Touching, high-quality drama about a bunch of kids who discover the meaning of friendship in 1950s America - whilst on an adventure to find the body of a dead boy. Based on a Stephen King story and directed by Rob Reiner, Stand By Me is the definitive coming-of-age drama and features a wonderful performance from a very young River Phoenix. Phoenix delivers such a heartbreaking story about his abusive father in one scene that you'll find yourself crying along with him.

Judy Garland's attempt to revive her flagging career after the infamy of her dismissal from MGM in 1950 turned out to be a triumph. One of the saddest Hollywood heartbreakers of all time, the story of a hoofer (Garland) spotted by a fading star (James Mason) who helps her shoot to fame, is made all the more poignant by Garland's real life story. As she grows more famous, Mason descends deeper into alcoholism, leading to tears all round when Garland finally breaks down in her dressing room at the pain of it all.

The mother of all chick-flicks: you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love those small-town outfits. Centring on a beauty parlour, it depicts American life over a period of years via its six female characters, with an occasional nod to a male. Julia Roberts dominates the proceedings, and when her character dies, even the hardest of hearts will be moved.

King Vidor's take on Olive Higgins Prouty's novel stars Barbara Stanwyck as the title character, who starts the film a working class woman seeking upward mobility. She marries Stephen Dallas (John Boles) and they have a daughter Laurel (Anne Shirley). When Stella becomes restless and frustrated, Stephen becomes irritated by her lack of breeding, and runs off with a rich old flame. Laurel becomes the focus for Stella, and she vows that no sacrifice will be too great for her daughter. It is a vow she is forced to keep, with devastating results, and when her daughter is finally married off into a wealthy family, Stella is left outside in the cold.

Redgrave created one of those 'where were you?' moments when he won a historic fifth gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Having won his first in LA in 1984, then in Seoul and Barcelona, Redgrave famously remarked that anyone who saw him near a boat could shoot him after winning a fourth in Atlanta, in 1996. However, he was back rowing again come Sydney. What makes Redgrave's achievement even more remarkable were the odds against him. Rowing received minimal financial sponsorship for most of his career and the relentless training had taken its toll. A diabetic Redgrave wept for joy after crossing the line first and the whole nation cried too.