The Five Most Influential Filmmakers in American History

As we assembled our list of the top 100 influential figures in American history, we asked critic David Thomson whom he sees as America’s most influential filmmakers. Here are his Top Five:

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• The 100 Most Influential Influential Figures in American History
• The Five Most Influential Filmmakers, selected by David Thomson
• The Five Most Influential Musicians, selected by Terry Teachout
• The Five Most Influential Critics, selected by Robert Messenger
• The Five Most Influential Architects, selected by Michael J. Lewis
• The Five Most Influential Poets, selected by Christian Wiman
• The 33 Most Influential Living Americans
• About the List
• In Their Words