "world" yet then I love it when they're long. I voted for Godfather 1&2, Green Mile, Wolf of Wall Street and Titanic.
I love Alexander (2004), so I'd have added that.
If I'm loving the film and don't want to leave that "world" yet then I love it when they're long. I voted for Godfather 1&2, Green Mile, Wolf of Wall Street and Titanic.
I love Alexander (2004), so I'd have added that.
Alexander with 16% on Rotten Tomatoes :skull:
Green Mile is one I feel I should watch but haven't
_Seth
29-01-2023, 11:49 AM
I know it's an unpopular opinion but damn I love Alexander. XD
Crimson Dynamo
29-01-2023, 11:55 AM
The Godfather 5 71.43%
The Godfather: Part II 4 57.14%
Schindler's List 3 42.86%
LOTR: Return of the King 0 0%
Green Mile 4 57.14%
Once Upon a Time in America 1 14.29%
Lawrence of Arabia 1 14.29%
Wolf of Wall Street 3 42.86%
The Deer Hunter 3 42.86%
Dances With Wolves 1 14.29%
Titanic 4 57.14%
Doctor Zhivago 0 0%
The Hateful Eight 1 14.29%
The Irishman 2 28.57%
Spartacus
The Good, the bad and the Ugly and The Ten Commandments are two of the best films ever. Both must watch films.
Barry Lyndon is OK, it has one of my favourite movie scenes ever in it. The duel scene.
Gone with the wind is worth a watch.
Cleopatra is is OK. The first half before Caesar, played by Rex Harrison is killed, is great but the second half not as good.
Godfather 1&2 win hands down for me. They have stood the test of time and there is no looking at your watch to see how long they have to go. Compare that to the LOR films and for me they are utterly boring now
Godfather 1&2 win hands down for me. They have stood the test of time and there is no looking at your watch to see how long they have to go. Compare that to the LOR films and for me they are utterly boring now
I’d agree … I also loved Goodfellas and LA Confidential
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In fact this game isn’t holding my attention.. I may try and watch LA Confidential before the Wrexham game
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I watched Green Mile tonight. It was okay, quite a powerful film, but I don't think it justified it's length. It's a very simple and contained story :shrug:
Think I will watch the Deer Hunter or the Ten Commandments for my next long film
I watched Green Mile tonight. It was okay, quite a powerful film, but I don't think it justified it's length. It's a very simple and contained story :shrug:
Think I will watch the Deer Hunter or the Ten Commandments for my next long filmDeer Hunter can be boring. There is the odd good bit in it, but there's also some long boring bits
Ten Commandments (1956 version) is fantastic, it's the story of Moses.
Deer Hunter can be boring. There is the odd good bit in it, but there's also some long boring bits
Ten Commandments (1956 version) is fantastic, it's the story of Moses.
The bearded guy doesnt have the atmosphere of deer hunter.
Go for deerhunter first.
Mystic Mock
03-02-2023, 11:52 PM
The only one on the poll that I've watched is LOTR.
And tbh it's a great Film so it was likely to get my vote.:laugh:
Mystic Mock
03-02-2023, 11:55 PM
I know it's an unpopular opinion but damn I love Alexander. XD
There's nothing wrong with having an unpopular opinion.
It's like me with Berserk 2016 & Sonic Boom: Rise Of Lyric, I'll defend them as really fun entries till the cows come home.:laugh:
The only one on the poll that I've watched is LOTR.
And tbh it's a great Film so it was likely to get my vote.:laugh:
You just have to watch Schindler's list.
Vanessa
04-02-2023, 05:11 AM
I love The Godfather 1and 2.
The Deer Hunter is an amazing movie.
I like Lord of the rings actually.
Mystic Mock
04-02-2023, 05:48 AM
You just have to watch Schindler's list.
I'll try to check it out over the next few days.
