America's most Popular film

Examining the best films of the decades, one must look at the most popular film made in America. While most hold Citizen Kane to be America's best film, I think the true test of a film's value is in its lasting popularity. While Citizen Kane certainly has high artistic value, it lacks the huge fan base of three other classic American films.

Gone With the Wind is the highest grossing film ever made, with adjustments for inflation. Gone With the Wind is an epic romance, a classic war film, and a celebration of a lost way of life.

Casablanca is another of the most popular films. The most famous romance story ever made, Casablanca chronicles the journey of a man from callousness to sacrifice all in the name of a woman who left him.

The Godfather is an epic tale of a mafia family in post-war America. Celebrated even today by film viewers, the violent murders and family sagas that form the Godfather have stood the test of time.

As people tout new films such as Avatar as the best film ever made in America, I think the important thing to think about when declaring a film to be the best is this: Will be still be watching it in 70 years?