‘Rita’ And ‘tootsie’ Join ‘gandhi’ In A Top... (Press, 5 January 1984)

On 5 January 1984, a review of the best films of 1983 highlighted surprising choices in a year primarily characterised by serious cinema. Notably, two comedies—"Educating Rita" and "Tootsie"—topped the readers' list, followed closely by the serious drama "Gandhi." The top ten films for 1983, as determined by a survey of over 60 nominated movies, included: 1. "Educating Rita," 2. "Tootsie," 3. "Gandhi," 4. "Ragtime," 5. "An Officer and a Gentleman," 6. "Sophie’s Choice," 7. "Octopussy," 8. "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrenee," 9. "Blade Runner," and 10. "Heat and Dust." The voting showed a close contest, particularly between "Heat and Dust" and "Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life," with the latter missing out by just a single point. One surprising aspect noted was "Octopussy's" placement, while Sean Connery's "Never Say Never Again" received no votes at all. The overall voter base for this year's polls appeared diverse, encompassing both seasoned cinema enthusiasts and younger viewers, highlighting an evolving demographic in film appreciation. The influx of opinions suggested a growing engagement, with many younger individuals expressing preferences for films that were not represented in the top ten, such as "Flashdance" and "My Tutor." Reader correspondence also unveiled frustrations regarding cinema policies and screening practices, with one letter by Murray Swann from Christchurch shedding light on the limited availability of films. Swann detailed his disappointment over numerous films advertised but never shown, calling for more opportunities for moviegoers to experience these titles. He expressed particular admiration for the Masters Theatre group for their commitment to screening a wider variety of films amidst the shortcomings of the major chains, notably criticising Kerridge-Odeon's closure of the Odeon Theatre and the Avon Theatre's limited offerings. Swann's critique included examples of films he had hoped to see that were never screened, such as "The Fan" and "The World According to Garp." He lamented the lengthy wait periods for certain releases, feeling that the delays were unacceptable and hoped for an improved year in cinema for 1984. Another letter from Mrs Joan Earl echoed a similar sentiment regarding "The World According to Garp," which she enjoyed in Australia but was not shown in Christchurch, raising questions about screening choices, particularly regarding a character's portrayal as a transvestite. The article concluded with an invitation to readers who provided feedback, promising tickets to any cinema of their choice as a token of appreciation for their engagement. Overall, the review underscored a year of notable cinematic achievements alongside challenges that audiences faced in accessing films.

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