This is it - ground zero for me in terms of inspiring me to become a filmmaker. Featuring a look, a feel that I hadn't before experienced in a theatre, it changed my whole approach to viewing and appreciating film. I've gotten into many a battle about the worthiness of this particular film, and I realize its place among film historians, but for me its a definite GOAT. Key elements are Dickerson's mighty cinematography (shooting with old-school arc lights to simulate sunshine), pretty much a perfect script by Lee, and PE's anthemic "Fight the Power" as the most important use of hip-hop ever committed to film.

While many will say that 'The Red Shoes' is the pinnacle of the Archer's artistry, for me 'Colonel Blimp' is my favorite film of theirs. I love the epic film genre, and this one holds its own against the best. Spanning decades of a man's life with filmmaking techniques way ahead of their time (not to mentioned being filmed in England during WWII - insane), 'Blimp' does a masterful job of combining the macro of a sweeping storyline with the micro of characters that you actually care about. Highly recommended.