MovieChat Forums > Midnight Cowboy (1969) Discussion > Still a magnificent film

Still a magnificent film

posted 11 years ago by jrl0726
8 replies | jump to latest

After all these years this masterwork is still riveting. Probably the most complete film ever in terms of just about every facet of the picture is top notch. The 2 greatest double lead performances ever by Hoffman and Voight. Great direction from Schlesinger, the best editing I ever seen. Camera work and sets were superb. All the supporting roles were excellent and of course, the music was perfect by both Nilsson and Barry. Brilliant screenplay by Salt and producer Hellman deserves a lot of credit for the whole thing. The fact that this film began rated X and then R had a lot to do with any rejection received from media or the public and prevents it from being universally renowned as one of the best hand full of films ever made. It's my number two after "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre".

[–] balboa76 11 years ago

Midnight Cowboy is incredible, one of my top ten, am going to have to check out "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" never seen it.

[–] RuthlessGoat 11 years ago

I like your analysis. I too am quite smitten by this masterpiece and plan to do a comprehensive review at my site to commemorate the 45th anniversary. Stay tuned, it will be at

http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/22307/midnight-cowboy/

[–] Reblioso 9 years ago

Really good and well-written review.

[–] RuthlessGoat 9 years ago

Thanks, that review is still my favorite. It is a pleasure to review a great film like Midnight Cowboy and the DVD extras were amazing in helping with the insight.

Goat at Ruthless Reviews

[–] Reblioso 9 years ago

Intend to read more of your reviews. This particular one really impressed me and helps put into perspective why it's such a classic and innovative film ahead of its time.

[–] shepardjessica-1 10 years ago

The most deserving Best Picture winner of all time.

[–] rascal67 10 years ago

The most deserving Best Picture winner of all time.
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In terms of the year it was released and the other films that were in competition or eligible for competition, I would agree with you.

If MIDNIGHT COWBOY, was competing with other strong and worthy contenders from this era and lets say 'hypothetically', if it was nominated along with films like:
The Good The Bad And The Ugly-67'; Rosemary's Baby-68'; 2001 A Space Odyssey-68'; Patton-70'; The Last Picture Show-71'; Deliverance-72'; The Godfather Part II-74'; Jaws-75'; One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest-75' and if they had more than 5 nominees like now and they were all released AS IS, all in the same year; would it still be a worthy winner? I would have to think about that, as all the films I have listed, I feel are worthy of BP.

[–] InherentlyYours 10 years ago

'The fact that this film began rated X and then R had a lot to do with any rejection received from media or the public and prevents it from being universally renowned as one of the best hand full of films ever made'
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How would you know for a fact that is why? Maybe it's because there is no "best" handful of movies. Not all Best Picture Winners-- as if that wasn't enough-- are 'universally renowned'.