The Top Ten Greatest Directors of All Time

 Hello readers, it's Friday, which means you'll be getting an article from Hayley, wow! Anyway, since this will be my first post, I decided I wanted to talk about something I feel very affectionate for: film directors. Old ones, modern ones, comical ones, violent ones, high-grossing ones, independent ones. Hundreds are absolutely fantastic, although today I would like to give a list of the top 10 greatest of all time. This was possibly one of the hardest things I've had to do, although hopefully I've narrowed it down to both the most commercially successful and revolutionarily successful... 

10. David Lynch 

   What better way to start than with this multi talented artist? David Lynch; a master of surrealism onscreen. With a creative mind like no other, Lynch uses gorgeous imagery and twisted plots to both captivate and disturb. His debut was the magnificent horror surrealist film, 'Eraserhead', a visionary nightmare like no other, which placed him as one of the greats. With others such as the emotive 'Elephant Man', crime mystery 'Blue Velvet', and psychological thriller 'Mulholland Drive', Lynch has a legacy which demands attention forever. 

9. James Cameron

  Cameron has directed many films over the years, most being extremely exciting blockbuster epics.  His films include stunning special effects, filled with adventure and action, and have helped him to win many awards. Although it was initially 'The Terminator' which gained him his success, it's 'Titanic' and 'Avatar' which are his masterpieces. They are the two highest-grossing films of all time, making the perfectionist one of the highest earning and prosperous directors ever. 

8. Joel and Ethan Coen

 The ever witty Coen brothers are the two most original modern day directors. They're known for their black comedy movies, especially their cult classics such as 'The Big Lebowski' and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?' Although, the pair have also made tense westerns, crime dramas and neo-noirs, like 'True Grit' 'No Country For Old Men' and 'Fargo', helping them to be nominated for many awards and be placed in the hearts of thousands of film lovers. 

7. Francis Ford Coppola

  Even if you don't know the name, you will know Coppola's mafia masterpiece, 'The Godfather trilogy', a movie regarded as one of the greatest of all time, which revolutionised the film industry. As well as that, he also directed the war epic, 'Apocalypse Now'; the critically acclaimed and darkly poetic representation of the Vietnam War sealed the director as being one of the best.

  

6. Orson Welles

 Welles is possibly the most interesting, influential and honourable person on this list; he is not just director, but an actor, writer and radio personality. He was only 25 when he directed his first ever movie, the spectacular 'Citizen Kane'. Known universally as the "greatest film of all time", full of beautiful music and cinematography, it completely proves why Welles is one of the most talented people in the film industry. 

5. Quentin Tarantino

  A favourite amongst many. Quentin Tarantino. A modern day genius with witty and stylish films, filled with grueling violence, iconic dialogue, incredible characters, satirical humour and the repetitive use of the 'f-word'. Tarantino started off as an independent and completely fresh moviemaker with his (now highly popular) 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction', and has now ended up as a prosperous and highly regarded superstar, with the likes of 'Django Unchained' and 'Inglourious Basterds'. The man is truly one of the most influential figures in film.

4. Martin Scorsese 

  Marty has always been someone who everyone has looked up to. A frequent collaborator with the great Robert DeNiro in his manic crime dramas, this director is a landmark. He has been nominated for 80 Academy Awards, an unbelievable amount, for films such as 'Goodfellas', 'Raging Bull' and 'Taxi Driver' which each got extremely positive feedback from critics. The director includes symbolic imagery, exceptional plot lines and classic improvisation in his works, especially the famous "You talkin' to me?" It is very hard for this man not to be number one on the list. 

3. Alfred Hitchcock

  

  Hitch was the man who did it all, who inspired possibly ever other director after him. The Master of Suspense has made classic upon classic, studying filming techniques and psychologically examining characters in each piece he's made, and was always known for including astonishing twist endings . His tense thrillers like the infamous 'Psycho', 'Vertigo' and 'The Birds' have helped him earn his popularity, making this cultural icon is one of the most intelligent and creative directors of all time.

2. Steven Spielberg

  The list of classic films this director has worked with is endless. In his 40 year career he has played with war epics, slavery dramas, si-fi... and dinosaurs. It is almost impossible for anyone to have not seen one of his films, whether it be 'E.T. Extra Terrestrial', 'Jaws' or 'Saving Private Ryan'. This director may be the master of creating blockbuster movies, with wonderful plots, characters and special effects, which are always difficult to forget.

1. Stanley Kubrick

  Even though producing this list was very difficult to do, the overall winner was obvious. Stanley Kubrick is a perfectionist with the most mesmerising and unique films, and has studied almost every genre. It is very difficult for someone to be a film lover without appreciating this director's work. From the controversial dystopian 'A Clockwork Orange', psychological horror 'The Shining', and terrifyingly realistic war film 'Full Metal Jacket', Kubrick explores imagery, symbolism and character development in his films like no other. His greatest work, however, is the dazzling '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Made in 1968, this masterpiece was literally before its time. With very little special effects, a mystifying plot line touching on many different themes and never before seen cinematography, the futuristic science fiction, which was deemed impossible to film, has influenced almost every other person in the movie making industry. Every motion picture the artistic intellectual has developed surely makes him the best of the best.