Metropolis, Germany, 1927, 120 min. Starring Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Frölich, Directed by Fritz Lang. A young man of privilege finds himself enthralled by the plight of the working class of the sprawling city in which he lives and joins their cause. The symbolism is less than subtle – the elite live up in the clouds in their skyscrapers while the poor workers toil beneath ground level – but this is still the most influential science fiction film ever made. The art design of Lang's city is still jaw-dropping, the film's vision has inspired just about every cinematic dystopia since conceived, and Brigitte Helm dressed as the robot Maria is one of the most famous sci-fi images in the world.

The General, USA, 1927, 74 min. Starring Buster Keaton, Marion Mack. Directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman. Keaton's wild comedy, based on a true story, about a Civil War era man trying to hold on to the only two things he loves in life – his girl…and his train! Exciting and hilarious.

Sunrise, USA, 1927, 110 min. Starring George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingstone. Directed by F. W. Murnau. Murnau's first American film depicts a farmer torn between his wife and a conniving woman from the city. Simple yet powerful tale of deceit and treachery.

The Cameraman, USA, 1928, 69 min. Starring Buster Keaton, Marceline Day. Directed by Edward Sedgwick. Once again Buster is out to impress a woman, this time playing a young man working as a street photographer who strives to get a job shooting Hearst newsreels to get closer to the girl who assigns the news tips. As per usual, Keaton turns the character’s incompetence into comedy gold while simultaneously showing the audience a little something about the way he himself constructed his films.

The Passion Of Joan Of Arc, France, 1928, 117 min. Starring Maria Falconetti, Eugene Sylvain, Maurice Schutz. Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. Based on the actual trial transcripts, Dreyer directs Falconetti through a stunning performance as France's most famous saint.