Buzz
Even after color films became the standard, some filmmakers chose to return to black and white cinematography, whether for artistic impact or budgetary reasons. This list highlights the finest modern black and white films, focusing on those intentionally shot in monochrome despite the prevalence of color. Films with minimal color accents are included, but those dominated by full-color frames, like Pleasantville and American History X, are excluded. Special thanks to Blogball for proposing this topic in the forums. Note: Only one film per director is listed, so some favorites might be missing.
15. Down By Law 1986, Jim Jarmusch
Down By Law is an indie classic that follows the arrest, imprisonment, and escape of three men. The film’s deliberate pacing and atmospheric cinematography beautifully capture the essence of New Orleans and the Bayous. Unlike typical prison escape movies, it emphasizes the evolving relationships among the characters rather than the escape itself. A standout feature is the inclusion of musician Tom Waits in a leading role.
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14. Man Bites Dog 1992, Rémy Belvaux
This Belgian mockumentary, shot in black and white, follows a film crew documenting the life of a serial killer. Made on a shoestring budget by four student filmmakers, the movie adopts a 'fly on the wall' style, capturing the chilling charisma of the protagonist, Benoit, as he commits murders for both pleasure and profit. Known by its original French title, C’est arrivé près de chez vous (It Happened Near Your House), the film offers a darkly satirical take on crime and media.
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13. The Man Who Wasn’t There 2001, Joel and Ethan Coen
Though not as widely recognized as some of the Coen Brothers' other works, this film is a hidden gem. It follows a man attempting to break free from his monotonous existence, featuring standout performances by Billy Bob Thornton, Scarlett Johansson, and Frances McDormand. Originally shot on color film, it was deliberately released in black and white to enhance its 1950s atmosphere. Interestingly, a few reels were mistakenly distributed in color during its initial release.
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12. Pi 1998, Darren Aronofsky
Directed by the visionary behind Requiem for a Dream, this film delves into the life of a Mathematical Genius. His extraordinary numerical abilities attract the attention of Wall Street firms eager to exploit his skills for profit. The plot thickens with intriguing connections to numerical theories in the Torah, resulting in a captivating and unconventional narrative. Shot on a modest budget, the film utilizes black and white reversal film, which produces a positive image directly without the need for a negative.
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11. Clerks 1994, Kevin Smith
This film captures a day in the lives of two New Jersey store clerks, chronicling their chaotic misadventures involving drug dealers, a funeral, a deceased customer, and plenty of customer confrontations. Entirely shot in black and white, the movie was self-funded by the director, who sold his comic book collection and maxed out credit cards to gather the necessary $27,575. Despite its low budget, it went on to earn over $3.1 million.
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10. Night of the Living Dead 1968, George Romero
Produced on a shoestring budget of $114,000, this indie film grossed over $40 million globally. It resonated deeply with Vietnam-era America, offering subtle societal critiques. The special effects were ingeniously low-cost, using Bosco chocolate syrup for blood and mortician’s wax for zombie makeup. The raw, black-and-white guerrilla filmmaking style lends it the gritty realism of a wartime documentary.
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9. La Haine 1995, Mathieu Kassovitz
La Haine is a masterful portrayal of three young men—an Arab, a Jew, and a Black—navigating life in Paris amidst racial tensions. The story unfolds around the aftermath of a police officer shooting an Arab youth during riots. As my personal favorite French film, I highly recommend it. The black-and-white cinematography enhances the raw authenticity of the riot scenes and subtly comments on the film's racial themes, symbolizing a hopeful future free from color-based discrimination.
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8. Ed Wood 1994, Tim Burton
Ed Wood is a cult classic that delves into the life of the eccentric, cross-dressing filmmaker of the same name. When Tim Burton insisted on shooting the film entirely in black and white, Columbia Pictures resisted, fearing it would hinder international and video sales. Burton stood firm and ultimately produced the film under Disney, where he retained full creative control. Despite earning only $5.8 million, the film received widespread critical acclaim.
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7. Young Frankenstein 1974, Mel Brooks
Young Frankenstein, featuring Gene Wilder, is a comedic take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The film cleverly reuses props from the 1930s adaptation of the story. To evoke the classic horror film aesthetic, Mel Brooks chose to shoot entirely in black and white—a bold move for the era. The movie also incorporates vintage 1930s-style transitions, including fades, wipes, and iris effects.
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6. Manhattan 1979, Woody Allen
Manhattan, a comedy directed by and starring Woody Allen, earned the BAFTA award for Best Film. Allen chose black-and-white cinematography to capture his nostalgic view of Manhattan, inspired by childhood memories of postcards and books. He remarked, 'In Manhattan, we truly captured the essence of the city. On the big screen, it feels decadent.' Allen also insisted the video release maintain the original aspect ratio, a rare request at the time.
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5. Sin City 2005, Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez
Sin City, adapted from Frank Miller’s graphic novel, stands out as one of the few fully digital live-action films. Initially shot in color, it was meticulously converted to high-quality black-and-white, with selective colorization added later. The film’s heightened contrast enhances the stark separation between blacks and whites, paying homage to the film noir style.
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4. The Elephant Man 1980, David Lynch
The Elephant Man is a biographical drama inspired by the life of Joseph Merrick, who suffered from Proteus Syndrome, often mistaken for elephantiasis. The film became an unexpected success, earning eight Academy Award nominations. Its black-and-white cinematography lends a historically authentic tone, perfectly capturing the Victorian era. Interestingly, Mel Brooks produced the film but kept his involvement low-key to avoid any misconceptions about it being a comedy.
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3. Raging Bull 1980, Martin Scorsese
Raging Bull chronicles the turbulent life of boxer Jake LaMotta, portrayed by Robert De Niro. Though initially met with mixed reviews, it is now hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, alongside Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, which also stars De Niro. Scorsese and cinematographer Michael Chapman opted for black-and-white filming to evoke the 1940s era, drawing inspiration from vintage boxing photographs. This choice also set the film apart from contemporary boxing movies like Rocky.
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2. Schindler’s List 1993, Steven Spielberg
Schindler’s List tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved more than 1,000 Jews during World War II. The choice to film in black and white was inspired by German Expressionism and Italian neorealism, aiming to create a timeless aesthetic. This decision posed challenges for set designers, who had to adjust lighting and costumes to ensure actors stood out against the monochrome backdrop. A striking touch of red in a girl’s coat symbolizes the blood on the hands of the Allies, who failed to intervene during the Holocaust.
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1. Dr Strangelove 1964, Stanley Kubrick
“Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” is a cinematic adaptation of Peter George’s Cold War thriller, Red Alert. The movie humorously critiques the concept of mutual assured destruction. Filmed entirely in black and white, it starkly highlights the gravity of its themes. Undoubtedly, this stands as one of Kubrick’s most iconic works.
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