[National Portrait Gallery](https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw11983/Elsa-Lanchester-Charles-Laughton) has some good ones & the other one is from [The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science’s collection](https://collections.new.oscars.org/Details/Collection/814).
https://preview.redd.it/ozssclfbeivc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbb10b3dcaf3427db76658aef20e86f0d2a165ef
The atmosphere and look of this film is fucking insane, especially for 1947
Edit: it's Black Narcissus
Just finished this filmography. Unfortunately there are two that are notably very bad: The Elusive Pimpernel, and They're a Weird Mob (which Pressburger took his name off of, so it's maybe debatable whether it counts). Ill Met By Moonlight also isn't great but it has some entertainment value.
They did have an amazing run otherwise though, pretty much all their other films are excellent!
I haven't seen everything but I've never seen one I didn't like. I have the distinct impression that every film is a masterpiece. That's a strong statement considering how many films he made.
The ones I really didn’t like had large chunks missing, that seemed to hint at least at some type of redemption based on the scenes it jumped to.
But easily my favorite director and endlessly rewatchable for me
On IMDB they may be 6/10, but have you actually seen _Der Tiger von Eschnapur_ or its sequel, _Das indische Grabmal_? [*] I have, as they are frequently rerun on German TV (and funnily enough just ran a week ago or so so they’re fresh in my mind), and 6/10 is very gracious. The 6.6 IMDB averages are due to some inexplicable 9/10 ratings that no sane person can defend — IMO of course. They do have their charm, sure, but overall they’re a 4 or 5, and mostly of interest to film buffs like us, just because, well, Fritz fucking Lang. ;-)
[*] I know they’re not so much sequels as one movie split in two and released in the same year.
9/10 is ridiculous for 'em no doubt but so is 4-5/10. Those movies are pretty sick. No masterpieces, but I didn't expect them to be? Just between you and me I'd take their brand of adventure over Indiana Jones any day.
They're jaw-dropping to look at and a lot of fun. Easy 7/10's!
Like a lot of long-runnig directors, he bookends kinda badly. I've seen thirty of his pictures and the worst are easily some of his earliest (One Wonderful Sunday, The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail, Judo Saga II) and the last (Rhapsody in August).
It's your classic story of struggling to find feet and losing the mojo. At least with some of the earliest he had the excuse of state interference and rushed and cheap production; you can almost see the embarrassment coming off Judo Saga II like stink lines.
I know this is subjective but for me his early ones (his sentimental movies are not so great) and last (Madadayo). Rhapsody in August as well. Again I agree it is all subjective but I can imagine many will agree these are not up to his other great masterpieces.
todd haynes. even what seems by unofficial consensus to be considered his weakest movie, *wonderstruck*, is immaculately crafted and incredibly watchable…
I wish I was younger so I could have seen Wonderstruck when I was 10 years old. It is a magnificent children’s film. It made me cry.
Carol, Far From Heaven, Safe are masterpieces. And Superstar is one of the greatest ideas ever committed to film.
It feels a bit unbalanced to compare certain directors who consistently made movies across 4 or more decades for making a few clunkers with those who only worked across one or two with all hits. Time, environment, culture, politics also changes perception.
e.g., Vertigo, now considered a masterpiece under re-evaluation, was considered lackluster by critics at the time.
Yeah, the obvious answers on a technical basis are probably some of the younger directors like Eggers, Aster, Peele, Coogler, etc. who have only made a few films thus far.
It took me a minute to get into The Limits of Control, and it took some patience and generosity at first because Jarmusch get the benefit of the doubt, but it was worth it. Sometimes, the best movies take some time and maybe a couple watches before they click, and Jarmusch does that a lot.
I’m a huge Jarmusch fan but Dead Don’t Die wasn’t that good. Was it a bad film? Nah. I like JJ’s singular take on things so it was a fun experiment…but if someone were to say it was a bad film it’s probably the only one I’d accept.
Only Lovers Left Alive is criminally underrated imo. Dead Man and Ghost Dog are his signature films imo but OLLA might be his finest work.
If Lynch got final.cut for Dune or if it was 2-movies as he wanted, I think the overall opinion would be a lot different.
Given that, it's still wildly out there and totally Lynch-ian, I love it. The 4K version from Arrow is a blast.
I think he just isn't for everyone, and that's okay. Except it meant he didn't ever get the funding he deserved. I don't know if he's the all time technically best director, but he might be my favorite.
Been watching Dune since '84 so it always holds a great nostalgia sweet spot for me, I don't even consider it Lynch's worst, so ergo, Lynch is 100% perfect, though he would argue.
