Roman Holiday (1953)
Set in Rome and starring Audrey Hepburn (in her first major movie appearance) there is plenty to delight the eye in this classic romantic comedy standard: from the classic Roman architecture with the vastly ornate interiors to Hepburn's timeless beauty and charm. As with many black and white masterpieces, what marvels the most is the delightful and precise use of shadow and light. Most marvelous in Roman Holiday is how those sections of the screen not in on the film's action are beautifully blacked out in pristine darkness.
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
Black and white film and film noir were made for each other. The shadowy darkness of the medium perfectly suits the dark themes and characters of the genre. One of the greatest examples of this is Sweet Smell of Success starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. With the murky corners and personalities contrasting the brilliant flashing lights of Hollywood matching those characters' lofty and stinging ambitions Sweet Smell of Success proves black and white film is instinctly atmospheric. This is one of those films I can watch purely for its gorgeous lack of color; although, it is also filled with wonderfully swift dialogue and acid whit.
Dr. Stranglove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
A major strength of black and white film, both motion and still, is its ability to not only capture but add to the emotion, character and texture to the faces being filmed. Close portraits are very often more fascinating and inspiring when done in black and white and the same is true of a movie close-up. Dr. Strangelove is exemplary in this with its gorgeous black and white filming of monologueing characters--for in those faces are the laughs for this black comedy concerning the annihilation of the world.
The Third Man (1949)
Once again black and white proves to be the perfect medium for film noir. The art of playing shadow off light is worked to perfection in this crime story set in the dismal and war torn Vienna. In the shadows of this film, suspense is built and mysterious characters are famously revealed. Taking place mostly at night, the slightly angled shots only increase the tension we all feel when in the dark. Not to be missed is the magnificent climax of shadows chasing shadows though the cavernous underworks of Vienna. This is another movie where the filming is so well executed that I can watch it merely for its black and white beauty.
The Longest Day (1962)
This D-Day epic is beautiful in its expanse. Where previously mentioned films take advantage of individual characteristics of black and white film the sprawling and flowing filming exhibited in The Longest Day displays black and white's versatility as a medium. The use of black and white helps make this film feel less entertainment and more a record of one of the most astounding accomplishments in recent history, proving that proper WWII productions are shot in black and white.
Citizen Kane (1941)
It is difficult to write anything of this movie, so commonly proclaimed "the greatest ever made," that has not already been stated by others, but the reason I have included it on this list is its dazzling use of light and deep focus. Filmed to perfection it makes sense that the greatest movie ever filmed was filmed in black and white.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
While watching black and white movies I often feel a sense of nostalgia, and It's a Wonderful Life is of the finest examples. I list this film because the use of black and white is so very vital to the characters of the film and its interpretation. Again, shadowy cinematography compliments the dark themes of the film. Jimmy Stewart's incredible performance of desperation is made more effective thanks to the black and white filming.
