BellaOnline Forums TV and Movies Classic Films What makes a film a classic?

I posted an article about what I think a classic film is. Read it and tell us what you think makes a film a classic.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31765.asp

My opinion is that the script is the king in making a classic film. Without a decent, memorable and most importantly, quotable script, a good film can only become classic in it's genre, rather than a general 'classic film'.
For example, Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Shawshank Redemption and Taxi Driver are all true classics and most people could quote them. If the script is poor, but the direction is great, then only a genre fan is going to remember it in years to come.

Yeah, I agree. We (my family)have been fighting about what should be a classic and what shouldn't be. We can't agree on some of the ones that I think are more genre classics because they are huge fans of the movies.

I agree that script is #1. Just look at all the posts on "What is your favorite quote from a movie".

BUT, if you have [censored] actors & directors, then its worth nada.

Could you imagine someone with the personality of Lisa Kudrow delivering Sally Field's lines in Steel Magnolias

I mean come on! There is just not going to be the same impact.