# Scenes in movies that 'make it' **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 3, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922 "2009-04-03T23:29:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/1 "2009-04-03T23:29:20Z")
Inspired by: [quote=Bosstone] I’ve come to live for that bit at the beginning during their wedding, where she says something that ends with “no matter what happens.” While saying it, she scrunches up her nose in the most adorable way. I watch the movie just for that and for Bob’s “I’m not…I’m not strong enough,” at the end… Oh, oh! And Dash’s little giggle when he finds out he can run on water! Those three moments make the movie for me. [quote] I’d add “Superman” from the Iron Giant, and “That wasn’t flying, that was falling, WITH STYLE!” from Toy Story. What movie moments ‘do it’ for ya? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/2 "2009-04-03T23:45:47Z")
This is from a TV show, the recent Battlestar Galactica finale. When Bill Adama is sitting on the hillside by the grave of his loved one, he says: \*\*“I laid out the cabin. It’s gonna have an easternly view. You should see the light we get here. When the sun comes from behind the mountains, it’s almost heavenly. Reminds me of you.” \*\* Makes me weep every time and is the top moment in an amazing show. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/3 "2009-04-04T00:21:03Z")
Do you mean great scenes that justify an entire movie, or just scenes that pack an emotional wallop? If the latter, too numerous to mention. But if the former, I’d say the hall of mirrors climax of **The Lady from Shanghai** is one of the best examples. The movie as a whole is kind of a sloppy mess, but that scene is a classic. The visual aspect has been referenced, copied, and parodied many times, but you have to see it in its original context to really appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/4 "2009-04-04T00:26:50Z")
How about scenes with SUCH an emotional wallop you remember the movies for those scenes DESPITE all the other movies you’ve seen? (Pick a top five) ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/5 "2009-04-04T01:00:09Z")
Usually when I think about what scenes “make” a movie, I’m thinking about what scenes I watch a certain movie for. They may or may not have an emotional wallop, although since that’s what movies usually try for they overlap pretty often. For example, _Ocean’s Twelve_. It’s a decent enough film, though noticeably weaker than _Eleven_ and _Thirteen_. There’s one scene, however, that absolutely makes it worth watching, and that’s the laser dance at the end. I’ll sometimes track it down on Youtube just to watch that scene. In the live-action _Speed Racer_, the ninja fight scene makes the whole movie worthwhile. (Not that it’s actually a bad movie, it’s tons of fun to watch. The ninja fight scene is what “makes it,” though.) ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/6 "2009-04-04T03:26:57Z")
I can watch the final showdown of **The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly** over and over again. Not only is the soundtrack perfect for the scene, but the three-way tension building up slowly is awesome. Makes the film. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/7 "2009-04-04T04:23:35Z")
The scenes at the end of Back to the Future I and III where the DeLorean and then Doc’s train take off for the first times bring manly tears to my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/8 "2009-04-04T05:09:18Z")
The saloon scene at the end of Unforgiven. “I’ll see you in hell William Munny.” “Yeah.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/9 "2009-04-04T06:25:33Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Do you mean great scenes that justify an entire movie, or just scenes that pack an emotional wallop? If the latter, too numerous to mention. > > But if the former, I’d say the hall of mirrors climax of **The Lady from Shanghai** is one of the best examples. The movie as a whole is kind of a sloppy mess, but that scene is a classic. The visual aspect has been referenced, copied, and parodied many times, but you have to see it in its original context to really appreciate it. First good hall of mirrors scene and still the best. Damn this is a good pick. Allister Bannister with his snakelike limp and two canes is what makes it. “I’m aiming at you.” Opening scene from _Touch of Evil_ Chariot race in Ben-Hur The only good thing about Attack of the Clones was Yoda’s beatdown of Dooku ---
**Author:** ![Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_The_Heavy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/10 "2009-04-04T11:04:29Z")
That one scene from _Downfall._ Yes, [that one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxCNCDWaWyE&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/11 "2009-04-04T11:09:51Z")
Orson Wells in the ferris wheel in the Third Man: “You know what the fellow said—in Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace—and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/12 "2009-04-04T16:23:52Z")
Enemy Mine “When in the fullness of time, Zamis brought its own child before the council, the name of Willis Dawitch was added to the line of Gereba.” ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/13 "2009-04-04T16:35:15Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > How about scenes with SUCH an emotional wallop you remember the movies for those scenes DESPITE all the other movies you’ve seen? (Pick a top five) I don’t think I can make a top five, but the car scene in Chasing Amy will probably stay with me forever. Yeah, I know. I don’t care ! 😛 > [@](#): > > I can watch the final showdown of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly over and over again. Not only is the soundtrack perfect for the scene, but the three-way tension building up slowly is awesome. Makes the film. Huh ? Interesting - I thought the scene lost much of its appeal on further viewings, once you know Tuco’s gun is empty. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/14 "2009-04-04T19:09:57Z")
There is one incredibly horrible movie **Shark Attack 3: Megalodon** that is a complete mess. But it has one line that makes it all worthwhile. It’s known as “THE LINE.” It brings an automatic WTF??? to anyone watching the movie unaware. I can’t repeat it here, but it’s in the IMDB Quotes section for the film. You’ll know what it is. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/15 "2009-04-04T19:17:55Z")
Barry Guiler to Roy Neary (who cannot hear him): “B’Bye!” (Seconding) Bob Parr: “I’m not strong enough.” “‘Don’t you leave him, Samwise Gamgee.’ And I don’t intend to.” “You’re Dale Turner. You’re too good for this shit.” “Ship … out of danger?” ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/16 "2009-04-04T19:18:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > There is one incredibly horrible movie **Shark Attack 3: Megalodon** that is a complete mess. But it has one line that makes it all worthwhile. > > It’s known as “THE LINE.” It brings an automatic WTF??? to anyone watching the movie unaware. > > I can’t repeat it here, but it’s in the IMDB Quotes section for the film. You’ll know what it is. Roughly half of those brought a WTF? Which one? Nevermind, saw it on youtube. That guy is smooth. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/17 "2009-04-04T20:06:59Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I can watch the final showdown of **The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly** over and over again. Not only is the soundtrack perfect for the scene, but the three-way tension building up slowly is awesome. Makes the film. > [@Kobal2](#): > > Huh ? Interesting - I thought the scene lost much of its appeal on further viewings, once you know Tuco’s gun is empty. [spoiler]Tuco and Angel Eyes are nervous and shifty, glancing back and forth because they don’t know where the danger is coming from. But watch Blondie. He keeps his eyes to his right because he knows there’s only one threat. That’s one of the things that makes the scene brilliant. The surprise shouldn’t be a surprise; it’s all right there in Clint’s eyes. You have to watch it at least twice to appreciate it.[/spoiler] Good call on _Chasing Amy_, too. The only problem with that movie is that the climax comes about halfway through. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/18 "2009-04-04T22:11:39Z")
In The Color Purple, when the sisters reunite. The Big Blue, when she holds up the heart monitor ticker tape. Stranger then Fiction when he gives her “flours”. And when she watches him play guitar. The Matrix, when he sees the world in green code. Delicatessen, when the springs creak. Rescuers Down Under, the waterfall flight. Serenity, the ship repairs. Or Mal’s speech. Love actually, the wedding “orchestra”. Get Real, the coffee vs tea conversation, and the awards speech. Beautiful Thing, the dance at the end. Home at the End of the World, at the cemetery, and on the roof. My Own Private Idaho, two funerals. Shortbus, the marching band. Being John Malkovitch, John enters his own brain. Fried Green Tomatoes, the story of Ruth. Dark Crystal…actually this one is just one amazing scene after another. ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/19 "2009-04-04T22:37:55Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Orson Wells in the ferris wheel in the Third Man: “You know what the fellow said—in Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace—and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” This is surely the most quotable scene in _The Third Man_, but it doesn’t “make” the film, does it? Sequences like Welles’s entrance, the sewer chase or the shot of Alida Valli doing the long walk at the end are surely almost just as iconic. Never mind the zither theme. It’d still be one of the finest films ever made even if Holly never went anywhere near the damn Ferris wheel. [QUOTE=The Second Stone] Opening scene from Touch of Evil [/QUOTE] Similarly, not even the best extended tracking shot in the film. ---
**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:** [April 4, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922/20 "2009-04-04T22:50:53Z")
> [@bonzer](#): > > This is surely the most quotable scene in _The Third Man_, but it doesn’t “make” the film, does it? Sequences like Welles’s entrance, the sewer chase or the shot of Alida Valli doing the long walk at the end are surely almost just as iconic. Never mind the zither theme. It’d still be one of the finest films ever made even if Holly never went anywhere near the damn Ferris wheel. Well, when I rode that Ferris wheel in Vienna, that was the quote I was trying to remember when I got off. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-in-movies-that-make-it/491922.md?page=2)