+That Nintenja You Know That's what I liked the most about it. If you want to see the same hollywood flicks mentioned over and over again, you have watchmojo.
So much yes! It sets up the main character, style and tone of the movie, the world, the hook of the story AND on top of that has a bomb exploding and a woman carrying her own arm in her hand.
2001 is my all time favourite film. The opening is grand and yet minimal. But for the reasons they gave, I would also put Contact here. That opening is fantastic. Better than 2001? Of course not, but I'd still give it a place here! 😀
David Hartley I agree with you, this is more of a joke really haha I actually like Contact more than most people, but I wouldn't put it in any place higher than 2001 ever
A solid list, I think I would have bumped a few of the similarly structured film openings for one of my two favorite opening from Takashi Miike DOA 1 or Gozu. Both sit in my mind as perfect introductions to the surreal, setting up and breaking expectations for the viewer immediately, ensuring the rest of the movie and its absurdity can be absorbed at the right level.
Try this movie, a tamil movie named antha naal (1954) I hope it must have been inspired from kurosawa. But one of the best opening shots and one of the best story driven thrillers
Psycho - scanning over the city, into an open window, under the shade and spying onto an afternoon affair. Or Dances with Wolves were we just see the bloody foot and the aprons of the tired surgeons. Then we realize we are seeing what the man on the table sees and hears.
Hell yes. There's no doubt in my mind they just look up lists that have been done on film before and just copy&paste. Screw watchmojo I'm so happy I unsubbed them.
Difference is.. watchmojo is the result of a month long voting by the public... where as this.. is personal opinion. *shrugs* People always forgot.. that Watchmojo dont wack on as they feel like it.. they place Topic on their website.. let people nominate, and vote.. and then by that data alone.. they go research about the top ten votes.
The intro to Star Wars is fantastic because that first shot of the blockade runner blew everyone in the theater away... only for George Lucas to immediately one up himself with an even more impressive starship.
BLAIR M Schirmer Oh no, we realize you have no taste as you haven't seen enough to realize what makes a great film. Just wait, when you grow up your tastes will eventual (hopefully) mature.
My dad always tells the story of how absolutely mind-boggling the opening to A New Hope was in the theatre. Says it's his favourite moment from a movie ever.
Only Star Wars itself has topped that, and only once(at least in my opinion): The opening scene from Revenge of the Sith. It starts out with a huge display of the Republic fleet, and Obi-wan and Anakin's fighters shoot onto the screen, flying alongside the flank of one of the destroyers, with an almost serene feel, but then the fighters drop off the destroyer's side, and them, and the viewer, are immediately plunged into a massive battle.
First time ever I watch the godfather, it's the response from the Don himself to bonasera monologue that got me hook up to this film, there's some solid logic right there
Great shout-out! This list focuses mainly on the visual aspects of opening shots and overlooks ones with great narration - of which The Godfather would likely be the best. In the same vein, The Two Jakes had a great opening shot too, though not on par with The Godfather's IMO.
I humbly feel that Blade Runner's opening shot was the best of all times, that Vangelis soundtrack, the reflexion of the world on an android's eye was very poetic, a true masterpiece.
+Incertus Veritas I don't think I've been overawed as much as with Blade Runner's vast cityscape, and I didn't even see it until a few years ago, about thirty years after the fact. The music of course, as Ridley says, gives the movie wings.
Chris Wright I will always call it a Masterpiece. I saw it in the theatre when it came out in 1982, I couldn't believe my eyes, developed as a kid a huge crush on Sean Young... (my first wife even looked like her LOL)... This movie simply blew me away, I still watch it once a month.
+Boba Fett Unsub from WatchMojo. The channel is a huge troll, the polling on their website means nothing -nothing good. Their lists are always intentionally skewed to troll viewers and incite comments.
Fargo: The opening shot is a dead-white screen, out of which a car gradually emerges. It introduces an unnamed character: the weather. Patton, with the title character delivering a gripping speech in front of the biggest American flag you've ever seen.
I love the opening shot in Spectre. Really brilliant shot of the carnival following bond onto the roof, proceeding to shit going absolutely fucking crazy. The way a bond film should be. Yes, I'm guilty. I'm one of the few people who love Spectre.
+Lead To Light Liam I thought it was horrible. I don't understand the love for that scene. It felt way too overblown and on top of that the special effects were bad. I mean that fucking helicopter part looked like COMPLETE shit. It was one of the worst CGI I've seen in a blockbuster film since the 90s tbh. But that opening one shot was okay, from the carnival to the roof but once the action began it turned to shit.
+Hubert Beck Jesus. Again, Cinefix doesn't rank the 10 entries among themselves. They are separated into 10 different categories, and each one that makes it into the featured number entry is the best in the category.
Where the hell is the #2 GREATEST OPENING SHOT OF ALL TIME? ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST....(Just 3 dirty cowboys waiting for a train.) When it arrives...with a haunting HARMONICA... Harmonica: Did you bring a horse for me? Elam: I guess....we're shy one horse. Harmonica: (Shaking head), You brought two too many. Blam-Blam-blam-Blam... After Wells Touch of Evil...the # 2 Greatest Opening Shot of All Time! Are ya wit me Folks?
