Cinematography is a big part of movie making and involves the art of photography. The word comes from the Greek ‘kinema’ which means movement or motion and ‘graphein’ meaning to record. Cinematography is used to refer to the artistic process of making films. We all love a good film and it’s great to watch an epic on our modern day, huge flat screen smart TVs. Especially a film that has been noted for its impressive cinematography. Here we take a look at some of the films that have won Oscars for their exceptional cinematography. You may want to add some of them to your watch list.
Titanic – 1997
This epic tells the tale of the sinking of the Titanic as it happened during the midst of a blossoming love affair. A teenage aristocrat falls in love with a handsome but poor artist and their tale is bound to become one of heartbreak and tragedy. To watch amazing films in your own home cinema, see Home Automation.
Braveheart – 1995
It’s easy to see how this movie had the potential to look incredible on the big screen. Epic battles and action adventure telling the story of Sir William Wallace on his quest for revenge. When his bride is murdered for assaulting an English soldier who tried to rape her, he swears vengeance and begins a revolt against King Edward I of England.
Schindler’s List – 1993
Cinematic mastery occurred in this harrowing tale of the Holocaust. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Oscar Schindler is a brash businessman who gradually becomes increasingly concerned for the welfare of his Jewish workers under the Nazi regime in occupied Poland.
Dances With Wolves – 1990
An American Indian epic following the life of Lt. John Dunbar as he’s exiled to a remote Civil War outpost. He falls in love with a Native American woman and befriends the tribe, much to the disgust of his military colleagues. The wide, open plains were captured perfectly in the cinematography of this movie.
Out of Africa – 1985
The scenery was always going to big and epic when setting a movie in Africa. The story tells of a Danish plantation owner who engages in a passionate love affair with a big game hunter in 20th century colonial Kenya.
Gandhi – 1982
Directed by Richard Attenborough and starring the magnificent Ben Kingsley, this movie shows us the life story of the legendary man that was Gandhi. A man of non-violence, through his patience and resolve, he managed to drive the British out of India. Such a big story needed some big screen cinematography.
Apocalypse Now – 1979
Set during the Vietnam War, a Captain is sent on a daring mission to assassinate a renegade colonel in Cambodia. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and an impressive line-up including Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind – 1977
Another epic from Mr Spielberg, this sci-fic classic follows an average working man, who, after an encounter with a UFO, feels a strange draw to a certain area of landscape. When he gets there, amazing things happen.