Movies and the American Soul  Image 1 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in "Top Gun." A movie that captured the cocky optimism of the 1980s.  Image 1 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in "Top Gun." A movie that captured the cocky optimism of the 1980s.  Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in "Top Gun." A movie that captured the...cocky optimism of the 1980s.  Image 2 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Patrick Wilson and Kate Winslet in "Little Children." Perversity under the surface of normality.  Image 2 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Patrick Wilson and Kate Winslet in "Little Children." Perversity under the surface of normality.  Patrick Wilson and Kate Winslet in "Little Children." Perversity...under the surface of normality.  Image 3 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Sylvester Stallone is interrogated in a scene from the film 'Rambo: First Blood Part II', 1985. Captured the politics and sensibility of mid-80s America.  Image 3 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Sylvester Stallone is interrogated in a scene from the film 'Rambo: First Blood Part II', 1985. Captured the politics and sensibility of mid-80s America.  Sylvester Stallone is interrogated in a scene from the film 'Rambo:...First Blood Part II', 1985. Captured the politics and sensibility of...mid-80s America.  Image 4 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' directed by Mike Nichols in 1966.  Image 4 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' directed by Mike Nichols in 1966.  Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' directed...by Mike Nichols in 1966.  Image 5 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  In Spike Lee's "25th Hour," Monty Brogan (played by Edward Norton) rounds up his friends for one last outing to a swank nightclub the night before he starts a seven-year prison term for drug crimes. The first great 21st century film about a 21st century subject, it captured the mood in America following 9/11.  Image 5 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  In Spike Lee's "25th Hour," Monty Brogan (played by Edward Norton) rounds up his friends for one last outing to a swank nightclub the night before he starts a seven-year prison term for drug crimes. The first great 21st century film about a 21st century subject, it captured the mood in America following 9/11.  In Spike Lee's "25th Hour," Monty Brogan (played by Edward Norton)...rounds up his friends for one last outing to a swank nightclub the...night before he starts a seven-year prison term for drug crimes. The...first great 21st century film about a 21st century subject, it...captured the mood in America following 9/11.  Image 6 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Gloria Swanson ( 1897 - 1983) whose original name was Gloria Svensson, the leading lady of the silent screen who started her career as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty. Her films "Why Change Your Wife" and "Don't Change Your Husband" were benchmarks in the progress of women.  Image 6 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Gloria Swanson ( 1897 - 1983) whose original name was Gloria Svensson, the leading lady of the silent screen who started her career as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty. Her films "Why Change Your Wife" and "Don't Change Your Husband" were benchmarks in the progress of women.  Gloria Swanson ( 1897 - 1983) whose original name was Gloria Svensson,...the leading lady of the silent screen who started her career as a Mack...Sennett bathing beauty. Her films "Why Change Your Wife" and "Don't...Change Your Husband" were benchmarks in the progress of women.  Image 7 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Robert Redford stands behind microphones in a scene from the film 'The Candidate', 1972. A cynical movie about politics and the media that hasn't aged a day in 40 years.  Image 7 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Robert Redford stands behind microphones in a scene from the film 'The Candidate', 1972. A cynical movie about politics and the media that hasn't aged a day in 40 years.  Robert Redford stands behind microphones in a scene from the film 'The...Candidate', 1972. A cynical movie about politics and the media that...hasn't aged a day in 40 years.  Image 8 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  A poster for D.W. Griffith's 1915 drama 'The Birth of a Nation'. This racist film resulted in a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.  Image 8 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  A poster for D.W. Griffith's 1915 drama 'The Birth of a Nation'. This racist film resulted in a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.  A poster for D.W. Griffith's 1915 drama 'The Birth of a Nation'. This...racist film resulted in a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.  Image 9 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Charles Bronson in "Death Wish," which expressed the fear and paranoia -- and relieved the sense of helplessness -- that pervaded American cities in the 1970s.  Image 9 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Charles Bronson in "Death Wish," which expressed the fear and paranoia -- and relieved the sense of helplessness -- that pervaded American cities in the 1970s.  Charles Bronson in "Death Wish," which expressed the fear and paranoia...-- and relieved the sense of helplessness -- that pervaded American...cities in the 1970s.  Image 10 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Kate Beckinsale and Adam Sandler arrive at the UK Premiere of "Click" at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square on September 27, 2006 in London, England. This is an under-appreciated film that commented on the frantic pace of American life.  