Ubuntu Tips n Tricks

10 Great Movies Worth Watching on YouTube

Posted: 17 Apr 2011 08:37 AM PDT

YouTube, a simple video-sharing site that began in 2005 has now become a global phenomenon. Be it 'David after Dentist' or 'The YouTube Symphony Orchestra', this Google-owned site, has found a way to keep everyone entertained. A while ago, YouTube started uploading full-length movies to a brand new section called YouTube Movies. While many of the movies there are too corny to watch, there are some that cannot be missed. Here's a list of 10 such movies.

N.B: The movies mentioned below are legally available through YouTube because they are available in public domain. Watching these movies will not violate any copyright policy whatsoever.

1. To Kill A Mockingbird

Based on the Pulitzer-winning book by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird is a story about Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, who defends a black man from a false accusation and racial prejudice. Those who have read the book will agree that this novel is the finest American literature has ever produced. Also, the movie is perhaps one of the best screen adaptations of a novel. To Kill A Mockingbird currently ranks 34th in AFI's list of top 100 movies of all time. The movie stars the legendary Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, in a role, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The movie received 2 more Oscars, one for Best Art Direction and another for Best Adapted Screenplay. Furthermore, critics and audiences have deemed this classic as the best courtroom drama of all time. In case you haven't seen the movie yet, go find some time and watch the movie for it is a riveting journey from start to finish.

2. And Then There Were None

Based on the classic novel by mystery author Agatha Christie that was later adapted as the Broadway hit Ten Little Indians, And Then There Were None begins with ten characters, each with a skeleton in his or her closet, on a remote island off the English coast. They soon realize that they have been brought there by an insane judge, who has tried each of them for criminal behavior in the past, and who now feels it is his duty to render proper justice for each. The struggle to stay alive begins as each "guest" is eliminated in a fashion that corresponds to the titular nursery rhyme. Any mystery, suspense or thriller fan will be incomplete without seeing this work of absolute genius. This may be the best mystery ever put to film.

3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

If you're expecting the Robert Downey Jr. one, you'll be let down, but if you're expecting a great Sherlock Holmes movie you'll never be disappointed. Rated 7.7/10 on IMDB, this 1939 classic stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson.

4. Oliver Twist

This movie, based on the classic Charles Dickens novel is the story of an orphan boy Oliver who runs away from a workhouse and meets a pickpocket on the streets of London. Oliver is taken in by the pickpocket and he joins a household of young boys who are trained to steal for their master. Star Wars fanatics won't miss the enigmatic Obi-Wan Kenobi, sometimes known as Sir Alec Guinness who plays the role of the wicked Fagin. This classic holds a 7.9/10 rating on IMDB. Watch it!

5. Fists Of Fury

The film that made Bruce Lee a phenomenon in Asia, Fists of Fury (also known as Big Boss) is about a young man (Lee) who works with his cousins in an ice factory. When his cousins begin to disappear mysteriously, he finds out that the factory is a front for a drug smuggling ring led by the Big Boss, Hsiao Mi a.k.a the evil bad guy. Now, I won't tell you how he gets back at the bad guys, because that's where the real action lies. A real treat for Bruce Lee fans, Fists of Fury is Rated R and is an English-dubbed version of the Mandarin and Cantonese original.

6. Cul-de-Sac

A wounded criminal and his dying partner take refuge at a beachfront castle. The owners of the castle, a meek Englishman and his willful French wife, are initially the unwilling hosts to the criminals. Quickly, however, the relationships between the criminal, the wife and the Englishman begin to shift in humorous and bizarre fashion. Described by Polanski himself as his best film, this 1966 BAFTA-nominated classic scores a decent 7.2/10 on IMDB. Another must-watch film for all Polanski fans.

7. Charade

Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn are Oscar-nominated film stars. Need I say more?

8. Bringing Up Baby

A 1938 romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn; again, needs no further explaining.

9. Gol Maal

Perhaps one of the funniest yet simplest Indian films ever made, Gol Maal still scores 8.2/10 on IMDB. A must see for all die-hard comedy fans.

P.S: The Youtube version of this film is in Hindi without any subtitles.

10. HOME

This 2008 documentary film produced by Luc Besson and narrated by Glenn Close, shows how the Earth's problems are all interlinked. To depict that, director Yann Arthus-Bertrand uses aerial images of 54 countries, and 120 locations shot over 217 days. Scoring an 8.4/10 on IMDB, this stunning documentary has already received over 15 million views on YouTube. Don't miss it at any cost!

Link: http://youtu.be/jqxENMKaeCU

Other great full-length movies, concerts and shows on YouTube:

Bob Dylan – 1966 world tour: The Home Movies: http://youtu.be/XdALCXGshu0

Muhammad Ali - The Greates: http://youtu.be/cPnlc8d5SCs

Popeye (for the CN nostalgics!): http://youtu.be/74hYhy7ickk

Rowan Atkinson Live (Full-length standup): http://youtu.be/uw8dW9Hyno0

This article was written by Abhishek, a TechSource contributor and longtime FOSS enthusiast/advocate.