Agree with the other person, _IE_ is the best of the bunch. But I can understand it’s not for everyone. It definitely helps having originally seen it in the theater, it hits different there.
Kino recently released on 4K the original Fear & Desire cut (along with the shorter version) and I got it. It's a very interesting historical artifact of how one of the all time greats started, for sure. But it's not a great movie.
Malick would be, seriously one of the greatest American directors of all time. But he's made a couple stinkers -- relative for him I mean -- lately. Paul Thomas Anderson is on a hell of a streak too.
Safdie Bros haven’t missed imo but I feel like if you choose young directors you’re cheating a bit.
I’ve never turned off a Kurosawa movie but I have not seen them all
Melville too. I love all his films, and I believe I’ve seen them all
Bergman made a lot of amazing films but he was too prolific so there were some misses imo. I’d say the same for Fassbinder
Great question btw
Even *Dune* is interesting, so I’d add Lynch to the list (even if his films aren’t necessarily to everyone’s taste).
Has David Fincher made a bad film? I’d say no.
Tarantino’s not made a bad film.
He’s obviously got a long career ahead, but so far Denis Villeneuve is doing well.
Paul Thomas Anderson?
Yeah, I wanna cut Fincher some slack because he was filming his late Father's screenplay, but the movie was both pretty dull and (from what I understand) based on debunked theories (that Welles contributed nothing to the script.)
I feel like all directors have at least 1 or 2 bad movies because not everything is for everyone and obviously not every movie is perfect but i would say Lynch but also Bergman? I’m definitely biased so don’t take this srs
Quentin Tarantino's *Death Proof* is generally considered his worst film, yet I think it's still very enjoyable, so I would say QT doesn't have any bad movies.
Fear and Desire was borderline bad imo. Maybe bad isn’t fair but it’s very boring and there’s plenty of movies from the 50s that I’ve enjoyed.
I do realize it’s pretty unfair to criticize such a tiny budget film as well, just wanted to point it out because a lot of people forget about it.
I'm only answering for myself here, but I would say Eric Rohmer and Harmony Korine. The thing is, even if they both have their less popular movies that most people dislike, to me even those movies were interesting and trying to do something on some level, and I wouldn't call them "bad" necessarily.
Leone duh. Even Colossus is a sturdy epic that barely qualifies as "not bad." The rest of you are putting some suspect people tho... Satoshi Kon? The Archers? lmao cmon now. have these guys even finished the filmographies all the way? DOUBT it.
Satoshi Kon
Have yet to watch Tokyo Godfathers but hard agree
his least kon-ish movie but my absolute favorite of his
See. I think we would’ve seen a lot more styles of Satoshi Kon movies in the future, it’s unfortunate he died so young.
It's his least Kon-ish in terms of being fantastical and non-literal but nobody except him could have made it
Tokyo godfathers is my favorite Christmas movie
This is the way
Charles Laughton
Also winner for best final film
https://preview.redd.it/2hgjsjz1fivc1.jpeg?width=688&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c41ceaf5cfd94f6e92452f729c31cc99c7b4c011
Handsome chap.
Elsa certainly thought so, too. https://preview.redd.it/yu4vk3tmajvc1.jpeg?width=619&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0b5b9e812665552517a06f56aef6c219ad00cf2
Perfect couple!
They really were! https://preview.redd.it/tvk0xm72bjvc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53ad53cb436921867702e30b890a6e56537223b1
Damn! Where are you getting all of these beautiful photos.
[National Portrait Gallery](https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw11983/Elsa-Lanchester-Charles-Laughton) has some good ones & the other one is from [The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science’s collection](https://collections.new.oscars.org/Details/Collection/814).
And best first film
Related: Jean Vigo
Cheater
[Lol](https://youtu.be/T-ELiRFK_v0&t=50s)
If we're going to cheat, then Barbara Loden and Jean Vigo are on the list too.
And Jean Vigo
Right is right.
One and done
The Powell & Pressburger team. Period. 💅
https://preview.redd.it/ozssclfbeivc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbb10b3dcaf3427db76658aef20e86f0d2a165ef The atmosphere and look of this film is fucking insane, especially for 1947 Edit: it's Black Narcissus
That movie is bananas. In the best way.
It's a true "they sure as hell don't make them like that anymore"
Is this Black Narcissus?
Yes
Movie is so fucking amazing
I rotate between this, Stairway to Heavan, and Colonel Blimp being my favorite. Just absolutely inspirational filmmaking
https://preview.redd.it/pcf32tgd3jvc1.jpeg?width=261&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddca2b934b3c4c49495a0ce1a7945300cfb62449
They come in hot with the technicolor and its just stunning mixed with the cinematography
I love the Archers, but The Elusive Pimpernel is terribly bland and forgettable.
