Clerks, Purple Rain And More Added to Naitonal Film Registry

You can add Kevin Smith and Prince to the list of people who have films in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Variety reports that Clerks, Purple Rain, Amadeus, and Sleeping Beauty are among the 25 films addd this year to the registry of “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant films.

The yearly list of films, which always numbers 25, become part of the Library and guarantees their preservation under the National Film Preservation Act. This year’s full list can be seen below and also include Gaslight, Platoon, Old Yeller, and Coal Miner’s Daughter.

“The National Film Registry has become an important record of American history, culture and creativity,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “Unlike many other honors, the registry is not restricted to a time, place or genre. It encompasses 130 years of the full American cinematic experience – a virtual Olympiad of motion pictures. With the support of Congress, the studios and other archives, we are ensuring that the nation’s cinematic history will be around for generations to come.”

The registry now contains 775 films spanning from 1903 to 2003. Purple Rain director Albert Magnoli said, “I am deeply honored that Purple Rain has been selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry in 2019. All of us strived to create a film that would capture the attention of what we believed at the time was a small audience. None of us expected this longevity. We simply worked hard every day to get it right, and this honor is a testament to the music, story and characters that were created by all of us so many years ago.”

The full list of this year’s entries are:

1. Amadeus (1984)
2. Becky Sharp (1935)
3. Before Stonewall (1984)
4. Body and Soul (1925)
5. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
6. Clerks (1994)
7. Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
8. Emigrants Landing at Ellis Island (1903)
9. Employees Entrance (1933)
10. Fog of War (2003)
11. Gaslight (1944)
12. George Washington Carver at Tuskegee Institute (1937)
13. Girlfriends (1978)
14. I Am Somebody (1970)
15. Last Waltz, The (1978)
16. My Name Is Oona (1969)
17. A New Leaf (1971)
18. Old Yeller (1957)
19. The Phenix City Story (1955)
20. Platoon (1986)
21. Purple Rain (1984)
22. Real Women Have Curves (2002)
23. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
24. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
25. Zoot Suit (1981)