Image 10 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Kate Beckinsale and Adam Sandler arrive at the UK Premiere of "Click" at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square on September 27, 2006 in London, England. This is an under-appreciated film that commented on the frantic pace of American life.  Kate Beckinsale and Adam Sandler arrive at the UK Premiere of "Click"...at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square on September 27, 2006 in...London, England. This is an under-appreciated film that commented on...the frantic pace of American life.  Image 11 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Theda Bara, in "A Fool There Was," introduced dangerous sexuality to the American screen in 1915.  Image 11 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Theda Bara, in "A Fool There Was," introduced dangerous sexuality to the American screen in 1915.  Theda Bara, in "A Fool There Was," introduced dangerous sexuality to...the American screen in 1915.  Image 12 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Actor Al Pacino in a scene from the Paramount Pictures movie 'Serpico' in 1973. A classic real-life story of police corruption.  Image 12 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Actor Al Pacino in a scene from the Paramount Pictures movie 'Serpico' in 1973. A classic real-life story of police corruption.  Actor Al Pacino in a scene from the Paramount Pictures movie 'Serpico'...in 1973. A classic real-life story of police corruption.  Image 13 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "About Schmidt," Alexander Payne's pessimistic take on what happens when you play by the rules.  Image 13 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "About Schmidt," Alexander Payne's pessimistic take on what happens when you play by the rules.  "About Schmidt," Alexander Payne's pessimistic take on what happens...when you play by the rules.  Image 14 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "All the President's Men" (1976) -- a great journalism tale about how two reporters brought down a corrupt administration.  Image 14 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "All the President's Men" (1976) -- a great journalism tale about how two reporters brought down a corrupt administration.  "All the President's Men" (1976) -- a great journalism tale about how...two reporters brought down a corrupt administration.  Image 15 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Annie Hall" -- the ultimate American film about relationships in the 1970s.  Image 15 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Annie Hall" -- the ultimate American film about relationships in the 1970s.  "Annie Hall" -- the ultimate American film about relationships in the...1970s.  Image 16 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Before Sunrise" -- took the temperature of its moment, with a story both timeless and specific to its era. If only they had email in those days!  Image 16 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Before Sunrise" -- took the temperature of its moment, with a story both timeless and specific to its era. If only they had email in those days!  "Before Sunrise" -- took the temperature of its moment, with a story...both timeless and specific to its era. If only they had email in...those days!  Image 17 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  George Clooney in "Michael Clayton," a movie about losing one's way in corporate America.  Image 17 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  George Clooney in "Michael Clayton," a movie about losing one's way in corporate America.  George Clooney in "Michael Clayton," a movie about losing one's way in...corporate America.  Image 18 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Actor and director Spike Lee poses for a portrait for "Do the Right Thing"' in circa 1989, which took the temperature of race in America for its era.  Image 18 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Actor and director Spike Lee poses for a portrait for "Do the Right Thing"' in circa 1989, which took the temperature of race in America for its era.  Actor and director Spike Lee poses for a portrait for "Do the Right...Thing"' in circa 1989, which took the temperature of race in America...for its era.  Image 19 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  American actor Al Pacino as Sonny Wortzik in 'Dog Day Afternoon,' a wild only-in-America story, which captured the chaos of New York City in the despairing mid-1970s.  Image 19 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  American actor Al Pacino as Sonny Wortzik in 'Dog Day Afternoon,' a wild only-in-America story, which captured the chaos of New York City in the despairing mid-1970s.  American actor Al Pacino as Sonny Wortzik in 'Dog Day Afternoon,' a...wild only-in-America story, which captured the chaos of New York City...in the despairing mid-1970s.  Image 20 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Peter Sellers as President Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove," a sane film that expressed the insanity of nuclear war.  Image 20 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Peter Sellers as President Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove," a sane film that expressed the insanity of nuclear war.  Peter Sellers as President Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove," a sane...film that expressed the insanity of nuclear war.  Image 21 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Faye Dunaway in "Bonnie and Clyde." Ostensibly about the 1930s, the film really embodied the emerging rebelliousness and distrust of authority of the late 1960s.  Image 21 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Faye Dunaway in "Bonnie and Clyde." Ostensibly about the 1930s, the film really embodied the emerging rebelliousness and distrust of authority of the late 1960s.  Faye Dunaway in "Bonnie and Clyde." Ostensibly about the 1930s, the...film really embodied the emerging rebelliousness and distrust of...authority of the late 1960s.  Image 22 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "The Graduate," another variation of a common American theme, which says that the things most people are pursuing are not making them happy.  Image 22 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "The Graduate," another variation of a common American theme, which says that the things most people are pursuing are not making them happy.  "The Graduate," another variation of a common American theme, which...says that the things most people are pursuing are not making them...happy.  Image 23 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Holly Hunter attends the "Broadcast News" New York City Premiere on December 13, 1987 at the Coronet Theatre in New York City. The film was about the nature of TV journalism.  Image 23 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Holly Hunter attends the "Broadcast News" New York City Premiere on December 13, 1987 at the Coronet Theatre in New York City. The film was about the nature of TV journalism.  Holly Hunter attends the "Broadcast News" New York City Premiere on...December 13, 1987 at the Coronet Theatre in New York City. The film...was about the nature of TV journalism.  Image 24 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger in "Jerry Maguire," which expressed much of the assumptions and aspirations of the mid-1990s.  Image 24 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger in "Jerry Maguire," which expressed much of the assumptions and aspirations of the mid-1990s.  Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger in "Jerry Maguire," which expressed...much of the assumptions and aspirations of the mid-1990s.  Image 25 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  BAD LIEUTENANT (1992) dealt with the spiritual dimension at work in urban life.  Image 25 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  BAD LIEUTENANT (1992) dealt with the spiritual dimension at work in urban life.  BAD LIEUTENANT (1992) dealt with the spiritual dimension at work in...urban life.  Image 26 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Adrienne Shelly's "Waitress," about the aspirations and difficulties of small-town life.  Image 26 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Adrienne Shelly's "Waitress," about the aspirations and difficulties of small-town life.  Adrienne Shelly's "Waitress," about the aspirations and difficulties...of small-town life.  Image 27 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry," a classic American con man -- the kind that believes his own con.  Image 27 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry," a classic American con man -- the kind that believes his own con.  Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry," a classic American con man -- the...kind that believes his own con.  Image 28 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Manhattan" -- Woody Allen's film depicted the morals, mores and practices of New York in the late 1970s.  Image 28 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Manhattan" -- Woody Allen's film depicted the morals, mores and practices of New York in the late 1970s.  "Manhattan" -- Woody Allen's film depicted the morals, mores and...practices of New York in the late 1970s.  Image 29 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Kirk Douglas (on the left) and Robert Mitchum in a scene of the noir movie 'Out of the Past', directed by Jacques Tourneur. A great noir film that depicted post-war spiritual dislocation.  Image 29 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Kirk Douglas (on the left) and Robert Mitchum in a scene of the noir movie 'Out of the Past', directed by Jacques Tourneur. A great noir film that depicted post-war spiritual dislocation.  Kirk Douglas (on the left) and Robert Mitchum in a scene of the noir...movie 'Out of the Past', directed by Jacques Tourneur. A great noir...film that depicted post-war spiritual dislocation.  Image 30 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "The New World," Terrence Malick's masterpiece about the foundations of the American consciousness.  Image 30 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "The New World," Terrence Malick's masterpiece about the foundations of the American consciousness.  "The New World," Terrence Malick's masterpiece about the foundations...of the American consciousness.  Image 31 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Reds" -- American idealism imported to Russia.  Image 31 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Reds" -- American idealism imported to Russia.  "Reds" -- American idealism imported to Russia.  Image 32 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Steven Soderbergh won the Golden Palm for "sex, lies and videotape," which took the temperature of the times with regard to relationships in the 1980s.  Image 32 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Steven Soderbergh won the Golden Palm for "sex, lies and videotape," which took the temperature of the times with regard to relationships in the 1980s.  Steven Soderbergh won the Golden Palm for "sex, lies and videotape," ...which took the temperature of the times with regard to relationships...in the 1980s.  