Okay, here are descriptions for several classic English-language films, written in English. These are concise and aim to capture the essence of the story:
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Casablanca (1942)
"In occupied Casablanca, Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate running a nightclub, must confront his past when he reluctantly aids his former lover, Ilsa Lund, and her husband, Victor Laszlo, who are fleeing the Nazis." -
Gone with the Wind (1939)
"Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, the film follows Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong Southern belle, as she struggles to preserve her family's wealth and love for Ashley Wilkes amidst war, poverty, and betrayal." -
The Godfather (1972)
"The powerful and ruthless Don Vito Corleone rules the New York City mafia, but his son Michael, initially reluctant to get involved, is drawn into the family business following a brutal attack on his father." -
Psycho (1960)
"After a botched robbery and a faked suicide, a young woman named Marion Crane flees to a remote motel run by the enigmatic Norman Bates, whose life is shattered by the arrival of his mother." -
Citizen Kane (1941)
"A brilliant newspaper tycoon, Charles Foster Kane, rises from humble beginnings to achieve immense wealth and power in Hollywood, only to find his life crumbling as he grapples with solitude, greed, and the loss of his loved ones." -
West Side Story (1961)
"A modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, set in the 1950s New York City gang wars. The rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks leads to tragic consequences for the young lovers, Tony and Maria, caught in the crossfire." -
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
"Aboard a mission to Jupiter, the crew of the spaceship Discovery finds a mysterious monolith that triggers a series of bizarre events, forcing the crew to confront humanity's origins and potential future, guided by the intelligent computer HAL 9000." -
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
"T.E. Lawrence, a British officer, becomes embroiled in the turbulent politics and conflicts of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I, seeking to unite the warring tribes." -
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
"In the chaotic world of 1920s Hollywood, a talented but unlucky composer and a determined actress must overcome studio interference, personal heartbreak, and the technical challenges of sound films to achieve their dreams on the musical stage." -
Schindler's List (1993)
"During World War II, German industrialist Oskar Schindler uses his wealth and influence to save the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees by employing them in his factories, despite the dangers and moral compromises involved." -
Forrest Gump (1994)
"Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ but a kind heart, inadvertently becomes involved in some of the most significant historical events of the 20th century in the United States, from the Vietnam War to the Watergate scandal." -
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
"Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, is whisked away to the magical Land of Oz by a twister. To return home, she must seek the aid of the Wizard to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West."
These descriptions provide a good overview. Let me know if you'd like descriptions of other specific classic films!
