The Art of Film Editing: Reddit’s Top 6 Picks for Exceptional Films

Reddit can be a great social media platform for those that enjoy a discussion and a friendly debate about a variety of different things. Movie enthusiasts are just one sub-culture that continually shares their opinions and thoughts on the site, especially when it comes down to discussing key aspects.

Editing has become an art form within the movie industry as technology has gotten better and developed over recent decades. Filmmakers are using it to make their creations and stories more memorable with audiences as they look to adopt certain methods and techniques in order to capture the imaginations of viewers and keep them engaged and entertained with each scene. The use of editing has helped create and trigger emotions, while also creating an aesthetically pleasing visual experience at the same time. 

With films using the technique to their advantage, there are some that have been able to use editing better than others. So much so, there have been discussions and threads created on Reddit about which are the best movies to have utilised the technology and provided the best viewing experiences.

Six movies have been chosen, as the list is truly endless if you continue to scroll the threads, but the following appears to have left the greatest impression in regard to the art of video editing…

1. Raging Bull

Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull is one of the all-time favourites in the voting, according to Reddit threads to have been checked. In addition to being considered one of the best movies to have ever been made, many believe the editing used within the film should be in its own category. The movie – which saw Scorsese and film editor Thelma Schoonmaker win an Academy Award and BAFTA for its editing – featured effects such as slow-motion techniques during the fights, while also being the first time that cameras were placed in the actual ring for a boxing movie. Additionally, the black-and-white cinematography and editing combined help make this film a piece of art.

2. Whiplash

2014 drama Whiplash is another film that has used editing as an art form extremely successfully. It was used to create and build tension between the music student and his strict teacher. The way that the video editing software used in this movie helped to keep audiences on edge while the sounds that were used also helped to add to the tension that was being projected off the screen. Allegedly, the director and editor – Damien Chazelle and Tom Cross – kept Raging Bull on a loop as they worked on the final edit of this film.

3. The Social Network

The Social Network was released in 2010 and depicted the story of how Facebook was created. A lot of editing techniques were used throughout, with each of them helping to add to the overall tone of the film. Split-screen was notable throughout the movie as it highlighted multiple different conversations happening at the same time. This helped to add depth to the characters and their relationships.

4. No Country for Old Men

A 2007 release, No Country for Old Men managed to use editing to its maximum effect, despite the fact it was used in such a minimalistic way. The film’s director decided to use a number of different camera shots throughout the movie, which helped to create loneliness and despair that viewers were able to feel as they watched. Joel and Ethan Coen also decided not to use background music, thus helping to create an uneasy effect and a sense of tension throughout.

5. JFK

A film based on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 1991 JFK political thriller also used editing to its full effect to obtain the desired result. There was the use of a variety of different stock footage and cuts that created chaos and confusion about what was happening. Oliver Stone also managed to use editing techniques to showcase different points of view, thus giving everyone something else to think about as it was being played. 

6. Citizen Kane

Arguably one of the best and even underrated across the editing world, 1941’s Citizen Kane made the most of editing techniques that were available at the time. It was considered to be ground breaking for its time as it managed to use flashbacks, and deep-focus shots throughout; therefore, adding depth to each shot and making the film visually compelling. Montages were also used, thus highlighting the impact that effective editing could have in the film world.

Editing is an Art Form

With the six films to have been listed – and the countless others to have adopted techniques – it is clear that movie editing is an art form and one that can help enhance the quality of the story being depicted on the screen.