Cult Must-See Trilogies

If you have no idea what to watch and your video store list is rather slim, we suggest supreme trilogies.

Film trilogies are either cult and genius, or so bad that there is no point in writing about them. We can barely count supreme trilogies on the fingers of our hand, while there are plenty of bad films, which turned from trilogies to tetralogies etc. Whatever the case may be, we have singled out those we think you should watch because they are excellent or because they are chapters in the book of general knowledge. Or perhaps both.

The Godfather - Coppola`s masterpiece

First, we present you the “Godfather” trilogy, by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. The godfather, for all of you know do not know, was shot after Mario Puzo`s novel, but the screenplay does not stick to the storyline.

First part, which begins with the legendary sentence “I believe in America”, tells the story of a mafia family, you guessed it, of Sicilian origin.

The starring role, that of the mafia boss who gives orders to his children with a rusty voice, was played by the aged Marlon Brando. The film master turned down to act in the remaining two sequels.

Rather arrogant, incredibly talented and charming Brando decided to leave don Corleone behind, because supposedly, Coppola owed him a large fee and he did not like to repeat his roles.

We remember the first part for its extraordinary script, top photography and Nino Rote`s music, which we still love today, just like the scene in which Vito Corleone dies in his garden, amidst the tomatoes.

The second part is also a masterpiece. Al Pacino heads the mafia this time, who embodies Michael and the story goes back into the past, as Vito Corleone was growing up, who is played by Robert de Niro in the second part.

In 1990, as 18 years have gone by after the first part, the third was shot. Despite the fact that the Corleone family wanted to end the illegal business, other gangsters do not forget their debts…

Associations: C-3PO, R2-D2, jedi, Darth Vader

We single out “Star Wars” as the second most important trilogy. With a total of six parts about the fight between the jedi and the Empire, we prefer the original three parts which can be watched as a whole, as well as separately, just like the next three parts.

George Lucas` saga began in 1977 and its vast popularity has seen no end since.

The first part, “A New Hope”, won six Oscar awards and is the first part, distribution-wise. In the great scheme of things, it is actually the fourth part out of six parts of the film fairy-tales.

We meet the endearing and legendary droids C-3PO and R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and his nemesis Darth Vader.

Later on, it was revealed that a film by famous Akira Kurosawa  inspired Star Wars.

The second part was released in theatres in 1980, while chronologically, it was the fifth, called “The Empire Strikes Back”. It deals with the departure of Republican Princes Leia to the icy planet, as she is forced into exile due to the pressured of the Galactic Empire. Only three years later, “The Return Of The Jedi” was released.

In this final, third sequel, positive hero Luke Skywalker learns that his father is actually Darth Vader, the root of all evil, and he starts a showdown with him. Lucas revealed that he was inspired by “Beowulf”, “Flash Gordon” and supposedly, when he had the time, he read J.R.R. Tolkien`s books.

Mighty ring as the child of mythological stories

Speaking of Tolkien, this British academician and “Lord Of The Rings” creator, mostly wrote during World War II. We believe everything has already been said about the trilogy based on his books “The Fellowship Of The Ring”, “The Two Towers” and “The Return Of The King”.

The films have left no man indifferent, surely.

The first part, “Fellowship Of The Ring”, reveals the famous ring which the entire storyline is based on. This symbol of power lures everyone near it, but most of all, it is coveted by Sauron and its Ring Wraiths.

The second part continues the campaign of hobbit Frodo Baggins, the ring master, and his friends to Mordor, after which the bunch gets in trouble with some orcs and other creatures.

“The Return Of The King” is not abundant with dynamic events, but the story ends only after the ring is destroyed, which happened on March 25, 3019 of the third age. Many characters feature in the trilogy. We mostly remember Gandalf the wizard, handsome Aragorn, elf Legolas, Sam, Gollum, Saruman and others.

Tolkien admitted himself that he used many sources while writing the books, starting with mythology, above all the central European and Nordic mythology, up to folklore about elves.

Supposedly, Finnish was used as a template for the elven language of queneya, just as the saga was created as a consequence of being enchanted by Keleval.

The element of the ring is linked with atom bombs thrown during World War II, and there are guesses that Tolkien was reading Plato`s “The State” or that we adored “The Nibelung Ring” of Hitler`s favourite Wagner.

Mad Max made Mel Gibson famous, by chance

This trilogy was created after one of the most famous comic book series “Jeremiah”. Whether you love him or not, one must admit that Mad Max has already entered the textbooks of general knowledge. The first part of this science-fiction trilogy was released in 1979, starring Mel Gibson, who came across this role by pure chance.

Gibson accompanied his friend to the audition. Since bad Mel got a beating with a local bloke down the pub and was bruised, director George Miller told him to come again in three weeks, because they needed some “weirdoes”.

Gibson could not even imagine that the film would make him famous, because after he was cast, he was featured on all billboards.

Even though the film cost 400,000 and production was in an unenviable position, it was included in the Guinness Book of records as one of the films that paid off. In the last part, recorded in 1985, rock granny Tina Turner interprets one of the main parts.

Kieslowski creates colours to remember

The last trilogy on our list is surely not the least important. What is more, we did not want to mar it with commercial work. “The Three Colours” are something that has to be seen, but the important thing is to point out that these films are not suited for everyone. This trilogy tells of the French Revolution, freedom, equality and fraternity.

Director Krzysztof Kieslowski turned seemingly simply and unattractive themes into “Blue”, “White” and “Red”. Melancholic “Blue” is a story about freedom, which the Polish director, swirls around in a dreary stalemate, but it has a happy ending, which eluded many persons.

Full of symbols, “Blue” is one of the colours of the French flag for some, it is a master piece for others. We chose the later and note that Juliette Binoche was extraordinary.

“White” tells of equality. The story is mostly told in Polish and the plot takes place in Poland and France. “White” is anything but a fairy-tale. We recognise the background in the fall of the communist regime and the arrival of capitalism.

Somewhere between the clash of poverty and the luxury of wealthy, advanced France, Karol Karol`s aspirations are sensed, the main character who represents impoverished Poland, if our judgement can be trusted, while Julie Delpy represents the rich capitalist country.

“Red” is also the director`s last film, as he died of a heart attack two years later. We mention this because it is clearly obvious that the trilogy was created by a many who was too fatigued.

The brilliant story, with many elements of the colour from the title, revolves around extraordinary Irene Jacob, who embodies Valentine and fantastic acting veteran Jean-Louise Trintignan.

“Red” shows disgust which leads to friendship, while at the same time, it tells the story of a student who is dating a girl. Although Kieslowski is objected for being superficial and lacking that atmosphere which is his trademark, “Red” has one of the best plot endings and exquisite photography. Not to mention Zbigniew Preisner` music.