20 Great Films You Won't Believe Aren't On IMDb's Top 250

Rating: 8.1

The thing which makes this one so frustrating is that it could easily have got onto the Top 250; an 8.1 will generally get a film onto it. Unfortunately, Rome, Open City doesn't have enough votes to qualify, so yet another important film that changed cinema is left to the wayside.

A key film of Italian Neorealism, the influence and importance of this one cannot be overstated. This kick-started one of European cinema's foremost movements, which helped to bring a more realistic style into cinema. The creative shockwaves caused by both Rome, Open City and the movement it inspired still influence film-making throughout the film world today. Unlike some important historical films, this has aged extremely well and is still a very engaging bit of cinema.

Thanks to astonishing acting, a revolutionary narrative style and director Roberto Rossellini's brilliantly crafted visuals, this is still a gripping and powerful viewing today. It's an absolute must for cinema lovers and film students in particular.

Where It Should Be: #100-#150