The Writers Guild of America published this list of the 101 Greatest Screenplays Ever Written. Many of these screenplays are available on this site and others. I personally would like to read each and every one of these scripts, so I’ll do my best to make each of these scripts available on LA Screenwriter.
According to the WGA, the top ten scripts of all time are:
8. Network
6. Annie Hall
4. Citizen Kane
3. Chinatown
1. Casablanca
It’s interesting that #10-#2 have famously specific writer credits, and Casablanca was, arguably, crowd sourced, with 5 credited writers and (I’ve heard) there were additional uncredited rewrites.
Also funny to see Annie Hall on there, considering how different the script was from the final film.
And no “The Sting?” I’ve often heard that described as the “Perfect Screenplay.”
Still, Casablanca contains my favorite piece of dialog ever written:
Captain Renault: What in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.
Cor! What a feast!
Utmost Appreciation!
