Christopher Nolan’s films have an original atmosphere and a very recognizable handwriting. For the first time in the world of cinematography a talented Brit appeared with a fully auteur picture, which he wrote, shot and edited himself. Subsequent works brought incredible popularity, turning the maestro into one of the best modern directors.
Oppenheimer
- Genre: Drama, biography, history
- UK, USA production / 2023
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Cillian Murphy, Jason Pfister, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Alden Ehrenrike, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Gary Oldman, Josh Hartnett, David Dastmalchian
Christopher Nolan’s new film is set in the era of World War II, when the first atomic bomb was being created under the direction of scientist Robert Oppenheimer. The physicist imagines a future of humanity with nuclear weapons, and the prospects look daunting.
A safe theory is not enough to terrify the power of the bomb, so practical use is required. Robert doubts whether people can be trusted with such power, but he has no other choice.
This is Nolan’s first film produced under the auspices of Universal Pictures.
Tenet
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Sci-fi, action, thriller, adventure
- UK, USA production / 2020
- Budget: $205 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $365 304 105
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Caine, Himesh Patel, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Dimple Kapadia, Clemence Poesy
A CIA agent is assigned the responsible task of preventing World War III. The spy receives no information other than the code word «Tenet» and for the first time encounters an unusual weapon when neutralizing terrorists.
Somehow, in a strange way, events are reversed, and soon the qualities of inversion become known. Angry descendants decided to change the world, and to do this, it is necessary to reprisal the ancestors. The agent tries to prevent the catastrophe, but time always plays against him.
The picture won an Oscar for Visual Effects. It took Nolan about six years to write the script. Filming took place in the United States, India and several European countries.
Dunkirk
- Rating IMDB – 7.8
- Genre: War, Drama, History
- UK, Netherlands, France, USA production / 2017
- Budget: $100 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $525 245 546
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Finn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Anairin Barnard, James D’Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance
In 1940, after fortifications in France were breached, most of the European troops were blocked by the Nazis at the seaside town of Dunkirk. The beach turns into a deadly trap, as the sea stretches behind the soldiers and the enemy forces continue to gather ahead.
Under these conditions, full assistance on land is impossible, so the British government makes a difficult decision to save several hundred thousand soldiers.
The director’s first film, which he made based on historical events. Part of the filming took place in the central part of the Netherlands on Lake Eysselmer. For the work Nolan received not only a fee of 20 million, but also 20% of the box office.
Interstellar
- Rating IMDB – 8.6
- Genre: Fantastic, Drama, Adventure
- USA, UK, Canada production / 2014
- Budget: $165 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $774 136 705
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Caine, David Jesi, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Matt Damon
Christopher Nolan’s top-rated film is the story of a global environmental disaster unfolding in the year 2067. Dust storms are ravaging the planet, causing the death of animals and plants.
The shortage of food forces scientists to use a special “wormhole” that will allow them to make a leap through space and time. A group of astronauts sets out to find a new home for humanity, and among the crew is a farmer who has discovered a lifeline.
The picture’s script and method of moving through space is based on the official editions of physicist Thorne. Dust clouds were created with huge fans blowing fine artificial sand made of cellulose into the air.
The Dark Knight Rises
- Rating IMDB – 8.4
- Genre: Fantastic, Action, Thriller, Drama, Crime
- USA, UK production / 2012
- Budget: $250 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $1 081 041 287
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Matthew Modine, Ben Mendelsohn
James Gordon hides the story of Harvey Dent’s downfall at Batman’s request, so eight years later the dead prosecutor is still considered a real hero. Bruce Wayne, too, has retreated, hiding in his huge mansion from the world around him, but a new enemy won’t let him enjoy the peace.
A terrorist “League,” led by a violent villain, is gaining strength in the city’s dungeon. Bane hides his face behind a mask, and Batman is forced to step out of the shadows, teaming up with the brave Catwoman.
More than 10,000 extras were involved in the scene at the stadium. Some Pittsburgh Steelers players played the roles of soccer players, and athlete Hines Ward appeared in a cameo. Actress Anne Hathaway admitted that the preparation for the filming was the hardest during her career. She had to train a lot and learn difficult tricks.
Inception
- Rating IMDB – 8.8
- Genre: Fantastic, Action, Thriller, Drama, Detective
- USA, UK production / 2010
- Budget: $160 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $828 322 032
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dilip Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite
Industrial spy Dominic Cobb specializes in stealing trade secrets directly from the subject’s subconscious. The dream architect is considered the best at his job, but one day he receives an unusual offer.
Tycoon Saito asks the thief not to steal, but to introduce an idea to the heir to a large corporation. In exchange for the favor, Cobb is cleared of the charges that keep him from being reunited with his children, and the spy agrees. The mission comes with high risks, as Dominic has had similar experiences in the past, and they ended badly.
Leonardo DiCaprio was the first to agree to participate in the project. There are over 500 special effects shots in the picture, for which the film deservedly won an Oscar.
