Film has proven itself able to change the ways we entertain ourselves and how we live our daily lives. While many movies entertained us for their duration on the screen, particular movies and their scenes have affected us in more lasting ways. (Spoilers Alert)
The Shower Scene
Psycho (1960)
Leading up to the infamous shower scene, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” follows Marion Crane in her attempt to escape prosecution for stealing $40,000 which leads the secretary to find a motel where she plans to stay the night. The awkward motel owner, Norman Bates, discusses his mother’s occasional “madness” to Marion at dinner before she goes to her room. Marion begins to shower as horror music begins to rise. Then the infamous scene begins, depicting a shadowy figure (who we learn later is Norman’s mother) stabbing Marion eight times. This scene features 72 different camera angles and 50 cuts. The music and the innovation of this scene, accompanied by the suspense created by the scene cuts, make it one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time and bring popularity to Alfred Hitchcock and his horror films.
“No, I am your Father”
Star Wars V:The Empire Strikes Back(1980)
In 1980’s “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back,” protagonist Luke Skywalker arrives in Cloud City and into Darth Vader’s trap. The two begin a lightsaber duel over the central air shaft of the city. The duel leads Vader to disarm Luke by severing his right hand. Luke believed Vader killed his father, but Vader responds saying “No, I am your father.” Many fans often misquote this scene with “Luke, I am your father.” Considered to be one of the greatest reveals in cinematic history, this scene earned the film a place in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry.
Don’t You (Forget About Me)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
“The Breakfast Club” takes place in high school detention where five estranged students, all from separate cliques spend the Saturday morning together. The morning brings intense emotional discussion and ultimately new relationships with the students, including the most unlikely between popular girl Claire Standish and rebel John Bender. At the end of the film, Simple Minds’s track “Don’t you (Forget About Me)” plays, we see the rebel place Claire’s earring in his ear while walking across the football field and before the film fades to the credits, he throws his arm up in the air in celebration of his new relationship. This scene, accompanied by the emotional storyline preceding it, has earned a place in the hearts and minds of movie enthusiasts.
“My name is Inigo Montoya…”
The Princess Bride (1987)
“Princess Bride” follows the adventure of Westley in his attempt to find the love of his life, Buttercup. During his journey, Westley meets with two odd individuals: A soft-hearted giant and a vengeful swordsman, Inigo Montoya. Near the end of the film, the group uses their combined skills to siege a castle where Buttercup and the six-fingered killer of Inigo’s father are inside. Leaving the group to fight his father’s killer alone, Montoya begins to duel with the man he has sworn vengeance toward all his life. During the battle, Montoya repeats his rehearsed speech “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
The Boombox Scene
“Say Anything”(1989)
Leading up to the well-known boombox scene, Cameron Crowe’s high school romance film depicts the unlikely love between valedictorian Dianne Court and underachiever Lloyd Dobler. With only a small amount of time left before Dianne goes to England for a fellowship, Dianne succumbs to her father’s pressure to break up with Lloyd. After facing a breakup from his love, Lloyd holds his boombox above his head playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” in an effort to win back his love. These efforts charm her and lead him to escort her on to the plane to England.
“Run, Forrest, Run!”
Forrest Gump (1994)
“Forrest Gump”, an inspiring movie featuring the mentally challenged titular character follows his life as he inadvertently observes and takes part in several historical events, such as uncovering the Watergate scandal. The story begins with Gump as an adult telling strangers his life story at a bus stop. He starts with his childhood, where he tells the strangers he was forced to go through part of his childhood with leg braces. Forrest faces constant bullying for having a disability that forces him to use leg braces, Forrest discovers he can run without the braces when Jenny encourages him to run away, at which she says “Run Forrest, Run!” This phrase is repeated throughout the movie and is revived when Forrest runs from coast to coast after Jenny declined his marriage proposal.
“I’ll never let go Jack”
Titanic (1997)
As the Titanic sinks after striking an iceberg, Rose lays on a wall panel amid the freezing ocean while her lover Jack clings onto the edge for his life. The panel is only capable of holding one person, so Jack sacrifices himself to ensure that Rose will die an old woman in a warm bed, a promise he had made to her. She watches Jack sink to the depths of the ocean with tearful eyes and says to Jack: “I’ll never let go Jack. I promise.” The emotions of this scene warrants it a very deserving of a place in the memories of movie goers.
