IMO its hard to beat Eyes Wide Shut for an opening scene (i.e. Nicole Kidman gettin’ butt nekid (literally!))
George Lucas knew the power of that opening scene in Star Wars. He actually had to pay some ridiculous fine ($50,000 I think) to some film union/regulatory group in order to not have to show the credits at the begining of the film.
Beat me to it. Great scene.
I also really liked the opening scene of the low-budget Canadian thriller Cube.
If you’ve seen the movie, you know what i mean. If you haven’t, i won’t give it away.
Star Wars without a doubt. Leia’s cruiser flying across the screen being shot at was enough, but then there was the Star Destroyer that just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger - all set to John Williams’ Wagnerian brass. I think that’s when we all knew we were in for a good ride. At the time it was freakin’ WOW, man.
Yes, I do remember that Lucas had to do some negotiating and pull out his checkbook to not have opening credits. That really helped the movie, though.
Sunset Boulevard was pretty spectacular.
And a little known B horror film, Mother’s Day has an opening scene that will send friends running from your living room when you rent that puppy.
The long long single shot roam around the streets that starts off Orson Welles’ Touch Of Evil.
Star Wars. Nothing comes close.
Since no one has mentioned Goldmember the last of the Austin Powers films, I will. Opening is a typical James Bond type chase scene. Motorcycles, helocopters…the Shaguar…end of scene has Austin remove his helmet to reveal it’s Tom Cruise. Kevin Spacey as Dr. Evil, and Danny Devito as mini-me. It was the best opening of a film in a long time.
Surprised no mention of The Matrix. From the phone call/computer screen through the garbage truck smashing the phone booth, that scene perfectly sets the tone for the movie.
I was very impressed with the opener of The Two Towers. It’s one of my favorite scenes in the whole trilogy.
As a Christian, it reminded me of the Christus Victor theory of the atonement. “He descended…” and took names while at it.
The opening sequence of WHITE HEAT, with Jimmy Cagney. It’s a train robbery, there’s not a word of dialog (perhaps not music, IIRC) until Cagney pulls his gun on the engineer and says, “Hold it right there!” … but it’s incredibly compelling.
I say, chaps!
What about that Bond film where James is making love to a Russian beauty, then has to nip orf smartish, chased by skiing gunmen, then he skis over a precipice…
:eek:
…only to reveal he has sensibly packed a Union Jack parachute? 
Unfortunately, the trilogy is all downhill from there.
nitpick: Gravestone is in Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.
As for my Best Opening Scenes, it would probably come from a Bond movie…
Honestly, “Tommy Boy.” Missing the bus, running through yards and getting chased by dogs, running into a glass door: BOOMP–“SON of a…”
Priceless.
Another vote for Touch of Evil. I believe it’s the longest single take in film history. (Not sure, though.) Charlton Heston must have been sweating bullets during the last few seconds. Please don’t let me mess this up, Please don’t let me mess this up.
Serentiy has an incredible opener, truly, but you’ll have to wait until September to see it.
Amazon Women on the Moon, the opening skit with Arsenio Hall having one hell of a time with a wrong number…man, that’s just good stuff right there.
I think the opening sequence of 2001: A Space Odyssey ranks as one of the best in movie history. The time spent with apes on the Savannah was crucial to the movie’s development. The scene where the ape that had just clubbed another to death in the fight for control of the watering hole tossed his bone/weapon into the air and screamed in triumph is brilliant. The rotating club that becomes the moon shuttle is the most amazing and perfect segue in film history.
While perhaps not the greatest opening scene of all time, the first few minutes of Shaft set the stage nicely, following our hero through an ordinary stroll through the “mean streets” of Manhattan, interspersed with the film credits, while one of the best movie theme songs of all time plays on top of everything.
Patton
You should all be ashamed of yourselves for not thinking about this movie. Not only is it gloriously shot in 70mm to trick you into thinking that there’s actually a man up there where the screen is supposed to be, bringing down the house with his speech, but it’s a great lesson in movie economy: quick shots over Patton’s brow, medals, boots, and voila! You’ve established the character.
Pretty good movie, too. 