Image 33 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "The Divorcee," the groundbreaking and influential film that showed how a woman's sexual appetite could be as strong as a man's -- and, most importantly, saw nothing wrong with that.  Image 33 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "The Divorcee," the groundbreaking and influential film that showed how a woman's sexual appetite could be as strong as a man's -- and, most importantly, saw nothing wrong with that.  "The Divorcee," the groundbreaking and influential film that showed...how a woman's sexual appetite could be as strong as a man's -- and,...most importantly, saw nothing wrong with that.  Image 34 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Jill Clayburgh and Michael Murphy in "An Unmarried Woman," the first movie in about 45 years in which a woman chose not to take back her cheating husband. An important cultural landmark.  Image 34 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Jill Clayburgh and Michael Murphy in "An Unmarried Woman," the first movie in about 45 years in which a woman chose not to take back her cheating husband. An important cultural landmark.  Jill Clayburgh and Michael Murphy in "An Unmarried Woman," the first...movie in about 45 years in which a woman chose not to take back her...cheating husband. An important cultural landmark.  Image 35 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Up in the Air" is beginning to look like one of the most important films oft he Great Recession.  Image 35 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Up in the Air" is beginning to look like one of the most important films oft he Great Recession.  "Up in the Air" is beginning to look like one of the most important...films oft he Great Recession.  Image 36 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Anne Baxter, left, and Bette Davis in the 1950 film, "All About Eve," depicted the artistic elite in mid-century New York.  Image 36 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Anne Baxter, left, and Bette Davis in the 1950 film, "All About Eve," depicted the artistic elite in mid-century New York.  Anne Baxter, left, and Bette Davis in the 1950 film, "All About Eve,"...depicted the artistic elite in mid-century New York.  Image 37 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Eli Roth and Brad Pitt in "Inglourious Basterds," one of the great films of the 21st century.  Image 37 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Eli Roth and Brad Pitt in "Inglourious Basterds," one of the great films of the 21st century.  Eli Roth and Brad Pitt in "Inglourious Basterds," one of the great...films of the 21st century.  Image 38 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Actor Dana Andrews (1909 - 1992) speaks to Virginia Mayo in a still from the film, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' directed by William Wyler, 1946. This was the mood of mainstream America in the aftermath of World War II.  Image 38 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Actor Dana Andrews (1909 - 1992) speaks to Virginia Mayo in a still from the film, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' directed by William Wyler, 1946. This was the mood of mainstream America in the aftermath of World War II.  Actor Dana Andrews (1909 - 1992) speaks to Virginia Mayo in a still...from the film, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' directed by William...Wyler, 1946. This was the mood of mainstream America in the aftermath...of World War II.  Image 39 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Claire Trevor in "Born to Kill," a great noir about the dark side of passion.  Image 39 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Claire Trevor in "Born to Kill," a great noir about the dark side of passion.  Claire Trevor in "Born to Kill," a great noir about the dark side of...passion.  Image 40 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Casablanca" captured the soul of the country in the way it depicted a man's slow and reluctant embrace of concerns bigger than his own. This was the process that America itself had just undergone with regard to involvement in World War II.  Image 40 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Casablanca" captured the soul of the country in the way it depicted a man's slow and reluctant embrace of concerns bigger than his own. This was the process that America itself had just undergone with regard to involvement in World War II.  "Casablanca" captured the soul of the country in the way it depicted a...man's slow and reluctant embrace of concerns bigger than his own. ...This was the process that America itself had just undergone with...regard to involvement in World War II.  Image 41 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Like a lot of period pieces, "Chinatown" said more about the era in which it was made -- the confused and pessimistic 1970s -- than the era it depicted.  Image 41 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Like a lot of period pieces, "Chinatown" said more about the era in which it was made -- the confused and pessimistic 1970s -- than the era it depicted.  Like a lot of period pieces, "Chinatown" said more about the era in...which it was made -- the confused and pessimistic 1970s -- than the...era it depicted.  Image 42 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles' classic about the American dream turned toxic.  Image 42 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles' classic about the American dream turned toxic.  "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles' classic about the American dream turned...toxic.  Image 43 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Paul Newman in a scene from the film 'Cool Hand Luke,' another great marker of youth rebellion in the 1960s.  