My long film this evening was Ben-Hur. Thought it was fantastic, amazing how well the production holds up over 60 years after it was made. The chariot scene was the highlight and my only criticism is that I think the film petered out a bit after that
I saw Ten Commandments a few weeks ago and that was good too but I think Ben Hur trumps it
Crimson Dynamo
24-03-2023, 09:55 PM
youtube means i will never watch a long film again
My long film this evening was Ben-Hur. Thought it was fantastic, amazing how well the production holds up over 60 years after it was made. The chariot scene was the highlight and my only criticism is that I think the film petered out a bit after that
I saw Ten Commandments a few weeks ago and that was good too but I think Ben Hur trumps itNever. Ben Hur is good but the Ten Commandments tops it.
Yul Brynner as Ramses is fantastic. And Charlton Heston is better than he is in Ben Hur. And there is the great Edward G Robinson as Dathan
Cleopatra is another good one. The first half is great, The second half not so great. Rex Harrison is a superb Caesar. Sadly Caesar dies half way through. Bloody Brutus the backstabbing swine.
A couple of plus three hour films from the 1990s. JFK and Malcolm X.
JFK is great. I haven't seen Malcolm X, but I want to and will hopefully do that some time.
After you've finished your films over 3 hours adventure, come back to me and I'll set you up on an Alfred Hitchcock adventure. You can't be a real movie fan and not have tried some Hitchcock. I'll pick you out the must see's of his movies.
Niamh.
24-03-2023, 11:09 PM
Deer Hunter can be boring. There is the odd good bit in it, but there's also some long boring bits
Ten Commandments (1956 version) is fantastic, it's the story of Moses.Was just going to say that I thought the Deer Hunter was really boring
The Green mile
Lord of the Rings - Return of the King
Schlindlers list
Would be my picks
Niamh.
24-03-2023, 11:11 PM
After you've finished your films over 3 hours adventure, come back to me and I'll set you up on an Alfred Hitchcock adventure. You can't be a real movie fan and not have tried some Hitchcock. I'll pick you out the must see's of his movies.I used to love Alfred Hitchcook Presents years ago, I think they were the creepiest but cleverest of the short, creepy story tv shows
Was just going to say that I thought the Deer Hunter was really boring
The Green mile
Lord of the Rings - Return of the King
Schlindlers list
Would be my picksThe wedding scene at the beginning drags on for far too long. The Russian roulette scenes are great though.
I used to love Alfred Hitchcook Presents years ago, I think they were the creepiest but cleverest of the short, creepy story tv showsHave you never watched his films?
His movie catalogue has more classics than any other director. He is the master.
LaLaLand
25-03-2023, 12:59 AM
At almost exactly three hours long (think it's a couple of minutes shy), I have to give a shoutout to La Dolce Vita (1960) by the legendary Italian director Federico Fellini.
Amazing movie. One of the best ever actually.
At almost exactly three hours long (think it's a couple of minutes shy), I have to give a shoutout to La Dolce Vita (1960) by the legendary Italian director Federico Fellini.
Amazing movie. One of the best ever actually.I don't speak Italian, which means I'd have to read subtitles. Books are for reading, not motion pictures, that's how I see it. How can you enjoy the visual picture on screen if all your time is taken up reading?
I have watched plenty of foreign language films and enjoyed some but I'd rather go with the English language films, then I can more than usually make sense of it more.
I have a Fellini film in my Dvd collection "Amacord" it does nothing for me.
LaLaLand
25-03-2023, 04:02 AM
I don't speak Italian, which means I'd have to read subtitles. Books are for reading, not motion pictures, that's how I see it. How can you enjoy the visual picture on screen if all your time is taken up reading?
I have watched plenty of foreign language films and enjoyed some but I'd rather go with the English language films, then I can more than usually make sense of it more.
I have a Fellini film in my Dvd collection "Amacord" it does nothing for me.
Italian, French, Spanish, Asian films among others can be absolutely spectacular if given the chance. I don't speak Italian whatsoever either and yet it's one of my all time favourites.
The visuals alone (Rome, or predominantly the nightlife of Rome, in 1960), the cinematography, culture etc. It's a real feast for the eyes. The dialogue is almost secondary in this case and with most others. Fellini's not for everyone and I'm not big on some of his movies as they can be a bit too OTT and flamboyant (the movie you have Amarcord is alright - it's all about his own childhood experiences living through the fascism in Italy in the 1930's).
8 1/2 is his best movie though technically and thematically. It's considered a masterpiece to many. A bit art house at times but a real spectacle. The opening sequence alone is like nothing I'd ever seen before. Really anxiety/fear inducing:
6TsElhgMeXE
Recent foreign language must-sees include Parasite (Best Picture Oscar Winner - South Korean), Roma (Spanish/Mexico) and Drive My Car (Japanese). Highly recommend. :love:
I don't speak Italian, which means I'd have to read subtitles. Books are for reading, not motion pictures, that's how I see it. How can you enjoy the visual picture on screen if all your time is taken up reading?
I have watched plenty of foreign language films and enjoyed some but I'd rather go with the English language films, then I can more than usually make sense of it more.
I have a Fellini film in my Dvd collection "Amacord" it does nothing for me.
I watch movies and tv series with subtitles and you don’t miss a thing ..currently watching the fabulous Italian gangster series Romanzo Criminal
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Italian, French, Spanish, Asian films among others can be absolutely spectacular if given the chance. I don't speak Italian whatsoever either and yet it's one of my all time favourites.
The visuals alone (Rome, or predominantly the nightlife of Rome, in 1960), the cinematography, culture etc. It's a real feast for the eyes. The dialogue is almost secondary in this case and with most others. Fellini's not for everyone and I'm not big on some of his movies as they can be a bit too OTT and flamboyant (the movie you have Amarcord is alright - it's all about his own childhood experiences living through the fascism in Italy in the 1930's).
8 1/2 is his best movie though technically and thematically. It's considered a masterpiece to many. A bit art house at times but a real spectacle. The opening sequence alone is like nothing I'd ever seen before. Really anxiety/fear inducing:
6TsElhgMeXE
Recent foreign language must-sees include Parasite (Best Picture Oscar Winner - South Korean), Roma (Spanish/Mexico) and Drive My Car (Japanese). Highly recommend. :love:I did go through a phase of collecting foreign language movies but it came to a halt a couple of years ago.
I have three Kurasawa movies from Japan (Rashamon, The Seven Samurai and Ran) A couple of Bergman movies from Sweden (The Seventh seal and Fanny and Alexander) A Di Sica movie (Bicycle thieves) and a Fellini movie (Amacord) as well as Cinema Paradiso from Italy. A Goddard movie (Breathless) and a Haneke movie (Hidden) each from France. I have Das Boot and Downfall which I think are both German. I have Oldboy, which I think is Hong Kong. I also have City of God which is Brazilian and Pan's Labyrinth and Spirit of the beehive which I believe are both Spanish. I also have a couple of Mel Gibson movies (The passion of the Christ and Apocalypto) which are both subtitles as far as I can remember.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 04:53 AM
The Godfather definitely. It may be 3 hours long, but I could sit and watch it anytime and I never notice how long it is. That's how great of a move it is.
Same for part two.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 04:57 AM
A couple of plus three hour films from the 1990s. JFK and Malcolm X.
JFK is great. I haven't seen Malcolm X, but I want to and will hopefully do that some time.
JFK is great. That's my favourite movie from Kevin Costner. That and No way out.
LaLaLand
25-03-2023, 04:57 AM
I did go through a phase of collecting foreign language movies but it came to a halt a couple of years ago.
I have three Kurasawa movies from Japan (Rashamon, The Seven Samurai and Ran) A couple of Bergman movies from Sweden (The Seventh seal and Fanny and Alexander) A Di Sica movie (Bicycle thieves) and a Fellini movie (Amacord) as well as Cinema Paradiso from Italy. A Goddard movie (Breathless) and a Haneke movie (Hidden) each from France. I have Das Boot and Downfall which I think are both German. I have Oldboy, which I think is Hong Kong. I also have City of God which is Brazilian and Pan's Labyrinth and Spirit of the beehive which I believe are both Spanish. I also have a couple of Mel Gibson movies (The passion of the Christ and Apocalypto) which are both subtitles as far as I can remember.
Ah nice! You have a good range there.
Apocalypto that you mentioned at the end I think is fantastic. Really visceral movie. Crazy to think Mel Gibson's been behind some real works of art.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 04:59 AM
I've recently seen Amarcord at my local cinema.
It was brilliant. I forgot how long it was,I was enjoying it so much.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 04:59 AM
Ah nice! You have a good range there.
Apocalypto that you mentioned at the end I think is fantastic. Really visceral movie. Crazy to think Mel Gibson's been behind some real works of art.
That is a great movie.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 05:00 AM
I watch movies and tv series with subtitles and you don’t miss a thing ..currently watching the fabulous Italian gangster series Romanzo Criminal
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I haven't seen that yet.
I'll try to check it out over the next few days.
Did you?
Mystic Mock
25-03-2023, 07:22 AM
Did you?
I haven't yet.
I am a really bad procrastinator sometimes.:joker:
I honestly will try to pencil it in.
Never. Ben Hur is good but the Ten Commandments tops it.
Yul Brynner as Ramses is fantastic. And Charlton Heston is better than he is in Ben Hur. And there is the great Edward G Robinson as Dathan
Cleopatra is another good one. The first half is great, The second half not so great. Rex Harrison is a superb Caesar. Sadly Caesar dies half way through. Bloody Brutus the backstabbing swine.
I agree about Brynner being fantastic, I just think Ben Hur is a bit more memorable
Seems I've still got a lot of epics to work through which might delay any Hitchcock watching. Think JFK, Deer Hunter, Spartacus will be my next three. Intrigued by LaLaLand's Italian suggestion as well. I'd like to try watch Gone With the Wind at some point as well
It's funny how many ancient history/religious epics were produced in the late 50s/early 60s, must have been a proper swords and sandals craze
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 08:51 AM
I love Gone with the wind, but it is really long.
Livia
25-03-2023, 03:14 PM
Two minutes short... but, The Longest Day. One of the best war films ever made.
Kazanne
25-03-2023, 03:16 PM
Dances with Wolves is my favourite film ever, watch it evertime its on.
I haven't seen that yet.
Thank me later ..
22 hours later :)
Based on the actual events / lives of three young gang members who form a new gang and take control of Rome ..
https://www.bitchute.com/video/bc9UpWFx8sco/
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I agree about Brynner being fantastic, I just think Ben Hur is a bit more memorable
Seems I've still got a lot of epics to work through which might delay any Hitchcock watching. Think JFK, Deer Hunter, Spartacus will be my next three. Intrigued by LaLaLand's Italian suggestion as well. I'd like to try watch Gone With the Wind at some point as well
It's funny how many ancient history/religious epics were produced in the late 50s/early 60s, must have been a proper swords and sandals craze
Is it Ben Hur where some actors actually lost their lives in the chariot race
Families agreed to leave the footage in the movie ..
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Livia
25-03-2023, 03:22 PM
I would have voted for Schindler's List, it's a really important film and I think everyone should watch it once. But it's not something I could watch again.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 05:18 PM
I would have voted for Schindler's List, it's a really important film and I think everyone should watch it once. But it's not something I could watch again.
It makes me cry everytime I see it.
Vanessa
25-03-2023, 05:26 PM
The last one I've seen is Amarcord. Absolutely brilliant. Love Fellini.