I have Touch of Evil, Player, Once Upon a Time in the West as the top 3 all time opening shots/scenes. Though I haven’t seen Flowers of Shanghai, so I can’t honestly disagree with narrator.
When you have the 5th Avenue and Tiffany's Co. and Then you add, Henry Mancini and John y Mercer, plus Truman Capote and Givenchy, and finally put Blake Edwards and Audrey Hepburn, what you get is perfection. The opening shot to BREAKFAST at Tiffany's perfectly sumarizes the novel title both literally and methaphorically. That scene is NOT in the book. It was especially created for the film. That is pure film making magic.
The opening scene from The Sound Of Music, with the panoramic views of the Austrian Alps and Julie Andrews whirling has universally been one of the top ten opening scenes.
Yeah, any top film opening lists that don't have 'The Sound of Music' I can't take seriously. It's like making a top Christmas film list and forgetting 'It's A Wonderful Life'.
Sorry, the opening shot is just people going through a jungle as the title plays. Believe it or not I had the thought "I hope this movie is not going to be boring". I didn't know what I was in for! (This movie had practically zero pre-publicity in Australia. I only went for the names in the credits.)
I was watching this entire video thinking, “Where’s Touch of Evil?!” And then ... This is the most satisfying movie channel I have found on UA-cam. By far.
My number one is Barry Lyndon. Looks like a gorgeous painting, nothing quite like it. The men stand in the distance in the midst of an aristocratic gun duel. Pure and utter brilliance at the hands of the genius himself, Stanley Kubrick. And the fact that it was done entirely with natural light is a spectacle in itself.
One of my favorites is "Fargo" where the all white screen is suddenly crossed by a flying bird, awakening us to the featureless landscape of white overcast sky and snow.
I think it works more to establishing the characters and showing off dialogue than being an incredibly noteworthy shot, if you can see what I'm saying.
I think they did Reservoir Dogs in their opening credits list. There is a fine line between the 2, but, it's an entirely separate list that has all the ones people are complaining weren't on this one.
I was 22 when Star Wars came out. I will never forget that giant ass spaceship coming from, it seemed, behind and over me. Whoa!!! Touch of Evil had the most tension filled opening shot. Brilliant. Deserved the #1 spot.
the opening to Bladerunner was inspired by the ICI plant near my home town of Redcar in the North East of England, director Ridley Scott is from round here and stated he had fond memories of seeing the flame pillars at the plant whilst walking home. Nice to know such an iconic film can have roots so close to home, it's a nice feeling
+Onmysheet Barry's father had been bred, like many other young sons of a genteel family, to the profession of the law. And there is no doubt he would have made an eminent figure in his profession had he not been killed in a duel, which arose over the purchase of some horses.
I know there are many great opening scenes... but "Once upon a time in West" not one of them? Even Stanley Kubric called Sergio Leone (director of the movie) to ask him how was he able to use music in the movie the way he did... For anyone that has never seen the movie just watch the opening scene and how music is being used. An incredibly beautiful movie... Just my opinion.
How could you miss out these 3 from the top 10 ?????! 1. Blade Runner - single greatest jaw dropping opening of any movie I've ever seen 2. Once upon a time in the West - majestic, panoramic, operatic, beautiful cinematography this is what cinema and widescreen were invented for 3. Alien - enigmatic symbols slowly form as the camera painstakingly pans across a vast, dark planetary backdrop - the magnificent soundtrack adds to the sense of dread and fascination
Opening scene of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey Hepburn walking in front of Tiffany's is one of the most beautiful, well-aged and iconic opening scenes in all of Holywood.
Strange Days has an amazing POV shot of the 'squid rig footage' of the junkies robbing the Chinese restaurant. It's an incredible start to a hugely underrated film
Is the shot in Contact the shot that Jodorowsky was planning for Dune? I remember in the documentary that some of the shots became iconic parts of other movies and I can't remember if that particular shot was one of them.
+domxthexdon It was based on the classic kid's science film "Cosmic Zoom" that was made in the 60's. So it's not surprising more than one filmmaker has thought about using the idea.
I have watched and re-watched the opening scene of the newest James Bond: Spectre film at least a dozen times. What makes this opening scene so profound is that it is one seamless and uncut scene. Though it's not the first to do it, it's the first I've seen to do it whilst following our hero through a crowd, in and out of various rooms, through an elevator, through multiple levels of a building, in and out of a building, and across a busy scene. That's one thing that has become synonymous with Bond films: the opening scene is always epic!
Spectre opening is EPIC! I especially love the part where 007 walks on the roof with a big ass shotgun on his back and then the typical Bond music swells on. I felt like an awestruck eight year old boy again when I saw - no _experienced_ - that in the IMAX cinema
+Andrew Wilson okay I don't know much about film terminology but don't "one shot" and "one take" have different meanings? I say this because Victoria is said to be One shot and is compared to Birdman. but i believe Birdman, although flows seamlessly, wasn't one take but more of an editing technique..?