Image 43 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Paul Newman in a scene from the film 'Cool Hand Luke,' another great marker of youth rebellion in the 1960s.  Paul Newman in a scene from the film 'Cool Hand Luke,' another great...marker of youth rebellion in the 1960s.  Image 44 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow in "Dinner at Eight" (1933), which told the perennial story of financial crises, old businesses failing and new businesses taking their place.  Image 44 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow in "Dinner at Eight" (1933), which told the perennial story of financial crises, old businesses failing and new businesses taking their place.  Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow in "Dinner at Eight" (1933), which told...the perennial story of financial crises, old businesses failing and...new businesses taking their place.  Image 45 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Tough-guy actor George Bancroft (1882-1956) stars in the film 'The Docks Of New York" Josef Von Sternberg's masterpiece about life and love in the lower depths.  Image 45 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Tough-guy actor George Bancroft (1882-1956) stars in the film 'The Docks Of New York" Josef Von Sternberg's masterpiece about life and love in the lower depths.  Tough-guy actor George Bancroft (1882-1956) stars in the film 'The...Docks Of New York" Josef Von Sternberg's masterpiece about life and...love in the lower depths.  Image 46 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  American actors Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda ride through the Desert on motorcycles in a scene from the film 'Easy Rider," not a great film by any stretch, but a cultural marker.  Image 46 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  American actors Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda ride through the Desert on motorcycles in a scene from the film 'Easy Rider," not a great film by any stretch, but a cultural marker.  American actors Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda ride through the Desert...on motorcycles in a scene from the film 'Easy Rider," not a great film...by any stretch, but a cultural marker.  Image 47 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Jennifer Beals in FLASHDANCE, the ultimate expression of youth consciousness and youthful aspiration in the early 1980s.  Image 47 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Jennifer Beals in FLASHDANCE, the ultimate expression of youth consciousness and youthful aspiration in the early 1980s.  Jennifer Beals in FLASHDANCE, the ultimate expression of youth...consciousness and youthful aspiration in the early 1980s.  Image 48 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire perform in the 1936 film "Follow The Fleet," which showed, in the partnership of this duo, the modern model for male-female partnerships.  Image 48 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire perform in the 1936 film "Follow The Fleet," which showed, in the partnership of this duo, the modern model for male-female partnerships.  Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire perform in the 1936 film "Follow The...Fleet," which showed, in the partnership of this duo, the modern model...for male-female partnerships.  Image 49 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  James Caan as Sonny Corleone , Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone and John Cazale as Fredo Corleone in "The Godfather," about love, family and big business.  Image 49 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  James Caan as Sonny Corleone , Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone and John Cazale as Fredo Corleone in "The Godfather," about love, family and big business.  James Caan as Sonny Corleone , Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone and...John Cazale as Fredo Corleone in "The Godfather," about love, family...and big business.  Image 50 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Al Jolson and May McAvoy in "The Jazz Singer" (1927), which showed the clash between tradition and modernity.  Image 50 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Al Jolson and May McAvoy in "The Jazz Singer" (1927), which showed the clash between tradition and modernity.  Al Jolson and May McAvoy in "The Jazz Singer" (1927), which showed the...clash between tradition and modernity.  Image 51 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  American actor Lauren Bacall and her husband, actor Humphrey Bogart ride bicycles while on the set of the film 'Key Largo', Hollywood, California, 1948. A great film about post-war disillusionment and the moral posture required in dealing with it.  Image 51 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  American actor Lauren Bacall and her husband, actor Humphrey Bogart ride bicycles while on the set of the film 'Key Largo', Hollywood, California, 1948. A great film about post-war disillusionment and the moral posture required in dealing with it.  American actor Lauren Bacall and her husband, actor Humphrey Bogart...ride bicycles while on the set of the film 'Key Largo', Hollywood,...California, 1948. A great film about post-war disillusionment and...the moral posture required in dealing with it.  Image 52 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  KISS ME DEADLY, as radical a film about nuclear terror as "Dr. Strangelove" and made 9 years before.  Image 52 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  KISS ME DEADLY, as radical a film about nuclear terror as "Dr. Strangelove" and made 9 years before.  KISS ME DEADLY, as radical a film about nuclear terror as "Dr....Strangelove" and made 9 years before.  