DSW10: TOP 10 FILM RECOMMENDATIONS from PAUL OEHLERS

On Halloween 2020, Digging Star Wars turns 10! To celebrate, we've asked previous contributors to provide a Top 10 Recommended Films list. Here's a Top 10 list and words from our theme song's composer Paul Oehlers!

Favorite 10 Films that DSW covered  

1. Lawrence of Arabia
2. Metropolis
3. The Godfather
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark
5. Koyaanisqatsi
6. 2001: A Space Odyssey
7. The Empire Strikes Back
8. Star Wars
9. The Bridge on the River Kwai
10.  Back to the Future

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since this enterprise started.  (I had to put a Star Trek word in there).  If there is anyone in the universe who should be running this project, it should be Chris.  His research on films that influenced Star Wars is second to none in not only his enthusiasm for Star Wars, but in depth knowledge of Star Wars and its relationship to other films.  My favorite aspect of Digging Star Wars is how my perspectives on some of the movies are altered by Chris’ insightful commentary.  Other times, I take pleasure in knowing that I caught some of the same influences that Chris did both from and by.  

In selecting the films, I didn’t think so much of soundtrack, but on movies that changed the overall impact on my perspective as a filmgoer.  For the most part, I find myself gravitating toward the movies that influenced Star Wars, rather than some of the movies that Star Wars influenced.  There’s also probably a dissertation on the Wilhelm scream alone and how its use began in Star Wars by Ben Burtt and it has now appeared in literally hundreds of movies since. 

Chris' note: Paul's music was used in every vlog entry of Digging Star Wars starting with our very first episode The Hidden Fortress! Paul also played in most of my Star Wars RPGs as "Acky" - the Mon Calamari Jedi (pictured below). This Acky drawing is compliments of our good friend Josh Taback....

The Digging Star Wars 10th Anniversary logo art at the top of this blog was supplied by artist Scott Dertby. Please visit his website scottderbyart.com or Esty site to pick up some of his collectible and wearable art. Thanks again to Scott, Paul and Josh for their contributions to this DSW post...and previous posts, too! May the Force be with you!