Who doesn’t love Ridley Scott? That cigar smoking, storyboard drawing, walking encyclopaedia of knowledge is responsible for some of the most important films in motion picture history. Whether he’s producing (with his brother Tony) or directing his own, his legacy in the industry is immense and his one-of-a kind style impossible to emulate. Just don’t ruin that legacy by doing more Russell Crowe vehicles, 5 is plenty, and Robin hood was more than enough! Please comment and share your own thoughts:

 

10. Body of Lies 2008

This film had more style than substance, but with strong performances and an interesting topic, it is well worth watching.

 

9. The Duellists 1977

Made for only a budget of $900,000, this historical drama netted Ridley the Best Debut Film award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.

 

8. Thelma and Louise 1991

Ridley goes girl power in this outback road trip flick. The film won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and launched the career of Brad Pitt, one of many great actors Ridley has propelled into stardom.

 

7. Hannibal 2001

What could have been tacky in the wrong hands, Ridley brings style and elegance to a film in which a pig mauls a face and a brain is eaten.

 

6. American Gangster 2007

After getting all digital in ‘Virtuosity’, Denzel and Rusty team up again and do it gangster style.

 

5. Black Hawk Down 2001

An intense modern war epic that faithful to Mark Bowden’s powerful Best Seller. Visually stunning recreation of the trials and tribulations of one of the deadliest US missions in Africa to date.

 

4. Prometheus 2012

Ridley returns to his film making origins with the origin of his first breakthrough film Alien. This is how prequels should be made!

 

3. Blade Runner 1982

The only film I know with five versions on the DVD, the ‘Final Cut’, ‘Theatrical Version’, ‘International Version’, ‘Director’s Cut’, and ‘Workprint Version. What’s next, the ‘Caterers Cut’?

 

2. Gladiator 2000

The film that made sand and sword epics cool again. Russell Crowe is the general who became a slave, the slave who became a gladiator, the gladiator who won an Oscar for Best Actor.

 

1. Alien 1979

The film that essentially launched Ridley’s career is also his best. A brilliant script and revolutionary Alien design by HR Giger provides the basis for Ridley to craft his visual magic, turning what could have been just another sci-fi film into an absolute classic.