A Tribute to Barry Norman (1933-2017) - And Why Not?

The sad passing of film critic and journalist Barry Norman has led to a flood of tributes among his peers for someone whose gentle demeanour, encyclopedic knowledge and unassuming wit has left a legacy that will never be matched in his field in modern times. The fact that he his one of only two film critics to  have gained a certain class of celebrity themselves (Roger Ebert being the other) tells us everything about Barry Norman's contribution to cinema.
Born in 1933 to Leslie Norman – a producer and director who worked on The Cruel Sea (1953) and Dunkirk (1958) – and Elizabeth (née Crafford), who was employed in the cutting room at Ealing Studios, Norman had been a gossip columnist at the Daily Sketch and later showbusiness editor at the Daily Mail after working in journalism in South Africa.
After being made redundant he began writing film reviews for the Guardian, before landing his role on the BBC’s Film 1972, where he would stay, with interludes, until 1998.
His cosy armchair, familiar jumpers and catchphrase "and why not?" over these 26 years, along with his pleasant style , knowledge and obvious enthusiasm for his subject matter saw Norman become a household name in Britain and Ireland and even saw him parodied in Spitting Image (a real sign that you had arrived!)
His 2002 biography aptly titled "And Why Not?", tells of some of his more interesting encounters with Hollywood celebrities such as John Wayne and Robert De Niro that he may have seen eye to eye with in the past, demonstrating a principled stance behind that often diplomatic and friendly approach.
On his passing, several of his fellow film critics were at pains to point out the influence that this great man had on their careers and indeed how all of us viewed cinema.

Watching Barry Norman review films was a pleasure, an education, and an inspiration. Wit, knowledge & wry enthusiasm. He was the Master.

— Mark Kermode (@KermodeMovie) July 1, 2017

Very sad to hear that Barry Norman has left us. A great critic and a lovely, lovely man.

— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) July 1, 2017

His genteel style, approach to his craft and consideration for all is a lasting lesson from this admirable journalist and gentleman as to how all critics can treat their subjects and earn praise and respect along the way.
Below is a list of the great mans 10 favourite films:

Barry Norman’s 10 favourite films (BFI Sight and Sound poll)
1. Battleship Potemkin (1925) (Sergei Eisenstein)
2. Bringing Up Baby (1938) (Howard Hawks)
3. Citizen Kane (1941) (Orson Welles)
4. Paths of Glory (1957) (Stanley Kubrick)
5. Rashomon (1950) (Akira Kurosawa)
6. La Règle du jeu (1939) (Jean Renoir)
7. The Searchers (1956) (John Ford)
8. The Seventh Seal (1957) (Ingmar Bergman)
9. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) (Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen)
10. Some Like It Hot (1959) (Billy Wilder)