# Greatest Opening Scene in a Movie \[One More Time\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 13, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771 "2012-05-13T13:46:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/1 "2012-05-13T13:46:47Z")
In just over a week (07-23-2005, 03:19 PM to 07-31-2005 06:13 PM) this old thread [Greatest Opening Scene Of A Film](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326900) got 105 Replies and 4,249 Views. There are more than likely other resurrections of the idea since then. Even so, much time has passed and many movies have been made with outstanding opening scenes. I have not yet read that entire thread and I know I must have posted in it, but my first thought on seeing that title today was the opening of [Saving Private Ryan (1998)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/) which may be among those listed before. What’s your choice? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/2 "2012-05-13T14:03:33Z")
After a bit more searching I found [Most Bad Ass Opening Scenes to a Movie](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=522329) that got 127 posts between 06-25-2009, 11:21 AM and 07-03-2009, 01:32 AM. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/3 "2012-05-13T15:43:51Z")
Then there is this one: [Great Opening in Film](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=426273), from 2007. So we are over-due, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/4 "2012-05-13T16:03:49Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > I have not yet read that entire thread and I know I must have posted in it, but my first thought on seeing that title today was the opening of [Saving Private Ryan (1998)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/) which may be among those listed before. I presume you’re actually thinking of the \*second \*scene in SPR. The [opening scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBt1W8wm4AM), the old man visiting the military graveyard, is nothing special. Lots of people forget it even exists. I would disqualify this as being a great opening scene. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Nothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f04885/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/5 "2012-05-13T16:21:48Z")
At risk of not being very creative I think the overfly of the star destroyer in Star Wars really can’t be beat. You’re extra lucky if you saw it reshot for IMAX in the special effects doc. What a rush! I’ll also go with The Matrix. Seeing bullet time for the first time, especially when its a hot chick kicking ass, really got me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/6 "2012-05-13T16:27:50Z")
As mentioned in the other threads-[_Joe Vs. The Volcano_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytS4yFM4Oxw). Also, the rifle drill sequence that opens _A Few Good Men._ ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/7 "2012-05-13T16:33:06Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I presume you’re actually thinking of the \*second \*scene in SPR. The [opening scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBt1W8wm4AM), the old man visiting the military graveyard, is nothing special. Lots of people forget it even exists. I would disqualify this as being a great opening scene. That’s very true, and was pointed out in one of those older threads. The D-Day action was what I meant, and I have yet to see any battle sequence to come even close. And if I strain my brain I may be able to come up with an even more impressive scene than it. Some of the James Bond openers are pretty hard to ignore. For the record, I invite other links to similar threads in the past. If nothing else this thread can serve as a mini-directory for the topic. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/8 "2012-05-13T16:42:18Z")
As I mentioned in another thread, my all-time favorite is the [opening scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwusCDRiDwE) of **Pulp Fiction.** From “Forget it…too risky” to the opening riffs of “Miserlou”, you knew you were in for quite a ride. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/9 "2012-05-13T16:47:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > As I mentioned in another thread, my all-time favorite is the [opening scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwusCDRiDwE) of **Pulp Fiction.** From “Forget it…too risky” to the opening riffs of “Miserlou”, you knew you were in for quite a ride. Notice the background at 3:23. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/10 "2012-05-13T16:49:55Z")
That was something I caught the _second_ time I saw the movie. Trying to put it all in linear order… ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/11 "2012-05-13T16:53:46Z")
The White House scene from X-2 was great. Really exciting and put you in the mood to watch mutants fight. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/12 "2012-05-13T17:15:39Z")
I’m sticking with my answer from the first thread: the opening scene from _Once Upon a Time in the West_. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/13 "2012-05-13T17:32:23Z")
**Patton** **Who Framed Roger Rabbit** ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/14 "2012-05-13T18:11:17Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Notice the background at 3:23. Awesome! I must have seen that movie 10 times, but I never saw that. Another vote for Star Wars - together with the music, especially, even if it’s ripped off note for note from Holst’s “Mars”. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/15 "2012-05-13T18:15:08Z")
The no cut opening shot of Touch of Evil. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/16 "2012-05-13T18:23:43Z")
[The Way of the Gun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xsaMcw69D8). NSFW, but fucking hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/17 "2012-05-13T18:24:44Z")
A thick fog fills the screen. We hear the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Two figures emerge from the mist. One of them is banging together two halfs of a coconut. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/18 "2012-05-13T18:50:05Z")
My favorite: > [@](#): > > ``` > I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your Senior > > ``` > > Drill Instructor. From now on, you will speak > only when spoken to, and the first and last > words out of your filthy sewers will be “Sir!” > Do you maggots understand that? > > ``` > RECRUITS > Sir, yes, sir! > > HARTMAN > Bullshit! I can't hear you. Sound off like you got a pair. > > RECRUITS > Sir, yes, sir! > > HARTMAN > If you ladies leave my island, if you survive > recruit training ... you will be a weapon, you > will be a minister of death, praying for war. > But until that day you are pukes! You're the > lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even > human fucking beings! You are nothing but > unorganized grabasstic pieces of amphibian shit! > > Because I am hard, you will not like me. But > the more you hate me, the more you will > learn. I am hard, but I am fair! There is no > racial bigotry here! I do not look down on > niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you > are all equally worthless! And my orders are > to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack > the gear to serve in my beloved Corps! Do > you maggots understand that? > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/19 "2012-05-13T22:20:26Z")
_2001: A Space Odyssey,_ with _Also sprach Zarathustra_ playing in the background as the apes discover that monolith ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771/20 "2012-05-13T22:52:21Z")
Times have really changed. In those older threads, hardly anyone was posting any youtube links, in the present thread most people do. Makes a thread like this so much more enjoyable! My two cents: [Clerks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUq46apWsM4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-opening-scene-in-a-movie-one-more-time/621771.md?page=2)