Top Inspirational Movies? You Decide

In a recent article, Douglas Howe (a blogger on "Idol Chatter") commented on the upcoming Academy Awards.  He state the following:  The Academy Awards honor the Best Producer, the Best Writer, the Best Actors, the Best Director, all the way to the Best Cinematographer. Why not honor the film that has that ability to do what films do best: inspire us to higher ambitions, or deeper convictions, or just a better effort? There are many great films that didn't win awards the year they were released, but have had a lasting impact on their audience, in our culture, and in the world of cinema.  Howe lists the following 14 films as the Most Inspiring films of our times.

I want to see some action from my readers.  Read his list and in the Comments section, list the movies that you feel belong on the list of Most Inspiring films.

Casablanca (1942)

The best kind of inspiring film: it didn't seem like it was trying to be one. That is, until the tragic hero becomes the pathetic anti-hero and then becomes the redemptive hero!

 

 

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Hard to top this classic. I'm glad it only plays around Christmastime—I can't help but get misty at every viewing.

 

 

The Sting (1973)

Okay, to some it's a gentle comedy about con men in a prior time, but to me it was a buddy flick that showed the power of being buddies, loyalty, doing what you're good at, and the stakes of getting caught. It kept me out of a lot of trouble, too!

 

 

 

Day of the Dolphin (1973)

Overlooked by many "Best Of..." lists, this movie about conviction and love—even at a cost—should be must-see for animal lovers and people lovers everywhere.

 

 

 

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Some consider it one of the weakest Best Picture winners ever, but it was inspiring to me because it portrayed men of different faiths who experienced varying levels of conviction and triumph. Plus, it was one of the most intelligent and respectful presentations of faith ever shown on the silver screen.

 

 

 

The Right Stuff (1983)

Didn't you ever wanna grow up to be an astronaut? These guys did, and they made it, and there was a whole lot more to the story than most of us ever knew.

 

 

 

 

Hoosiers (1986)

Reconciliation is inspiring and redemption even more so. This was more than a feel-good flick: it had both.

 

 

 

Working Girl (1988)

Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver were stars at the top of their game, but it was Melanie Griffith's character (Tess) who stole the film and showed a generation of young women they could believe.

 

 

 

Field of Dreams (1989)

The fantasy of a baseball field—and the even greater fantasy of marital partners free to pursue their dreams—never gets old! I still want to travel to Iowa to see the field.

 

 

 

 

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Okay, not really. But Robin Williams's introduction to his class (the Feeding Daffodils scene) is among the finest I've ever seen.

 

 

 

Schindler's List (1993)

Oh, if we could all live with that precious commitment to life. "If I could just save one more..." was a line more powerful than most sermons I've heard, or given.

 

 

 

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

While an older generation was still quoting "Caddyshack" and "Stripes," along came a non-comedic, non-gratuitous film that is still quoted today. This was about everything, including hope—the most dangerous thing!

 

 

 

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Just a wonderful epic; it's beautifully crafted and musically captivating. Gwyneth Paltrow played four parts and we rooted for a historical figure we never knew. I walked out believing the sappiest of messages: that true love can triumph over anything.

 

 

 

 

Gladiator (2000)

A man was honorable and loyal. He turned blind with vengeance and then turned savior and sacrificer for the good of a country, a boy, and a mother. The film's consideration of the afterlife—while not consistent with my personal view—was as inspiring as it was beautiful.