Classic films where the first 10-15 minutes might be the best/among the best scene

[Popcorn_Bliss]

When putting together my "memorable song opening" selections, I also got to thinking how some classic films have an opening scene or two that is not only a good beginning but arguably at the top of the movie's very best scenes.

Which ones come to mind for you?

I can cite these few as fulfilling that distinction...

APOCALYPSE NOW 1979
From the surreal dream-like haze of "The End" to the scene where the officers/intelligence is informing Willard of his mission, I think the first 15 minutes of the film is possibly my favorite part.

THE EXORCIST 1973
The irony here is that some have been known to question the long introduction of Father Merrin at the archeological dig in Iraq. I actually think it is the whole basis of the film! It draws a curious contrast to what we will encounter back in Georgetown and offers a symbolic framework to what will happen, what has happened once before, and why "the exorcist" will later become, well, the focus of the picture.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW 1971
The film is full of great scenes and drifts along slowly and wonderfully, yet something about the dust-blown streets and easy set-up make the first 15 or so minutes my favorite part of the film.

[Coenskubrick]

Up
Gravity

[AKORIS]

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

[Abby is Q]

Raiders of the Lost Arc
Halloween

[Batman1980]

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, once it becomes considered a classic.

[DanTheMan]

Inglorious Basterds

[Rich65]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture
The beginning scene with the Klingons is awesome and Jerry Goldsmiths music was perfect for the scene.

[davidson]

Godfather part 1

[Germanicus]

Gladiator

[Moviefan2k4]

I love the beginning to The Sound of Music, with Maria on the hillside followed by the locations shots during the credits. The whole film is great, but that opening really takes you into the story's world. Another pick would be the ticking clocks from Back to the Future, followed by Marty ruining the speaker and Doc's phone call. And of course, who could forget the hilarious cartoon opening, of Who Framed Roger Rabbit; its pure brilliance.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Rich65

Star Trek: The Motion Picture
The beginning scene with the Klingons is awesome and Jerry Goldsmiths music was perfect for the scene.

With due respect, I can't stand The Motion(less) Picture; its easily the worst of the original ten films. Yes, I said it: even Nemesis is better. The only reason I own the first film is because it was part of the 6-film set...but I've had it probably 3 years, and have watched it twice.

[SororityRow]

Screams opening with Drew Barrymore.

[Rich65]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

With due respect, I can't stand The Motion(less) Picture; its easily the worst of the original ten films. Yes, I said it: even Nemesis is better. The only reason I own the first film is because it was part of the 6-film set...but I've had it probably 3 years, and have watched it twice.

That's your opinion, Funny you picked The Sound of Music which was also directed by Robert Wise. His cut of Star Trek is a big improvement over the theatrical cut. If Paramount had let him do a proper edit in the first place we would have had a much better first movie.


Back on topic, The first ten minutes of Jaws: The Revenge is very well done. It belongs in a much better movie than what followed those opening scenes.

[Thomas Irwin]

Lethal Weapon 2

[ArrestedDevelopment]

The Social Network:

A 6 min opening scene in a bar with Erica breaking up with Mark, followed by him running to his dorm. This all culminates in the beginning of Facebook when he creates FaceMash, set to a badass score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross:

In Motion - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network) - YouTube

[L-Rouge]

Originally Posted by Rich65

Star Trek: The Motion Picture
The beginning scene with the Klingons is awesome and Jerry Goldsmiths music was perfect for the scene.

it is magnificent.

[mikesncc1701]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

With due respect, I can't stand The Motion(less) Picture; its easily the worst of the original ten films. Yes, I said it: even Nemesis is better. The only reason I own the first film is because it was part of the 6-film set...but I've had it probably 3 years, and have watched it twice.

[dommie]

A few that come to mind:

Saving Private Ryan - the opening sequence with the Normandy landing on D-Day. The first 20 minutes of this film was devastating, a visceral experience.

Star Wars (A New Hope) when the chase between the two space ships enters the frame from above, coupled with the sound effect overhead. When I first saw that in the theatre in 1977, the audience "wowed" and we all knew we were in for something we had never before experienced, up to that time, in a movie theatre.

The Wild Bunch - the opening bank robbery/shoot out sequence with the first line spoken in the film immediately after the opening credits, by William Holden in a tight close-up, "If they move, kill 'em!"

Twelve O'Clock High - not exactly at the very beginning of the film but about 5 or 6 minutes in when Dean Jagger has ridden his bicycle out to the now abandoned airfield. He walks out to the runway, now overgrown with weeds; the flashback starts in his mind as the wind starts to whip up. We hear in the distance, the sound of airplane propellers. The camera begins to pan off Jagger and slightly up and we see that first glorious shot of the bombers returning to the airfield after a mission. That is one of my favorite all time shots from any film ever. Perfect.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by SororityRow

Screams opening with Drew Barrymore.

Oh man. It's now 3:00AM and I have to stick in Scream! Thanks a lot!



Also, about that scene,

[Show spoiler]I could not believe that they killed Drew in the very first scene. I mean, as the series progressed, it was obviously part of the formula. But at the time I was legitimately shocked.

I honestly think the opening scene of each film in the franchise is pretty great. But probably my second favorite was from Scream 4, with Aimee Teagarden and Britt Robertson.

I'm not much of a fan of Scream 3 -- don't hate it, just am not a big fan -- but it's easily my favorite horror franchise ever. By a big margin, in fact.

I agree with Arrested Development about The Social Network. Of course, having a scene that's all dialogue and written by Aaron Sorkin -- what the heck do you expect?

The first scene of Steve Jobs (2015) with the film of Arthur C. Clarke explaining what a computer is. It's really the credit sequence. But it's so cool.

And of course, Apocalypse Now. Just brilliant.

I have others, I'm sure if I think about it. But for now, those are my choices.

[Batmon77]

Full Metal Jacket