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Great Films Have Narrators.


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Old 31-07-2016, 14:46
dingleboy
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This may have been discussed in the past but there is a popular theory among [ amongst ? ] cineastes that a high proportion of classic films have a narrator.

This is either not true, a mere coincidence or a easy way to explain an overly complex narrative to dim moviegoers.

Still, it has some meriticiousness [ ooooer !! , hark at him ]

Citizen Kane
Apocalypse Now
Double Indemnity
Blade Runner
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Shawshank Redemption

Any more ?
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Old 31-07-2016, 15:01
BadLadAsh
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I'm sure Goodfellas is narrated too?
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Old 31-07-2016, 15:05
dodrade
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This may have been discussed in the past but there is a popular theory among [ amongst ? ] cineastes that a high proportion of classic films have a narrator.

This is either not true, a mere coincidence or a easy way to explain an overly complex narrative to dim moviegoers.

Still, it has some meriticiousness [ ooooer !! , hark at him ]

Citizen Kane
Apocalypse Now
Double Indemnity
Blade Runner
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Shawshank Redemption

Any more ?
Blade Runner only came to be seen as a great film after the release of the director's cut which removed the narration.
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Old 31-07-2016, 15:14
manderley
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Dick Powell in Farewell My Lovely (Murder, My Sweet in the U.S.A.)
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Old 31-07-2016, 15:49
Johnny Clay
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"Oh, it was gorgeosity and yummy yum yum. I was cured."

A Clockwork Orange.
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Old 31-07-2016, 16:25
treefr0g
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The narration is probably the best thing about AI: Artificial Intelligence for me. Ben Kingsley has a beautiful voice.

I also liked the narration in 'The Book Thief'.

I realise that this doesn't answer the OP's question.
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Old 31-07-2016, 16:41
spiney2
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Stand By Me, also a fine movie.
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Old 31-07-2016, 16:44
spiney2
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Famously, Sunset Boulevard has ''from beyond the grave'' narration ........
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Old 31-07-2016, 17:12
dingleboy
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LA Confidential
The Usual Suspects
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Old 31-07-2016, 17:15
Alrightmate
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Fight Club
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Old 31-07-2016, 17:45
katiso41
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I loved the gravelly-voiced narrator of The Last Voyage. He was one of the officers on the ship if I remember correctly A brilliant film that I haven't seen for years
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Old 31-07-2016, 17:47
Pucky
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Playing It Cool is also narrated by the lead character. Also you don't know the name of the lead character, nor his love interest.
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Old 31-07-2016, 18:00
Alrightmate
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Full Metal Jacket.
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Old 31-07-2016, 18:24
BadLadAsh
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Stand By Me, also a fine movie.
Love that film.
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Old 31-07-2016, 18:30
Takae
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Some favourite uses of a voiceover: Fallen, The Naked City, How the West Was Won, Eve's Bayou, Badlands, Drugstore Cowboy and Kind Hearts and Coronets.

---

I'm blanking on the title of this film.

A voiceover drones as the camera zooms slowly towards something and halts when the voiceover suddenly says "Wait a minute! This isn't the story of [???]" The camera shifts to a medium close-up of a young white man in a suit, laughing whilst holding a cigar, as the voiceover says something like "This is the story of [???]".

A 1940s/1950s film. Black and white. A satirical take on something corporate. Something like advertising. Very similar to Giants and Toys (1958). It can be coupled with Sweet Smell of Success in a way. I thought it was a Preston Sturges film until I watched this film again a few years ago, and learnt it wasn't. Anyone?
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Old 31-07-2016, 21:13
Fairyprincess0
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Amelie...... Oh, and carry on cleo.
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Old 31-07-2016, 21:26
Darth_Vader_12
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Citizen Kane
The Shawshank Redemption
Badlands
A Clockwork Orange
Goodfellas
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Old 31-07-2016, 22:09
Eddie Badger
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Last Man Standing
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Old 31-07-2016, 22:19
CBFreak
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The Royal Tennenbaums
Sin City
Raising Arizona
Ferris Buellers Day Off - Although is talking to the camera still narration?
The Shawshank Redemption
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Old 31-07-2016, 22:23
Eddie Badger
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Dances with Wolves
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Old 03-12-2016, 01:34
treefr0g
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The narration is probably the best thing about AI: Artificial Intelligence for me. Ben Kingsley has a beautiful voice.

I also liked the narration in 'The Book Thief'.

I realise that this doesn't answer the OP's question.
Finally I got to put a face to the voice. He was in 'The Missing 2‘.

He really does have a lovely voice.
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Old 03-12-2016, 08:57
Grabid Rannies
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I'm not sure about that, but trailers certainly have a shittily cheesy narrator.
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Old 03-12-2016, 09:59
CLL Dodge
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I'm not sure about that, but trailers certainly have a shittily cheesy narrator.
That late great Don LaFontaine was the trailer king:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjWKE-IJ4R8
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Old 03-12-2016, 12:10
Deb Arkle
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Some favourite uses of a voiceover: Fallen, The Naked City, How the West Was Won, Eve's Bayou, Badlands, Drugstore Cowboy and Kind Hearts and Coronets.

---

I'm blanking on the title of this film.

A voiceover drones as the camera zooms slowly towards something and halts when the voiceover suddenly says "Wait a minute! This isn't the story of [???]" The camera shifts to a medium close-up of a young white man in a suit, laughing whilst holding a cigar, as the voiceover says something like "This is the story of [???]".

A 1940s/1950s film. Black and white. A satirical take on something corporate. Something like advertising. Very similar to Giants and Toys (1958). It can be coupled with Sweet Smell of Success in a way. I thought it was a Preston Sturges film until I watched this film again a few years ago, and learnt it wasn't. Anyone?
The Man in the White Suit?
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Old 04-12-2016, 14:32
eggchen
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I was always under the impression that narration in a movie was always considered to be an artistically lazy way of telling the story?
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