Image 53 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  1925: A man looks uncomfortable as he receives a kiss from Norma Shearer in the film 'Lady Of The Night', directed by Monta Bell for Metro-Goldwyn Pictures. One of the great films of the 1920s, which expressed the fear that drives the pursuit of success.  Image 53 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  1925: A man looks uncomfortable as he receives a kiss from Norma Shearer in the film 'Lady Of The Night', directed by Monta Bell for Metro-Goldwyn Pictures. One of the great films of the 1920s, which expressed the fear that drives the pursuit of success.  1925: A man looks uncomfortable as he receives a kiss from Norma...Shearer in the film 'Lady Of The Night', directed by Monta Bell for...Metro-Goldwyn Pictures. One of the great films of the 1920s, which...expressed the fear that drives the pursuit of success.  Image 54 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Edward G Robinson is shot in a scene from the film 'Little Caesar', 1931, a sympathetic portrait that depicted a gangster with a businessman.  Image 54 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Edward G Robinson is shot in a scene from the film 'Little Caesar', 1931, a sympathetic portrait that depicted a gangster with a businessman.  Edward G Robinson is shot in a scene from the film 'Little Caesar',...1931, a sympathetic portrait that depicted a gangster with a...businessman.  Image 55 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  American actor Jane Wyman comforts actor Ray Milland (1907 - 1986) in a still from the film 'The Lost Weekend,' by BIlly Wilder, 1945. Classic about alcoholism.  Image 55 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  American actor Jane Wyman comforts actor Ray Milland (1907 - 1986) in a still from the film 'The Lost Weekend,' by BIlly Wilder, 1945. Classic about alcoholism.  American actor Jane Wyman comforts actor Ray Milland (1907 - 1986) in...a still from the film 'The Lost Weekend,' by BIlly Wilder, 1945. ...Classic about alcoholism.  Image 56 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Van Heflin enjoying a cup of tea while listening to Helen Hayes in a scene from the film 'My Son John', 1952. A crazy, paranoid film about a family that discovers their son is a communist agent.  Image 56 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Van Heflin enjoying a cup of tea while listening to Helen Hayes in a scene from the film 'My Son John', 1952. A crazy, paranoid film about a family that discovers their son is a communist agent.  Van Heflin enjoying a cup of tea while listening to Helen Hayes in a...scene from the film 'My Son John', 1952. A crazy, paranoid film about...a family that discovers their son is a communist agent.  Image 57 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Barbara Harris singing in a scene from the film 'Nashville', 1975. A fascinating Altman film which has the mid-'70s mindset in its DNA.  Image 57 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Barbara Harris singing in a scene from the film 'Nashville', 1975. A fascinating Altman film which has the mid-'70s mindset in its DNA.  Barbara Harris singing in a scene from the film 'Nashville', 1975. A...fascinating Altman film which has the mid-'70s mindset in its DNA.  Image 58 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Brando is seen as Terry Malloy in a scene of the motion picture drama "On The Waterfront," a movie with overtones of the HUAC investigations of the 1950s.  Image 58 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Brando is seen as Terry Malloy in a scene of the motion picture drama "On The Waterfront," a movie with overtones of the HUAC investigations of the 1950s.  Brando is seen as Terry Malloy in a scene of the motion picture drama..."On The Waterfront," a movie with overtones of the HUAC investigations...of the 1950s.  Image 59 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  1931: American actress Joan Crawford (1904 - 1977) puts her fingers to the lips of leading man Clark Gable (1901 - 1960) in a romantic scene from 'Possessed', directed by Clarence Brown. Almost as great a landmark as "The Divorcee," this was about a small-town girl who escapes factory work by becoming the mistress of a rich, crusading politician.  Image 59 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  1931: American actress Joan Crawford (1904 - 1977) puts her fingers to the lips of leading man Clark Gable (1901 - 1960) in a romantic scene from 'Possessed', directed by Clarence Brown. Almost as great a landmark as "The Divorcee," this was about a small-town girl who escapes factory work by becoming the mistress of a rich, crusading politician.  1931: American actress Joan Crawford (1904 - 1977) puts her fingers...to the lips of leading man Clark Gable (1901 - 1960) in a romantic...scene from 'Possessed', directed by Clarence Brown. Almost as great a...landmark as "The Divorcee," this was about a small-town girl who...escapes factory work by becoming the mistress of a rich, crusading...politician.  Image 60 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  The gangster classic, 'Public Enemy," with James Cagney as the all-American psychopath.  Image 60 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  The gangster classic, 'Public Enemy," with James Cagney as the all-American psychopath.  The gangster classic, 'Public Enemy," with James Cagney as the...all-American psychopath.  Image 61 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Actors Uma Thurman (L) and John Travolta are shown in a scene from the film "Pulp Fiction," which received an Oscar nomination for best picture.  Image 61 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Actors Uma Thurman (L) and John Travolta are shown in a scene from the film "Pulp Fiction," which received an Oscar nomination for best picture.  