AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIES

LOS ANGELES Calif. - The American Film Institute (AFI) tonight announced the 100 greatest American movies of all time, as selected by a blue-ribbon panel of leaders from across the film community.

Voted the number one movie was CITIZEN KANE, Orson Welles' 1941 classic, which he directed, produced, wrote and starred in at the age of 25. The rest of the top ten, in order, are: CASABLANCA (#2), THE GODFATHER (#3), GONE WITH THE WIND (#4), LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (#5), THE WIZARD OF OZ (#6), THE GRADUATE (#7), ON THE WATERFRONT (#8), SCHINDLER'S LIST (#9) and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (#10).

"This is an exciting moment in American film history," said AFI Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg. "As the end of this century approaches and we reflect on its defining achievements, among the most powerful and successful is, without question, the motion picture. Through the collective judgment of leaders from across the American film community, from both in front of and behind the camera, AFI has identified 100 movies which set the standard and mark the excellence of the first century of American cinema. Movies are an intensely personal experience, and it's certain that this list will generate a broad range of opinion and discussion. AFI welcomes this dialogue and hopes to achieve an increased regard, respect and appreciation for this great American art form."

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies is an 18-month celebration that began last November when AFI invited more than 1,500 leaders from across the American film community - screenwriters, directors, actors, producers, cinematographers, editors, executives, film historians and critics, among them - to choose from a list of 400 nominated films compiled by AFI and select the 100 greatest American movies. The nominated films were all made in the first 100 years of American cinema (1896-1996). Movies produced after 1996 were not included.

The top 100 movies were unveiled during a special three-hour program broadcast tonight on CBS Television, produced by Gary Smith. Next week, Turner Network Television (TNT) will begin airing 10 one hour specials, produced by Mel Stuart and Richard Schickel, one broadcast each Tuesday night for 10 consecutive weeks, providing an in-depth look as to why these 100 movies are considered the greatest of all time. In addition, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will air a cable festival this fall that features many of the movies. And the 100 films will be available in videostores across the nation as part of this special celebration, with labels designating these films as part of AFI's 100 greatest list.