1. Classic Movie Analysis Research Paper
You are going to choose a classic film from the list below to analyze. These films are considered
classics for different reasons and are the films that helped define the decade in which they were
created or were ground-breaking in some way. You are going to answer the question: why is the
film considered a classic, groundbreaking, or important? Through watching the film and
seeing what “experts” say about it, what was makes this film good and what has been its
influence on future films? Much of this will be your analysis of the film after watching it.
Why do you think it is good based on analytical observation. You will then look at what the
“experts” say about your film and use that research to prove your thesis.
You are going to need to watch the film (and for research purposes, it would probably be best to
watch it more than once). Pay attention to details like dialogue, colors used, character portrayal,
etc. Make notes because you will need to use examples from the film in creating the argument
about why the film is good. Remember, the film is your primary source, and the research is what
you use to prove your argument. I want an argument based on analysis, NOT a list of facts about
the film. Do not rely on memory to write the research paper. Watch the film!
I do not want everyone doing a handful of the movies, so you will have the opportunity to choose
your movie, if there are more than two (2) people who want to do the same movie, I will draw
names to see which two get to choose that film. Some of these films might be rated R; if you
choose one of these, you must have permission from your parents to use the film.
Requirements:
The paper must be 5 pages in length and in 12pt Times New Roman font. Anything less than
five (5) full pages in length will result in a 5 point loss to your grade. You must use three (3)
secondary sources and one primary source (the film) in your analysis.
List of Films:
Charlie Chaplin Short Films (silent films)
The Jazz Singer – 1927 (musical)
Metropolis—1927 (German sci fi)
42nd Street—1933 (musical)
King Kong--1933
It Happened One Night—1934 (comedy)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—1937 (cartoon/animation)
Gone with the Wind—1939 (historical drama)
The Wizard of Oz--1939
Stagecoach—1939 (Western)
Citizen Kane—1941 (drama)
Casablanca—1942 (drama/romance)
The Bicycle Thief—1947 (Italian neorealist)
Singin’ in the Rain—1952 (musical)
Vertigo—1958 (Hitchcock/suspense)
Pscyho—1960 (horror)
To Kill a Mockingbird—1962 (drama)

2. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner—1967 (drama/race relations)
2001: A space Odyssey—1968 (adventure/myster/sci-fi)
The Godfather—1972 (drama)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—1975 (drama)
Jaws—1975 (drama/horror)
Rocky—1976 (drama/boxing)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind—(drama/aliens)
Star Wars—1977 (sci fi)
Apocalypse Now—1979 (war—Vietnam)
Raging Bull—1980 (sports/boxing)
Do the Right Thing—1989 (drama/race relations)
Good Fellas—1990 (crime/mafia/drama)
Toy Story—1995 (animation)
Saving Private Ryan—1998 (war)
The Blair Witch Project—1999 (horror)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—2001 (Chinese film)
Pan’s Labyrinth—2006 (Mexico—fantasy)
Persepolis—2007 (foreign film)
The Hurt Locker—2009 (war—Iraq)
Lab Dates: Mar 28, 29, 30; April 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Point Values and Due Dates:
• Due ________--1st 4 Analysis of Information Sheets with articles due (quiz)
• Due ________--2nd 4 Analysis of Information Sheets with articles due (quiz)
• Due ________--Preliminary Thesis
• Due _______ --Outline (quiz)
• Due _______--Final Draft – two (2) test grades
**The paper must be turned in to turnitin.com as well as turned in as a hard copy. If you do not
turn it in to turnitin.com by the due date, five (5) points will be deducted from your grade, and it
will not be graded until it is submitted.
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR A PAPER BEING
LATE. IF YOU MUST BE ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE, YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE
TURN IN THE PAPER NO LATER THAN 3:30 P.M. ON THAT DATE. I WILL NOT ACCEPT
AN EMAIL COPY OR A TURNITIN.COM COPY; YOU MUST HAVE A PRINTED COPY TO
ME THAT DAY.
Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the requirements for the 10th grade
research paper. Your signature also indicates you understand the film must be viewed at home, and if the
student chose a rated R movie, he/she has your permission to use the film for the research paper.
____________________ __________ ________________________________
Student signature Date Name of Film for Research Paper
____________________ __________
Parent Signature Date