David Lean was celebrated for his grandeur and immersive visual language, yet he never loses sight of his characters and their arcs—something that I love about his films. An editor turned into an Oscar-winning director, Lean is renowned for his precision and innovation. Lean’s visual language exudes clarity and purpose. He links the inner turmoil and aspirations of his characters with their physical surroundings, allowing each shot, even each setup, to both reveal and drive the narrative. He steers clear of melodrama, yet his narratives are full of intensity. In this article, we’re exploring David Lean’s top 5 films that are sure to turn you into a fan, if you aren’t one already. Top 5 David Lean FilmsHere’s our ranked list of his best work: 5. A Passage to India (1984) Adapted from E.M Forster’s namesake novel, A Passage to India follows two Englishwomen, Adela Quested and Ms. Moore, as they visit British India to meet Adela’s fiancé and Mrs. Moore’s son, Ronny Heaslop, a British civil servant in colonial India. Upon their arrival in India, they are deeply disturbed by the discrimination and ill-treatment that the natives are subjected to by the British. To their utter dismay, even Heaslop adheres to prejudices and racism, not wanting to jeopardize his career. During their stay, they befriend a young Indian-Muslim physician, Dr. Aziz, through an acquaintance.The narrative escalates around a day out to the mysterious Marabar caves, an excursion planned by Dr. Aziz in honor of his new friends. But, during...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today