NOTE: With the release of “Gladiator II” on Friday, there have been lots of lists published online that rank Ridley Scott’s best films. It’s time to up this poll, which was conducted last year, timed for the release of “Napoleon.”
Around 120 critics voted on Ridley Scott’s best films and it was 1979’s “Alien” that topped the poll with 93 votes, barely edging out 1982’s “Blade Runner (87 votes).
Critics were asked to submit their personal five favorite Scott films. As you can imagine, since Scott has directed 28 films in a span of 5 decades, there was an assortment of choices available.
Some critics abstained from participating, with one cheekily adding, “has he even made five good movies?” Another critic, who refused to participate, wondered why such a poll should even exist, adding “There’s “Alien,” “Blade Runner” and then what?”
The peculiar directorial career of Scott is one that you cannot help but respect. The legendary English-born filmmaker is turning 86 this December. Scott isn’t just a workaholic, churning out almost one movie per year, but in his nearly five-decade career, he’s managed to release as many great films as he has mediocre ones. The fact that he still remains active, having survived the tumultuously monopolized changes in the industry, feels like some kind of small miracle.
The glossiness of a Scott production cannot be overemphasized. Crossing through various different genres, he is and has always been about classicist cinema. The lighting. The meticulously accurate attention to set design and detail. Ridley Scott is first and foremost a top craftsman.
RESULTS
1) “Alien” — 94 votes
2) “Blade Runner” — 88
3) “Thelma and Louise” — 67
4) “The Martian” — 45
5) “Gladiator” — 41
6) “Black Hawk Down” — 29
7) “The Duellists” — 24
8) “The Last Duel” — 18
9) “The Counselor” — 17
10) “Matchstick Men” — 13
10) “American Gangster” — 13
12) “Kingdom of Heaven” — 11
13) “Prometheus” — 9
14) “Hannibal” — 6
14) “Black Rain” — 5
16) “GI Jane” — 4
16) “All the Money in the World” — 4
18) “Legend” — 3
18) “The House of Gucci” — 3
Films that garnered just 1 vote include “Someone Watch Over Me”, “White Squall,” “A Good Year,” “Exodus,” and “Body of Lies”. Scott’s 2010 retelling of “Robin Hood” was the only film in his filmography to not be mentioned by the 120+ critics polled.
Of course, almost none, if any, of the critics polled saw Scott’s “Napoleon,” which is supposed to be released on November 22nd. The ballots for this poll will be published later today.