Analyzing the 2004 Arts & Faith Top100 produces an interesting list when you sort directors by number of entries.

Keep in mind that this list really may not mean much, since all films are not equally significant. It is based soley on the number of entries. That being said, I think it's actually a pretty good list.

Also keep in mind that it is based on 107, not 100 films, since pairs and sequels that constituted single entries in the Top100 were broken out by director to support this analysis.

FIVE FILMS
Tarkovsky (literally in a class by himself!)

FOUR FILMS
Kieslowski
Weir

THREE FILMS
Bresson
Dreyer
Jackson

TWO FILMS
Anderson (PT)
Bergman
Berri
The Dardennes
Ferrara
Kiarostami
Kurosawa
Lynch
Shyamalan
von Trier

ONE FILM
everyone else

The Tarkovsky listing is significant because it is from different films. Also, Kieslowski is a very strong 4, when you consider the Decalogue being 10 hours of film (but one entry). In my mind, that really does put him neck-and-neck with Tarkovsky.

I'd agree with the Shyamalan listing, but he may be the weakest entry on the list.

And Jackson certainly doesn't deserve to be in such exalted company, but his "3" is from the 3 LOTR films. If (as they were made as such) you count them as one film, then he drops off the list above entirely (down to the 1-film group), which is fine with me.

Well then that should be the case because LOTR is one film. If the Decalogue is one (which it makes sense that it is), then shouldn't it be a wash that LOTR counts as one?

This was probably debated to death in another thread I haven't read, right?

Yes and no. Trilogies and film pairs are entered as one listing on the Top100, where there is a strong unity among them. The Decalogue has different personnel in each episode--but, taken as a whole, is one complete work. The LOTR presents a complete unity of production, cast, direction, and other resources. The Star Wars trilogy had three different directors, and so didn't elevate Lucas into the directors list above.

But the good thing is the Three Colors films count as three in this reckoning, even if they're only listed once. And the unity of production among the TC films is stronger than the LOTR films.

Like I said, the list of directors may not necessarily mean much, except that it just so happened that some of the more respected directors on this board tended to float to the top.

Marty Scorsese deserves to be there. I forward a motion to remove M Night in favor of Saint Martin (thereby substituting Scorsese films on the list as well).

Bring it up next spring...