Brow Beat

Watch a Moving Tribute to the Film Greats We Lost in 2014

Robin Williams

Robin Williams.

Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Every December, “in memoriam” retrospectives abound, a somber reminder of all of the famous figures we lost in the past year. And every year, no one does a better job than Turner Classic Movies. Its annual video montage has become a staple of the classic movie channel, with a very simple template: Images and scenes of cinematic greats paired with an artsy backdrop and a reflective ballad.

Without the time constraints of the Oscars—and presumably none of that ceremony’s accompanying icky politics—TCM’s remembrance resonates more fully than the academy’s. It’s incredibly thorough: The expected legends are included, of course (Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joan Rivers, Ruby Dee, and more), but so are some overlooked stars, including Juanita Moore (Imitation of Life), Keiko Awaji (Stray Dog), and Brian G. Hutton (Kelly’s Heroes). It’s beautifully executed again this year, set to “All I Want,” by Kodaline. Don’t be surprised if you’re a little misty-eyed by the video’s end.