The Dark Knight
- Rating IMDB – 9.0
- Genre: Sci-fi, action, thriller, crime, drama
- USA, UK production / 2008
- Budget: $185 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $1 003 045 358
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Chin Han, Nestor Carbonell, Eric Roberts
Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of the DC Comics about the dark city of Gotham continues the list of films. The new prosecutor Harvey Dent, Commissioner James Gordon and Batman struggle to rein in the underworld, but the delicate balance is upset by the appearance of the Joker.
The mad clown empties the safes of the Mafia bank – and easily gets away with making a deal with the gangsters. For killing Batman, the Joker gets half of Gotham’s illegal profits, but the city’s protector is not going to let the chaos spread.
Nolan invited Matt Damon for the role of the prosecutor Harvey Dent, but the actor refused. To get into the character of the Joker, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel for a month, developing the voice, gestures and psychology of the character.
The Prestige
- Rating IMDB – 8.5
- Genre: Thriller, sci-fi, drama, detective
- UK, USA production / 2006
- Budget: $40 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $109 676 311
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Samantha Mahurin, David Bowie, Andy Serkis, Daniel Davies
This is one of the best magician movies ever made. Two young illusionists, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, begin their artistic careers on the London stage. For the audience of the late XIX century tricks of conjurers look like a real miracle, and the friends are confident in the fame to come.
During one more performance, Robert’s wife accidentally dies and the man blames his partner for the tragedy. From that moment on, the friends’ paths diverge, and the rivalry gradually develops into a naked and dangerous feud that affects the artists’ inner circle.
The main actors took lessons from the real illusionist Ricky Jay before filming. The film is based on Priest’s novel of the same name, but Christopher and Jonathan Nolan have significantly remade the plot.
Batman Begins
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Action, sci-fi, adventure, drama
- USA, UK production / 2005
- Budget: $150 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $371 853 783
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Rutger Hauer
A young Bruce Wayne unwittingly witnessed the brutal murder of his parents, so as an adult he left town. The boy wandered around the world for a long time until he found himself in the League of Shadows, where he was helped to get rid of all inner fears.
Back in Gotham, Bruce gains access to innovative developments and makes a momentous decision. Under the guise of a frivolous playboy, Wayne puts on a Batman costume to protect the residents from criminals of all stripes.
Only 8 candidates were invited to the casting for the role of Batman, and the place went to Christian Bale. However, Christopher Nolan really liked Cillian Murphy’s performance, so he invited him to the project to create another character.
Insomnia
- Rating IMDB – 7.2
- Genre: Thriller, Drama, Detective
- USA, UK production / 2002
- Budget: $46 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $113 714 830
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Maura Tierney, Martin Donovan, Paul Dooley, Nikki Katt, Larry Holden, Jonathan Jackson, Catherine Isabel
One of Christopher Nolan’s best films will take viewers to Alaska, where experienced detectives investigate the brutal murder of a young girl. Will Dormer and Hap Eckhart quickly figure out the culprit in the death of a high school girl, but the criminal manages to get away.
During the chase, a tragedy occurs that sets off a chain of fateful coincidences. Hap’s death reflects negatively on Will, and the situation is complicated by an endless polar day. Dormer is sleep-deprived, unable to make sense of the killer’s illogical actions – and begins to make fatal mistakes.
The final version of the script Nolan wrote himself, but the credits do not list him as the author. The performers of the main roles were very different approaches to acting. For the sake of coordinated work on the set director allowed them to use their own methods.
Memento
- Rating IMDB – 8.4
- Genre: Thriller, Detective, Drama, Crime
- USA production / 2000
- Budget: $9 000 000
- Worldwide gross: $39 723 096
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantogliano, Mark Boone Jr, Russ Fega, George Fox, Stephen Tobolowsky, Harriet Sansom Harris, Thomas Lennon, Callum Keith Rennie
The last thing Leonard remembers before his trauma is the murder of his wife by an unknown assailant. A severe blow to the head follows, and waking up is met with a distorted reality. The widower decides to devote his life to finding the culprit, but the days become an endless race due to his inability to use his long-term memory.
Leonard’s limit is 15 minutes, beyond which there is failure and complete nullification of the information. The man tries to take notes, take snapshots and leave signs in tattoos, but the killer is always one step ahead.
The filming process took just under a month.
Following
- Rating IMDB – 7.5
- Genre: Thriller, Crime, Detective
- UK production / 1998
- Budget: $6 000
- Worldwide gross: $48 482
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Jeremy Theobald, Alex Howe, Lucy Russell, John Nolan, Dick Bradsell, Gillian El, Jennifer Angel, Nicholas Carlotti, Darren Ormandy, Guy Greenaway
Bill, an aspiring writer, can’t find inspiration for a new book, so he goes to the streets of London in search of ideas. Trying to discern the basis for a story, the writer furtively observes random passersby.
On the eve of his first foray, the novelist establishes clear rules about who can be watched and for how long, but gradually he breaks the boundaries. The stalking is so fascinating to Bill that he follows a man with a large gym bag without backup. The passerby notices a “tail” behind him, and a subsequent encounter leads the author into the criminal world.
In one scene, the Batman logo can be seen on the door of the apartment. It is noteworthy that a few years later Nolan will make several films about the superhero DC.
The picture was Christopher’s directorial debut.
