Best print advertisements ever

Advertising is made to sell products or services. But at it's best advertising can be so much more. It can shock, ravish, create a buzz, and even become part of our culture. Unfortunately 99,9 per cent of advertising is lousy, weak, repetitive, and downright obnoxious. But admen of today can't blame the lack of good examples. Here are some milestones of print advertising.























5. Apple
Apple recruited Gandhi, Einstein, Hitchcock, Picasso, Edison, Dalai Lama, Miles Davis, Maria Callas, and many other originals for this incredibly confident, plain, black and white campaign. But how in hell did they get all the rights?

















4. Benetton
Benetton showed penises, dying aids patient, bloody clothes of a soldier, crimson red newborn, and other shockers, and created a lot of fuss. But did these ads sell sweaters? Yes they did. Because all of a sudden everybody had an opinion about about a sweater-maker called Benetton.














3. Economist
How do you sell your product to a smart target group? By being smart.


















2. Silk cut
Where Economist used only words on a red background, Silk Cut didn't use words at all. There wasn't even a logo! You had to find the brand name from the picture yourself. Great example of creative advertising of the 80's.
























1. Lusitania
Shortly after Germans sank the ocean liner Lusitania on 1915 and killed almost 1200 people, this poster was published in USA. According to a legend one female victim was found with a baby still in her lap. So there was no need for the advertising guys to exaggerate or commercialize the story. Just paint the picture and add one single word. Needles to say the campaign was hugely successful.

Metallica's Greatest Hits

5. For Whom the Bell Tolls

4. Until it Sleeps

3. Master of Puppets

2. The Unforgiven

1. One

Best movies ever made

Here is the subject of countless debates. I just have to go by my own personal taste and ignore all those expert opinions, i.e. Citizen Kane. Newest movie of the list is from 1984, but it doesn't mean there haven't been good or interesting films since. Sin City, Lost in translation, Magnolia... they are all fine movies. But not quite top five material. And as much as I would have liked to add some films from Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong, they remain a mere curiosity... just don't make it to my absolute top 5.

5. On the waterfront (1954)

World's greatest actor in his greatest movie. "I coulda been a contender." No, he was a champion!

4. La Dolce Vita (1960)

Just the one scene alone, where gorgeous Anita Ekberg wades in Fontana di Trevi makes this Fellini classic worth watching.

3. Clockwork orange (1971)

I think this is Kubrick's best film – not Dr. Strangelove, or 2001: A Space Odyssey. A rare example where the movie is actually much better than the book it's based on. Great sets, great language.

2. The Godfather, parts 1 (1972) and 2 (1974)

Powerful saga of the Corleone mafia family. Brilliant acting, great story, great directing. Much copied and quoted, it has become a part of the modern culture.

1. Once upon a time in America – C'era una volta in America (1984)

I'm probably overusing the word "epic", but here it's needed again. Unforgettable story of Jewish gangsters. Violent, touching, very sad, full of brilliant performancs. There's no other movie where the music score accompanies the story so perfectly and beautifully, thanks to the collaboration of the two masters, Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone.

Bubbling under:

Duck Soup (1933)

If I had to add one comedy, it might have been this one. Marx Bros at their very best. Fast, furious, crazy, surreal, very funny.

Mr. Smith goes to Washington (1939)

Superbly directed by Frank Capra, this movie grabs a hold on you on the first seconds, and doesn't let go until the end.

Once upon a time in the West (1968)

...and all the other films by The Maestro.