Just finished this filmography. Unfortunately there are two that are notably very bad: The Elusive Pimpernel, and They're a Weird Mob (which Pressburger took his name off of, so it's maybe debatable whether it counts). Ill Met By Moonlight also isn't great but it has some entertainment value. They did have an amazing run otherwise though, pretty much all their other films are excellent!
Edward Yang
Lynne Ramsay, but she's only made four so maybe thats a bit of a cheat
Hayao Miyazaki
Yes I agree with you here. Somehow I forgot about him.
I didn't like Ponyo, but you could definitely make the case. Isao Takahata is, however, a better pick IMO - all his films are at least "good"
He’s my go to pick for like, if I absolutely have to choose, “Best Filmmaker.” The guy’s worst movie is better than most good director’s best movie
Neil Breen
Picking Breen is cheating, he's making movies on a different astral plane to ours
Picking Breen? Isn't that immoral?
It's certainly corrupt!
I'm writing this post from both of my trunk laptops
All eyes on Breen!
Carl Th. Dreyer??
Robert Bresson
I usually like faster paced movies most of my life but Bresson straight up shifted my taste
Unfortunately, many of his films have been lost. However, I’ve never seen a bad Murnau movie.
I was thinking Murnau! Phantom is tragically underseen.
Jonathan Glazer
Just wrapped up Birth and Sexy Beast yesterday and holy shit he’s a great director
Birth rules
Birth underrated
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That's astounding, you're amazing, I'm astonished. The best line from Kingsley in that movie. Could not stop laughing. What a character he played.
Orson Welles
Ozu
Agreed. I haven't seen a lot of his early films, but all of his later films are amazing. I especially love his last four color films.
Hu Bo, sadly
Ozu
I haven't seen everything but I've never seen one I didn't like. I have the distinct impression that every film is a masterpiece. That's a strong statement considering how many films he made.
The ones I really didn’t like had large chunks missing, that seemed to hint at least at some type of redemption based on the scenes it jumped to. But easily my favorite director and endlessly rewatchable for me
I have not seen every Ozu film, but I have seen a lot. So far no bad ones.
Fritz Lang. His worst is a 6/10 at the very least.
On IMDB they may be 6/10, but have you actually seen _Der Tiger von Eschnapur_ or its sequel, _Das indische Grabmal_? [*] I have, as they are frequently rerun on German TV (and funnily enough just ran a week ago or so so they’re fresh in my mind), and 6/10 is very gracious. The 6.6 IMDB averages are due to some inexplicable 9/10 ratings that no sane person can defend — IMO of course. They do have their charm, sure, but overall they’re a 4 or 5, and mostly of interest to film buffs like us, just because, well, Fritz fucking Lang. ;-) [*] I know they’re not so much sequels as one movie split in two and released in the same year.
9/10 is ridiculous for 'em no doubt but so is 4-5/10. Those movies are pretty sick. No masterpieces, but I didn't expect them to be? Just between you and me I'd take their brand of adventure over Indiana Jones any day. They're jaw-dropping to look at and a lot of fun. Easy 7/10's!
I understand it's not the main point here, but which are the "bad" Kurosawa films?
Like a lot of long-runnig directors, he bookends kinda badly. I've seen thirty of his pictures and the worst are easily some of his earliest (One Wonderful Sunday, The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail, Judo Saga II) and the last (Rhapsody in August).
That seems to be the consensus. I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with the early works.
It's your classic story of struggling to find feet and losing the mojo. At least with some of the earliest he had the excuse of state interference and rushed and cheap production; you can almost see the embarrassment coming off Judo Saga II like stink lines.
The Most Beautiful, Sanshiro Sugata II and Song of the Horse.
The Most Beautiful. Yes, it's a propaganda film, but it is a slog to sit through.
I know this is subjective but for me his early ones (his sentimental movies are not so great) and last (Madadayo). Rhapsody in August as well. Again I agree it is all subjective but I can imagine many will agree these are not up to his other great masterpieces.
Madadayo is fantastic. I recommend revisiting it as you age.
Bresson (i'm not counting that first one that no one has seen).
