Members of the Watcher’s Council including yours truly have shared who their favorite filmmakers are. As should be a surprise to just about nobody my favorites are all filmmakers whose major output took place between 1930 and 1970: Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, and Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger.
One of the aspects of my favorites that I didn’t mention in my offering to the Council Forum is that the influence of each of those cinema greats resonates right down to the present day. Hitchcock not only perfected the thriller but pretty much invented the modern slasher movie. John Ford invented the modern Western. And Michael Powell gave one of today’s most respected actresses her first major role. That would be Helen Mirren.
Add George Pal to that list and you’ve pretty much got the foundations of modern cinema.
Nary a mention of Jean Cocteau. Pity.
Preston Sturges?
No mention of Michael Bay? Pity.
….I’m kidding of course.
For your consideration: Stanley Donen, Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa.