Movies Turning 50 In 2014

by Helen Earnshaw | 3 May 2014

Zulu

1964 was a great year for movies, as some iconic characters were either introduced for the first time or returned.

A handful of the films that were released that year have gone on to truly stand the test of time - they really are films that are as good today as they were back then.

We take a look at some of the films that will be celebrating their fiftieth anniversary this year.

- Zulu

Zulu remains one of the greatest war movies, as director Cy Endfield brought the battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus to the big screen.

The movie was based on an article by historical writer Prebble and recounted how 150 British soldiers held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.

Endfield brought together a terrific cast as Stanley Baker, Michael Caine, Jack Hawkins, and James Booth were all on board: Zulu was one of the breakthrough movies for Caine.

Zulu was met with critical acclaim and box office success when it was released, and is still remains one of the best British movies of all time.

- Mary Poppins

If you have seen the movie Saving Mr Banks, you will know that it took Walt Disney twenty years to convince author P.L Travers to let him adapt her novel for the big screen.

In 1964 his vision of the book hit the big screen, as Julie Andrews made her big screen debut in the title role.

Robert Stevenson was in the director's chair for the film, in what was a mix of live action and animation. The movie follows the nanny as she changes the lives of a dysfunctional family in London.

Mary Poppins was met with acclaim when it was released, and went on to pick up thirteen Oscar nominations. Winning five, including Best Actress.

- A Fistful of Dollars

While A Fistful of Dollars wasn't released in the U.S. and UK until 1967, the film was originally released in Italy in 1964.

Clint Eastwood has played a whole host of iconic characters throughout his career, but 'The Man With No Name' remains one of his best.

A Fistful of Dollars was the first of three Spaghetti Western films that Eastwood would make with director Sergio Leone: For A Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly would follow.

A Fistful of Dollar remains one of the standout films in this genre, and Leone's movies have inspired a generation of filmmakers.

- My Fair Lady

In 1964, an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion hit the big screen - but this time it had been given a musical makeover.

George Cukor was in the director's chair, while Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison teamed up to play Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins.

The movie follows flower girl Eliza, as she is taught to speak like a lady by phonetics professor Higgins.

Despite surprise at Hepburn's casting over Julie Andrews - who had played this role on stage - critics and audiences were won over by her performance and the film.

My Fair Lady went on to win eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.

- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Stanley Kubrick has made some terrific films during his directing career, and Dr Strangelove remains one of them.

The dark comedy marked the seventh feature film for Kubrick, as he directed, wrote, and produced the film: which was based on the book Red Alert by Peter George.

Peter Seller took on a series of different roles in the film - including Dr Strangelove - in what was another masterclass from the versatile actor.

The movie followed an insane general triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically try to stop.

Dr Strangelove is widely regarded as one of the best political satire movies of all time, and was nominated for seven Oscars: including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best actor.

- Goldfinger

James Bond is the longest running film franchise of all time - 2012 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Dr No hitting the big screen.

This year, it is Goldfinger that is celebrating its 50th anniversary, as Sean Connery returned to the role of 007.

The movie introduced us to some of the franchise's most famous characters, including Auric Goldfinger, Pussy Galore, and Jill Masterson.

Goldfinger was a hit at the box office, and went on to be the first Bond film to win an Oscar: Norman Wanstall won for Best Sound Effects Editing.

Goldfinger is one of the most enduring Bond films, with the characters and moments - Masterson found dead painted gold - going on to become iconic staples of the franchise.