Picture 50: Annie Hall (1977)

With an average score of 8.4/10, the 1970s is the most successful decade to date for the Best Picture Film Blog. It eclipses even the 1940s – the golden age of Hollywood. Now the half century is up, can Annie Hall continue this purple patch?

1977 introduces Woody Allen who writes, directs and stars as Alvy Singer in this romantic comedy-drama. Diane Keaton returns to the blog to play the title character and Alvy’s love interest. The role was specifically written with Keaton in mind.  

Yet again, the 70s delivers a classic. From New York to Los Angeles, this neurotic relationship drama uses innovative methods of storytelling, the fourth wall without being gimmicky and psychoanalytic tools to create an eminently watchable picture. We are taken on a journey through the inner workings of the mind and its romantic tribulations in a way that is daring and rare for the art form.

Despite its excellence, one does find themselves itching for the end credits after 80 minutes. The final running time of 93 minutes is certainly long enough. Everybody ultimately needs a break from being inside Woody’s head and being bathed in his psychiatric maladies but for a while, it works extremely well.

Annie doesn’t quite make the top 10 but Hollywood’s run of form continues. Look out for cameos from a young Jeff Goldblum and Truman Capote.  

Rating: 9/10

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. Casablanca (1943)

3. The Apartment (1960)

4. Rebecca (1940)

5. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

6. The Sound of Music (1965)

7. A Man for All Seasons (1966)

8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

9. Ben-Hur (1959)

10. Lost Weekend (1945)

11. Rocky (1976)

12. Annie Hall (1977)

13. All About Eve (1950)

14. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

15. Hamlet (1948)

16. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

17. Gone With the Wind (1939)

18. West Side Story (1961)

19. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

20. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

21. Wings (1928)

22. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

23. You can’t take it with you (1938)

24. Patton (1970)

25. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

26. On the Waterfront (1954)

27. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

28. Midnight Cowboy (1969)

29. Marty (1955)

30. Oliver! (1968)

31. Cimarron (1931)

32. Grand Hotel (1932)

33. The French Connection (1971)

34. An American in Paris (1951)

35. From Here to Eternity (1953)

36. It Happened One Night (1934)

37. My Fair Lady (1964)

38. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

39. Cavalcade (1933)

40. The Sting (1973)

41. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

42. Going My Way (1944)

43. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

44. All the King’s Men (1949)

45. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

46. Gigi (1958)

47. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

48. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

49. The Broadway Melody (1929)

50. Tom Jones (1963)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield

Dr Caspar Briault

Dr Conrad Charlton

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Josh Fisher

Mr Vivian Gallaher

Mrs Clare Gallaher

Dr Joseph Hamilton

Dr Adam Holland

Dr Sid Mohan

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia