# Movie/books scenes that tear you up every time. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 25, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618 "2016-12-25T21:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/21 "2016-12-27T03:53:40Z")
I don’t know anyone who could get through the passage where William Mandala read’s Margay’s centuries-old letter to him without tearing up… (The Forever War, for those who don’t get the reference). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/22 "2016-12-27T04:18:24Z")
My own sure-fire tear-up is the conclusion to “_The Incredible Journey_”, the original 1960’s production (still the best), the recent one with the talking animals, and the original written story. Sure you see it coming and yeah it’s meant to tug the heartstrings and we know it but…yep, tears every time (FWIW, the book and original Disney production tells in right, IMHO). ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/23 "2016-12-27T04:19:12Z")
How about non-fiction? One that always gets me is in _The Color of Water_, when old Eddie Thompson makes the phone call to the author’s mother. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/24 "2016-12-27T05:28:10Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I don’t know anyone who could get through the passage where William Mandala read’s Margay’s centuries-old letter to him without tearing up… > (The Forever War, for those who don’t get the reference). I get it I get it!! And yes, dead on. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/25 "2016-12-27T05:36:22Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > “Hey, Boo” in the movie (To Kill a Mockingbird) had no where near the heart-rending impact that it had when you hit it for the fist time in the book. It’s a shame that so many great moments of literature are completely unknown to people who only know the films. > > I can’t even think about Bernhard Schlenk’s “The Reader” without tearing up, remembering how I sobbed at one point. And I can’t even recall at exactly what point that was. I have not seen the movie. Such a wonderful piece of literature, and I agree with you about getting the feeling across in the movie. That said, as far as novels and movies go, I think they did a decent job with the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/26 "2016-12-27T15:29:14Z")
I mean, I’m a sucker. Pretty much any film intended to emotionally manipulate the audience will make me cry. I try to make _Scrooged_, the Bill Murray adaption of a Christmas Carol, an annual Christmas tradition, but it’s been a while. When I watched it this past Christmas Day, I bawled for 15 minutes straight. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/27 "2016-12-27T16:01:33Z")
In _1776_ when John and Abigail sing _Till Then_ - it gets me every time. ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/28 "2016-12-27T16:06:15Z")
Yes to _Scrooged_, especially when Calvin speaks at the very end. Yes to Sally Field’s speech and breakdown at the funeral in _Steele Magnolias_. Leonard being reunited with his mother after first waking up in _Awakenings_. Rudy getting cheered on by parents and friends in the final game in _Rudy_. “Who’s the wild man now!!” Dory asking Marlin not to leave her alone at the end of _Finding Nemo_. ---
**Author:** ![PAjoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pajoe/32/58_2.png) [@PAjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PAjoe)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/29 "2016-12-27T16:08:59Z")
When Forrest Gump meets his son and asks “Is he smart or is he like me?” ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/30 "2016-12-27T16:09:50Z")
“Suuuuuuuupermannnn!” ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/31 "2016-12-27T16:51:56Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > “Suuuuuuuupermannnn!” Darn you, MacTech, now I can’t see the screen. ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/32 "2016-12-27T17:17:40Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > “Suuuuuuuupermannnn!” Could you please explain this one? I feel like I should know it, but honestly, it’s not ringing a bell. I know its not from any of the \*Superman \*films, because they never had any character screaming his name in an emotional scene, so please, enlighten me. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/33 "2016-12-27T17:19:52Z")
> [@Dante\_G](#): > > Could you please explain this one? I feel like I should know it, but honestly, it’s not ringing a bell. I know its not from any of the \*Superman \*films, because they never had any character screaming his name in an emotional scene, so please, enlighten me. One of Brad Byrd’s best: [The Iron Giant.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4dT2eBWI2M) He’s not a gun. (um, major climactic movie moment spoiler.) ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/34 "2016-12-27T17:23:44Z")
Ah yes, _The Iron Giant_. I’ve only seen it once years ago, so I probably should watch it again. I know its a classic, but it always eludes me, so I’ll have to seek it out more intently. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/35 "2016-12-27T17:29:48Z")
The wedding of Amy Pond in the concluding episode of season 5 of the new _Doctor Who_. Karen Gillian saying: Something old, something new, something borrowed…something _blue_. …just slays me every time. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/36 "2016-12-27T17:41:23Z")
How are we 35 post into this thread and no one has mentioned the ending to _Where the Red Fern Grows_? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/37 "2016-12-27T17:48:31Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > “Suuuuuuuupermannnn!” Thank you, folks–I don’t feel so sissy about tearing up at that scene, now. (_Vin Diesel_ made me cry? What’s gone wrong with the world?) I am THE total sucker for scenes like this: “Toy Story 3”: The toys are about to be incinerated at the dump and they all cease struggling and join hands, accepting their fate. PSYCH! PIG SAVES THE DAY! ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/38 "2016-12-27T17:56:00Z")
“We … are … Groot.” _Guradians of the Galaxy_ ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/39 "2016-12-27T18:19:16Z")
I am twisted in that I can watch any flavor or intensity of human suffering without so much as a pause in the popcorn ingestion process. Give me an animal with a paper cut or a headache, though, and I must avert my moist eyes. So let’s talk about [Eight Below](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eight_below). It’s a movie, based on a true story, about an Antarctic expedition that does not go as planned. The protagonist - Paul Walker - at one point must abandon his team of sled dogs and seek safety on his own (I can’t even remember the details). Anyway, he leaves them each chained to a stake on the blizzardy frozen tundra (not Green Bay); the camera lingers as each pup watches their master walk away. I will never watch that movie again. mmm ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618/40 "2016-12-27T18:33:08Z")
Let’s see. We have _Schindler’s List_, when Schindler says, “I could have done more.” We have _Outlander_ (the book) when Claire realizes she has to leave Jamie and feels her heart break, “with a small sound, like the snap of a flower stem.” We have _Outlander_ (the Starz series) when Claire sings a song to her miscarried daughter, then gives the baby to her friend Louise for burial. We have the scene in the original _Law and Order_, when they are turning off the machines for Adam Schiff’s wife. The heart stops, and he doesn’t cry…he just gives this little whimper. _How to Train Your Dragon 2_, after Toothless kills Stoick. I got millions of these, guys. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-books-scenes-that-tear-you-up-every-time/775618.md?page=3)