What do you think the most powerful scene(s) in a movie is?

Answer 1

I would argue the last image of Truffaut's Day For Night ranks up there.

Perhaps the image of the bridge blowing up in Bridge on the River Kwai?

For me though, it is the scene in Twelve Angry Men when one of the jurors goes on a bigoted rant and all the jurors quietly look on, horrified, only to turn their backs on him and silently face away from him until he realizes he is alone in his point of view. "Wow" is what I say to that.

Answer 2

Here is an alternative list to some really moving films, specific scenes I have noted, others are just, all in all, powerful films.


'Mouchette' (1967) the final scene. Robert Bresson is not for everyone, but if you have the patience, you will be rewarded

The Bicycle Thief- Possibly one of the finest Italian Neo Realist films

'Once Were Warriors' -A film on domestic violence, numerous scenes are to say the least heart wrenching, and very hard to watch

The Deer Hunter- The Russian Roulette scenes in particular

Marathon Man- Nazi Dentist Interrogation Scene,

Oldboy

Cinema Paradiso

City Lights- The last scene


*Story wise, the film is so/so, but the camera movement in “The Cranes Are Flying” is brilliant. From the same director as “I Am Cuba”

Answer 3

The part in Pearl Harbor. where the people are trapped in the Arizona trying to get out. and the other people are being shot in the water while the American flag is floating next to them while in the background you hear the presidents' speach to the press.THis is the original speech as made by pres. Roosevelt:

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

Answer 4

from The Children Of Men

people stopped having babies mysteriously 18 years earlier. The human race is dying out and civilization is falling apart as people realize that there is no purpose to continuing - it is all going to end.

During the middle of a military raid a baby starts to cry and it stops everything. Everyone reacts to a baby being carried down stairs by its mother. It is an amazingly powerful seen

Answer 5

You might think that the answer would be the climax. And in some cases that is true. But not always. Sometimes it is the resolution.

Climax = Green Mile (electrocution of John Coffey)
Resolution = Saving Private Ryan (old Ryan at the headstones)

Answer 6

T2's ending, Rocky 3 and 4 fight, Dead poets society with the book thingo

Answer 7

the last scene in Ghost (1990)

there is something about that scene that moves me so deeply. simply amazing. you have to see it to believe.

Answer 8

so many, the boy being shot in american x, the girl getting shot in crash, the monk committing suicide in Spring, summer, fall, winter, and spring again, death of the assassin in Hero...