Actors Uma Thurman (L) and John Travolta are shown in a scene from the...film "Pulp Fiction," which received an Oscar nomination for best...picture.  Image 62 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Robert De Niro lands a hard-hitting right hand in a scene from the film 'Raging Bull,' a movie about brutality.  Image 62 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Robert De Niro lands a hard-hitting right hand in a scene from the film 'Raging Bull,' a movie about brutality.  Robert De Niro lands a hard-hitting right hand in a scene from the...film 'Raging Bull,' a movie about brutality.  Image 63 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Saving Private Ryan" was as much about baby boomers contemplating the struggles of their parents as it was about D-Day and its aftermath.  Image 63 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Saving Private Ryan" was as much about baby boomers contemplating the struggles of their parents as it was about D-Day and its aftermath.  "Saving Private Ryan" was as much about baby boomers contemplating the...struggles of their parents as it was about D-Day and its aftermath.  Image 64 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Actor Rock Hudson on set of the Paramount Pictures movie "Seconds" in 1966, a movie about the eternal pursuit of youth.  Image 64 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Actor Rock Hudson on set of the Paramount Pictures movie "Seconds" in 1966, a movie about the eternal pursuit of youth.  Actor Rock Hudson on set of the Paramount Pictures movie "Seconds" in...1966, a movie about the eternal pursuit of youth.  Image 65 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Kirk Douglas in a military uniform speaking with an unknown actor in a scene from the film 'Seven Days In May', 1963, about the threat of a right-wing coup.  Image 65 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Kirk Douglas in a military uniform speaking with an unknown actor in a scene from the film 'Seven Days In May', 1963, about the threat of a right-wing coup.  Kirk Douglas in a military uniform speaking with an unknown actor in a...scene from the film 'Seven Days In May', 1963, about the threat of a...right-wing coup.  Image 66 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Joseph Cotten in "Shadow of a Doubt," Hitchcock's 1943 study of how small-town America has the resources to stamp out menace the way penicillin deals with bacteria.  Image 66 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Joseph Cotten in "Shadow of a Doubt," Hitchcock's 1943 study of how small-town America has the resources to stamp out menace the way penicillin deals with bacteria.  Joseph Cotten in "Shadow of a Doubt," Hitchcock's 1943 study of how...small-town America has the resources to stamp out menace the way...penicillin deals with bacteria.  Image 67 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Joel McCrea chops wood in a scene from the film 'Sullivan's Travels', 1941, Preston Sturges masterpiece about a comic actor who wants to make a meaningful drama.  Image 67 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Joel McCrea chops wood in a scene from the film 'Sullivan's Travels', 1941, Preston Sturges masterpiece about a comic actor who wants to make a meaningful drama.  Joel McCrea chops wood in a scene from the film 'Sullivan's Travels',...1941, Preston Sturges masterpiece about a comic actor who wants to...make a meaningful drama.  Image 68 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Fay Wray is tied to chair in the middle of jubilant crowd the film 'The Wedding March', 1928.  Image 68 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Fay Wray is tied to chair in the middle of jubilant crowd the film 'The Wedding March', 1928.  Fay Wray is tied to chair in the middle of jubilant crowd the film...'The Wedding March', 1928.  Image 69 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  Robert Stack and Carole Lombard in "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), a marker in America's emerging attitude toward World War II -- made before Pearl Harbor and released after it.  Image 69 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  Robert Stack and Carole Lombard in "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), a marker in America's emerging attitude toward World War II -- made before Pearl Harbor and released after it.  Robert Stack and Carole Lombard in "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), a...marker in America's emerging attitude toward World War II -- made...before Pearl Harbor and released after it.  Image 70 of 70 |Movies and the American Soul  "Touch of Evil" expressed the American soul in the sense that it heralded a more cynical attitude about life, evidence here by a tone that goes right to the edge of satire and sometimes beyond. It's cynical even about itself.  Image 70 of 70 - Movies and the American Soul  "Touch of Evil" expressed the American soul in the sense that it heralded a more cynical attitude about life, evidence here by a tone that goes right to the edge of satire and sometimes beyond. It's cynical even about itself.  "Touch of Evil" expressed the American soul in the sense that it...heralded a more cynical attitude about life, evidence here by a tone...that goes right to the edge of satire and sometimes beyond. It's...cynical even about itself.
Today we take a look at movies that express the American soul.  The idea is that there are films that are important or that become important because they express something essential in the American consciousness.  It could be a movie that embodies the soul of its time.  Or it could be a movie