LaLaLand
26-03-2023, 04:13 AM
I just realised Babylon that came out just the other month is over 3 hours long.
Seems to have split critics and viewers alike but I personally really enjoyed it. It's very OTT and "loud" in every possible way (subjects, scenes, themes, music, colours, sets, everything) but it was a fantastic romp through the overindulgent insanity of 1920's Hollywood during the switch from silent movies to "talkies".
Damien Chazelle is a fabulous director.
LaLaLand
26-03-2023, 04:13 AM
Shoutout to Scorsese's The Irishman too (3.5 hrs) which I thought was fantastic!
Mystic Mock
26-03-2023, 05:38 AM
I tried getting into Schindler's List and it wasn't for me to be brutally honest.
I get it's appeal though, but just not my kind of thing.
Vanessa
26-03-2023, 08:56 AM
Shoutout to Scorsese's The Irishman too (3.5 hrs) which I thought was fantastic!
I haven't seen that.
Vanessa
26-03-2023, 08:58 AM
For me The Deer Hunter is an incredible movie.
But you have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it.
And I love the soundtrack, it's so beautiful.
Vanessa
26-03-2023, 08:59 AM
I tried getting into Schindler's List and it wasn't for me to be brutally honest.
I get it's appeal though, but just not my kind of thing.
Liam Neeson is so good in that
Niamh.
26-03-2023, 09:01 AM
Shoutout to Scorsese's The Irishman too (3.5 hrs) which I thought was fantastic!I fell asleep during it, so boring
Vanessa
26-03-2023, 09:09 AM
I think Avatar, way of the water is another brilliant one.
I never noticed how long it was.
Niamh.
26-03-2023, 09:16 AM
I think Avatar, way of the water is another brilliant one.
I never noticed how long it was.Oh yeah me too, I'd add that to my list
I tried getting into Schindler's List and it wasn't for me to be brutally honest.
I get it's appeal though, but just not my kind of thing.
That is a truly remarkable movie to be fair
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I would have voted for Schindler's List, it's a really important film and I think everyone should watch it once. But it's not something I could watch again.
Agreed
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Dances with Wolves is my favourite film ever, watch it evertime its on.
It's on today at 2.35 on 5action.
Mystic Mock
26-03-2023, 04:01 PM
That is a truly remarkable movie to be fair
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I think it's because the topic matter is too depressing for me.
Don't get me wrong I like dark content, but I think when it's more fictional rather than knowing that it actually happened, because it takes a bit of the entertainment away from an entertainment product for me.
And I am with Vanessa that Liam Neeson did a good acting performance, but then I did like him on Star Wars so I'm not too shocked there.
LaLaLand
26-03-2023, 11:38 PM
I thought Avatar was absolutely dire. Not even contemplating the second one.
I thought Avatar was absolutely dire. Not even contemplating the second one.Yeah, I don't see the fascination, I've only seen the first one and it's pretty boring. I think James Cameron did far better with the first two Terminator movies and Titanic. And Cameron is massively overrated as a director. I'm not saying he's a bad director but there's much, much better available.
I thought Avatar was absolutely dire. Not even contemplating the second one.You come across as a cinema movie fan, I am also that and I'm very knowledgeable on the history of cinema. So if anytime you want any recommendations or knowledge, just ask and I'd be happy to engage with you.
I love the movies from every era from the 1930s to the present day (which with all the wokeness is disappointing)
My adventure is to go deeper into the silent era. I already know it all of the talkie times.
Seriously, I'm happy to help on your movie discovery, so don't be shy to ask. I love talking about the movies.
I can give you great recommendations of what to watch from cinema history.
You don't need to be embarrassed about engaging with me in movies. The people on Tibb no nothing about cinema history. We could learn them a lot. And Trust me. I laugh at embarresment Bracause it only exists for losers.
Vanessa
12-04-2023, 09:20 AM
The Godfather for me remains the best one.
It's so good you won't even notice the running time.
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