Peter Gabriel was one of the co-founders and the original singer of the Progressive Rock Genesis. In 1975 he decided to leave the band to spend more time with his family and to focus on other projects, including working with movies. During the following decades besides launching a successful solo career, the musician also composed soundtracks for many films like “Birdy” (1985) and The Last Temptation of Christ (1989).
In an interview with Classic Rock in 2011, the singer and songwriter mentioned some of his favorite films of all time. Rock and Roll Garage tells you a little bit more about them.
“(My taste is) very broad and I always have a horror of ‘favorite’ or ‘best’ lists – because I’ll forget something, and then kick myself afterwards. But… I love Fellini. Hitchcock – Rear Window perhaps coloured the song Intruder.”
He continued:
“El Topo, by Jodorowosky, made a big impression on me when I was young, and I think influenced The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. I like visual poetry, but also just good storytelling. Twelve Angry Men. Ace In The Hole. I’m just riffing here; don’t say these are my all-time favourites.”
“Raging Bull. Yes, I scored The Last Temptation Of Christ – fantastic film. Great to work with Scorsese. We did edits at the Brill Building. Michael Powell [of Powell-Pressburger] was around, offering his comments. He had a brown paper bag full of fruit – apples, cherries – for everyone.
Movies mentioned by Peter Gabriel as some of his favorites of all time
“Rear Window” (1954)
Directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, “Rear Window” had also the actors James Stewart and Grace Kelly, two longtime collaborators of the director.
It tells the story of an injured photographer who is stuck in a wheelchair during his recovery. He starts to spy on his neighbors through his apartment window. But after a while he gets convinced that one of them has committed a murder.
“El Topo” (1970)
“El Topo” is a Mexican Western movie which was written, directed, scored and starred by Alejandro Jodorowsky. It shows the story of a mysterious gunslinger dressed in black that wanders through a mystical Western landscape. During his journey, the man encounters many stranger characters.
“Twelve Angry Men” (1957)
Directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet, “12 Angry Men” is one of the most famous and praised movies about a trial. With Henry Fonda, the movie tells the story of a New York murder which is foiled by a single member, whose skepticism forces the jury to consider the evidence before they return to the courtroom with verdict.
“Ace In The Hole” (1951)
Released in 1951, “Ace In The Hole” was directed by the legendary Billy Wilder and Kirk Douglas in the main role. It tells the story of a frustrated journalist who seizes a story about a man trapped in a cave in an attempt to revive his career. But then the situation quickly escalates into a real circus that goes beyond his control.
“Raging Bull”
One of the most famous movies about boxing, “Raging Bull” was directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro. Released in 1980, the film tells the story of the real boxer Jake LaMotta, who sees who the violence and temperament took him to the top of the ring but also destroyed his personal life.
The movie won the Academy Awards in the categories: “Best Actor” and “Best Film Editing” at the time.
“The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988)
Another movie directed by Martin Scorsese, “The Last Temptation of Christ” had in main role the actor Willem Dafoe, it told the story of Jesus Christ’s journey facing the struggles of being a human and his ultimate temptation on the cross.
As mentioned by Peter Gabriel, he was the one in charge of the soundtrack for the movie.