Good things come in threes: Favorite film trilogies
The Film Society of Lincoln Center is finishing up a retrospective of the films of Indian director, Satyajit Ray. Included in the series is his masterful coming-of-age Apu Trilogy. That got me thinking about my other favorite film trilogies.
A trilogy is defined as “a series of three dramas or literary compositions that, although each is in one sense complete, have a close mutual relationship, and form one theme or develop aspects of one basic concept.” The list below encompasses all aspects of that definition. I single these out as favorites because some are visually stunning – in addition to great storytelling, some are surreal, some retell sweeping historical events and some are heartbreaking. All the makings of great films. Enjoy.
[ Links contain information and/or commentaries about the trilogies. Warning: some SPOILERS ahead ]
- Deepa Mehta – The Elements Trilogy: Fire ~ Earth ~ Water
- Federico Fellini – Loneliness Trilogy: La Strada ~ Il Bidone ~ Nights of Cabiria
- Jean Cocteau – The Orphic Trilogy: Blood of a Poet ~ Orpheus ~ Testament of Orpheus
- Krzysztof Kieslowski – Three Colors Trilogy: Blue ~ White ~ Red
- Satyajit Ray – The Apu Trilogy: Pather Panchali (Song Of The Little Road) ~ Aparajito (The Unvanquished) ~ Apur Sansar (World of Apu)
- Wong Kar Wai – Desire Trilogy: Days of Being Wild ~ In the Mood for Love ~ 2046
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Youssef Chahine – The Alexandria Trilogy: Alexandria… Why? ~ An Egyptian Story ~ Alexandria Again and Forever
What makes a great film trilogy? Any favorites that you would like to add?