Martin Ritt: His 20 best films

Honest, hard-working Texas rancher Homer Bannon has a conflict with his unscrupulous, selfish, arrogant, egotistical son Hud, who sank into alcoholism after accidentally killing his brother in a car crash.

In 1953, a cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand.

Instead of coming in from the Cold War, British agent Alec Leamas chooses to face another mission.

John Russell, disdained by his "respectable" fellow stagecoach passengers because he was raised by Apaches becomes their only hope for survival when they are set upon by outlaws.

In California, four couples who have bought houses near one another face problems, alcoholism, racism, promiscuity, and discrimination against lack of education, until a tragic event forces them to reassess their lives.

The oldest son of a loving and strong family of black sharecroppers comes of age in the Depression-era South after his father is imprisoned for stealing food.

In 1876 Pennsylvania, a group of Irish immigrant coal miners begin to retaliate against the cruelty of their work environment.

Accused barn burner and conman Ben Quick arrives in a small Mississippi town and quickly ingratiates himself with its richest family, the Varners.

In the 1930s, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings moves to Florida's backwaters to write in peace. She feels bothered by affectionate men, editor and confused neighbors, but soon she connects and writes The Yearling, a classic of American literature.

During the 1960s, two American expatriate jazz musicians living in Paris meet and fall in love with two American tourist girls.

A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.

Tillie dreads another blind date with Pete Seltzer, who hides his insecurities behind jokes and flirting. Though initially resistant, she gradually warms to him as their relationship develops into marriage.

The budding friendship of two NYC longshoremen is threatened by a notably repugnant co-worker.

Five Yugoslav women who consorted with the German occupiers are publicly humiliated and banished by the Yugoslav partisans but they take up arms to fend for themselves.

A young single mother and textile worker agrees to help unionize her mill despite the problems and dangers involved.

Anthony Quinn and Sophia Loren star as longtime widower Frank and recently widowed Rose, lonely hearts who discover something special in The Black Orchid, a sensitive comedy romance directed by Martin Ritt (Norma Rae, Murphy's Romance).

Travelers in the 1870s Southwest discuss a recent murder trial in which all the principals told differing stories about the events.

A struggling widow falls in love with an illiterate short-order cook whom she teaches to read and write in her kitchen each night.

Drama focusing on a family of Southern aristocrats who are trying to deal with the dissolution of their clan and the loss of its reputation, faith, fortunes, and respect.

Emma moves to a ranch with her son after a divorce and befriends the older Murphy, but things turn complicated when her ex shows up.