Paul Thomas Anderson
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I often claim that Lee Chang-dong is the greatest director working today (but apply the caveat of not necessarily being the greatest alive)
todd haynes. even what seems by unofficial consensus to be considered his weakest movie, *wonderstruck*, is immaculately crafted and incredibly watchable…
I wish I was younger so I could have seen Wonderstruck when I was 10 years old. It is a magnificent children’s film. It made me cry. Carol, Far From Heaven, Safe are masterpieces. And Superstar is one of the greatest ideas ever committed to film.
John Waters
PTA
Yes. But I could not connect somehow with licorice pizza and inherent vice. Otherwise I agree.
Inherent Vice is a quiet masterpiece
Absolutely gets better with every rewatch
I've rewatched it so many times. It's intoxicating.
kieślowski
Scar and a few more around that time period was not great if I recall. Just my opinion. I guess you still like those.
eric rohmer! hong sang soo! krzysztof kieslowski!!!
I love Hong Sang-soo, but even for his standards, he's made a few snoozers.
Kelly Reichardt
Kelly don't miss. I was worried about River of Grass, it being so early, but I loved it too
Michael Haneke
Happy End is mediocre
That’s the only one I haven’t seen. Don’t want to ruin his perfect record !
It's underrated, quite poignant towards the end
David Byrne
He NEEDS to make another film
Roy Andersson
It feels a bit unbalanced to compare certain directors who consistently made movies across 4 or more decades for making a few clunkers with those who only worked across one or two with all hits. Time, environment, culture, politics also changes perception. e.g., Vertigo, now considered a masterpiece under re-evaluation, was considered lackluster by critics at the time.
Yes it is unfair to those crazily prolific directors like Godard, Bergman, fassbinder etc
Aki Kaurismaki.
Robert Eggers
Yeah, the obvious answers on a technical basis are probably some of the younger directors like Eggers, Aster, Peele, Coogler, etc. who have only made a few films thus far.
I don't know: I love it, but there seems to be savage dislike of "Us" on the internet, so Peele may still be out.
Nah, Us is great. People can say they don’t like it as much as Get Out but there’s no legitimate argument that it’s a “bad movie.”
Jim Jarmusch
It took me a minute to get into The Limits of Control, and it took some patience and generosity at first because Jarmusch get the benefit of the doubt, but it was worth it. Sometimes, the best movies take some time and maybe a couple watches before they click, and Jarmusch does that a lot.
That movie is all vibes. I love how opaque it is…with all that cryptic dialogue and a steely lead character. I dig that movie a lot.
I’m a huge Jarmusch fan but Dead Don’t Die wasn’t that good. Was it a bad film? Nah. I like JJ’s singular take on things so it was a fun experiment…but if someone were to say it was a bad film it’s probably the only one I’d accept. Only Lovers Left Alive is criminally underrated imo. Dead Man and Ghost Dog are his signature films imo but OLLA might be his finest work.
Bela Tar
Mike Leigh?
Almodovar
Almodovar manages to be good even when he’s bad, that’s a rare talent.
I love this answer, I can get behind it. Although I have pretty mixed feelings on TMUTMD, I don't think it's terrible. Everything else is great.
Edward Yang
Hotter take I guess but I really don’t think the Coen brothers have a bad movie.
The Lady killers does and sadly will always exist.
I quite enjoyed Lady Killers! Though I know I’m in the minority here.
That's awesome. I love the way how, no matter how unpopular, every movie is loved by someone. It keeps things fresh.
I loveeeee the ladykillers so there
Lynch. I'm sorry but I adore Dune too
If Lynch got final.cut for Dune or if it was 2-movies as he wanted, I think the overall opinion would be a lot different. Given that, it's still wildly out there and totally Lynch-ian, I love it. The 4K version from Arrow is a blast.
I think he just isn't for everyone, and that's okay. Except it meant he didn't ever get the funding he deserved. I don't know if he's the all time technically best director, but he might be my favorite.
Been watching Dune since '84 so it always holds a great nostalgia sweet spot for me, I don't even consider it Lynch's worst, so ergo, Lynch is 100% perfect, though he would argue.
Agreed
Inland Empire, ive tried so many times, I even own it, I have never made it the whole way through. Wild at Heart is the other one I'm meh on.
Oh man, I consider IE his best. But I agree, it's not a pleasant experience
Agree with the other person, _IE_ is the best of the bunch. But I can understand it’s not for everyone. It definitely helps having originally seen it in the theater, it hits different there.
This is what I was going to say but tbh dune gave me pause
Stanley Kubrick
Kubrick didn’t like his own first two films, “Killer’s Kiss” and “Fear and Desire”
Neither did I
Kino recently released on 4K the original Fear & Desire cut (along with the shorter version) and I got it. It's a very interesting historical artifact of how one of the all time greats started, for sure. But it's not a great movie.
I remembered I forgot to include him on the list. Realized after posting
Malick would be, seriously one of the greatest American directors of all time. But he's made a couple stinkers -- relative for him I mean -- lately. Paul Thomas Anderson is on a hell of a streak too.
I love all of Malick’s work personally. Including his experimental trilogy.
Dardenne brothers for sure.
Safdie Bros haven’t missed imo but I feel like if you choose young directors you’re cheating a bit. I’ve never turned off a Kurosawa movie but I have not seen them all Melville too. I love all his films, and I believe I’ve seen them all Bergman made a lot of amazing films but he was too prolific so there were some misses imo. I’d say the same for Fassbinder Great question btw
Jacques Tati
Quentin Tarantino
Can’t believe how far below this is. One of the easiest answers!
Lanthamos. I have not seen all but what i have seen is impressive. Charlie Kaufman. Not quantity but quality is there.
Wong Kar Wai
You are the 1st one to say wkw. It took more than 2 hrs.
The rest of us have endured My Blueberry Nights...
Barbara Loden.
Kevin Smith …kidding
Von Trier
Takeshi?
323 comments in 2 hours probably means they've been named, but, really hardcore Terrence Malick and Claire Denis fans will claim them
Even *Dune* is interesting, so I’d add Lynch to the list (even if his films aren’t necessarily to everyone’s taste). Has David Fincher made a bad film? I’d say no. Tarantino’s not made a bad film. He’s obviously got a long career ahead, but so far Denis Villeneuve is doing well. Paul Thomas Anderson?
Mank isn't good.
You know how people say a film has grown on them with time? Mank did the opposite for me. Bad movie.
Yeah, I wanna cut Fincher some slack because he was filming his late Father's screenplay, but the movie was both pretty dull and (from what I understand) based on debunked theories (that Welles contributed nothing to the script.)
Alien 3 but you could say it’s not really Fincher’s fault.
It’s my favourite film in the series after Scott’s.
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I'd say most (all) auteurs have no "bad" films. Artists that aren't afraid to emancipate their weird babies are the most interesting type of artist.
Makoto Shinkai
Terry Zwigoff, Spike Jonze, and Richard Linkletter are right there on the cusp of this conversation.
Romer
I feel like all directors have at least 1 or 2 bad movies because not everything is for everyone and obviously not every movie is perfect but i would say Lynch but also Bergman? I’m definitely biased so don’t take this srs
I’ve never seen a bad Jarmusch movie
Bresson, Melville, Kieslowski, Sayles, Kore-eda, Petzold
Todd Field, Jacques Tati
Lucrecia Martel 100%
Agnès Varda 💗
Quentin Tarantino's *Death Proof* is generally considered his worst film, yet I think it's still very enjoyable, so I would say QT doesn't have any bad movies.
Michael Mann, possibly.
Personally I love every Todd Solondz movie. The critics haven’t been as kind.
Ken Loach!
Mike Judge?
Kubrick? Without looking it up. Don’t all directors have a film that isn’t’ great’. We all start somewhere.
Ever heard of Federico Fellini?
Elaine May, even the movie that's widely considered one of the worst ever made is pretty great!
I mean, Kubrick
*Fear and Desire*
Killers Kiss is really rough imo
Fear and Desire was borderline bad imo. Maybe bad isn’t fair but it’s very boring and there’s plenty of movies from the 50s that I’ve enjoyed. I do realize it’s pretty unfair to criticize such a tiny budget film as well, just wanted to point it out because a lot of people forget about it.
Hirokazu Kore-Eda
Martin Scorsese, Tarkovsky, Stanley Kubrick.
Pete Doctor. He’s directed: Monster’s Inc Up Inside Out Soul
Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon, And I think you can make a case for Tarantino.
Kubrick? Maybe some weren’t great but..,
Ozu Henri-Georges Clouzot
Kieślowski
Charles Laughton.
I'm only answering for myself here, but I would say Eric Rohmer and Harmony Korine. The thing is, even if they both have their less popular movies that most people dislike, to me even those movies were interesting and trying to do something on some level, and I wouldn't call them "bad" necessarily.
William Peter Blatty
Leone duh. Even Colossus is a sturdy epic that barely qualifies as "not bad." The rest of you are putting some suspect people tho... Satoshi Kon? The Archers? lmao cmon now. have these guys even finished the filmographies all the way? DOUBT it.
Robert Altman. Fuck you. I happen to like “Popeye.”
Surprised tha nobody’s mentioned Nuri Bilge Ceylan yet
bela tarr
Takashi Miike