7.9/1095 votes#1 - Popular and Memorable
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/4/2024
A large proportion of the most commercially successful American films are quickly forgotten. A tiny fraction, however, are truly memorable, lasting from one generation to another. Using iconic scenes from many of these classic films, this series explores films that were both popular and memorable. In this episode, Howard Suber asks why this small minority continues to have such power.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
7.9/1070 votes#2 - Trapped
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/11/2024
Nearly all memorable stories, whether told in movies or in real life, are about traps. The most memorable are generally about the loss, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph the central character must engage in to escape their trap.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
8.1/1056 votes#3 - Character Relationships
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/18/2024
There’s no such thing as an interesting character; there are only interesting character relationships. But, as is true for religions, myths, and the longest-lasting dramas, the structure of most memorable dramatic plots centers on a single individual, around whom all the most important action and the other characters revolve.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
8.2/1053 votes#4 - Heroes and Villains
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1/25/2024
Memorable films tend to be a compensation for what we don’t see much of in the real world— justice, commitment, and altruism. Film drama frequently treats the central characters as if they were heroes or villains, but often the two are very much alike.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
8.0/1046 votes#5 - The Power of Paradox
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/1/2024
In almost every memorable film, things are not what they seem, and learning the truth about characters and situations creates much of the tension in the film. Often, the truth of the film is quite paradoxical, which is what makes us want to keep watching.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
7.9/1042 votes#6 - Love and Meaning
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/8/2024
Although it’s often said that in order to succeed, a Hollywood film has to have a happy ending, when you look at the most memorable love stories it’s astonishing how many of them end with the separation or death of one or both lovers. Often, the paradox underlying the film helps explain why they stick in our memories.
Director: Laura Gabbert
Writer: Howard Suber, Doug Pray
The Best Episodes of The Power of Film Season 1
Every episode of The Power of Film Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Power of Film Season 1!
Dive deep into the art of storytelling by examining the defining principles and inner workings of the greatest classic films from the past century.
Genre:Documentary
Network:Turner Classic Movies
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Popular and Memorable" is the best rated episode of "The Power of Film" season 1. It scored 7.9/10 based on 95 votes. Directed by Laura Gabbert and written by Howard Suber, Doug Pray, it aired on 1/4/2024. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Trapped".