Yes @RSFArocks. A shot and a take are different things, but related. A take is one run through of a shot. Sometimes many takes are required to get everything right in a shot. Acting camera movement choreography and so on.
I would like to humbly suggest Whiplash. The sound of drums brings you into the movie's subject, and a great pan that is revealed to be a character POV. Really liked it.
there's the opening shot from Serenity that's quite cool. it starts off with a narrated history shot of earth and ships leaving it, then coming into a new planetary system, outline of the war of Independence, then it pans out and appears to be a history lesson for students, then appears to be a dream in River's sleep, then appears to be a chase scene, then appears to be holographic security camera footage then appears to be a bounty hunt.... you know that's pretty intense. just throwing it out there
Beautiful list! Other movies that come to my mind when it comes to remarkable opening shots: Hitchock's "Topaz" (skip the opening credits!), Fincher's "Zodiac", Polanski's "Knife in the Water" , Leone's "Once upon a Time in the West" (as already mentioned), von Donnersmarck's "The Life of Others", Tanhofer's "H-8"
I’m guessing or hoping that you’re only half-kidding; already one of the funniest movies ever made, the cinematography for “Grail” is about 100 x better than it needs to be.
HER (2013) it starts with beautifull music. Then the movie tries to trick you by seeing theodor(the main caracter) to speak romanticcaly. then we see that he writes letters for others which tells us hoe fake the world is and in contrast how real the future love to the OS is. it also connects the beginning with the finish. in the last sceen Theodore talks and writes a real letter to his ex wife. a masterpiece of Moviehistory
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly will always be one of my all time favorite openings! So disorienting and jarring, uncomfortable and claustrophobic - perfectly sets up the entirety of the movie.
I love that one! It's so natural and masterful, I didn't even notice it was a long take until third viewing. Sadly, that's the film's second shot. There's a cut from outside to inside the ship.
its not really an underrated movie, it was kind of crap compared to the (excellent) tv series, like they took a rejected episode and padded it out to two hours.
The Evil Dead (1981) has one of the best opening shots of all time... from the bloody liquid title, to the camera (the evil force) meandering over the eerie, foggy lake , interspersed with shots of the 5 people in the car driving towards the cabin and the evil force (camera) floating thru the woods...
![The Dark Knight (2008) - Opening Scene [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xLcHPsWK5xg/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ultimate Guide to Camera Movement - Every Camera Movement Technique Explained [The Shot List Ep6]](/img/n.gif)
These have almost become "which movies have I seen" videos for me.
For me it's 5 tops almost all the time xD
+That Nintenja You Know I'm not very good with cinema besides english and american so for me it's usually "what movies should I see" :P
GellyfishProductions They're the reason I heard of the movie "The Fall", and I'll admit it's a great movie.
That Nintenja You Know Thanks to them I found the french movie "Amelie" and I love it so much
+That Nintenja You Know That's what I liked the most about it. If you want to see the same hollywood flicks mentioned over and over again, you have watchmojo.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind has one of my favorite opening scenes of all time.
Children of Men anybody?
Santtanna Rivera completely agree that beginning shot a narration was beautiful,
So much yes! It sets up the main character, style and tone of the movie, the world, the hook of the story AND on top of that has a bomb exploding and a woman carrying her own arm in her hand.
one of the greatest..
You seriously put 'Contact' on the list in the place of '2001'?
Do you think this is a motherfucking game Cinefix?
2001 is my all time favourite film. The opening is grand and yet minimal. But for the reasons they gave, I would also put Contact here. That opening is fantastic. Better than 2001? Of course not, but I'd still give it a place here! 😀
David Hartley I agree with you, this is more of a joke really haha
I actually like Contact more than most people, but I wouldn't put it in any place higher than 2001 ever
+Ivo Wilson ☺
I agree. "2001" is my fav sci-fi film. The audio-visual impact of the opening is just stupendous!
Agreed I cant bear to see contact on a list of best anything
I really like the opening of fahrenheit 911... the cloud changing into smoke of the WTC... brilliant
Not any question for me: It is the opening shot of Touch of Evil. Check out the opening shot of The Birdcage as well.
A solid list, I think I would have bumped a few of the similarly structured film openings for one of my two favorite opening from Takashi Miike DOA 1 or Gozu. Both sit in my mind as perfect introductions to the surreal, setting up and breaking expectations for the viewer immediately, ensuring the rest of the movie and its absurdity can be absorbed at the right level.
The opening of Blue Velvet is certainly one to remember
I got inspiration after watching this video.
Star Wars, Dazed & Confused, Office Space, Blade Runner...
My fav opening shot is from The Crimson Rivers.
Try this movie, a tamil movie named antha naal (1954) I hope it must have been inspired from kurosawa. But one of the best opening shots and one of the best story driven thrillers
Lord of War opening is pretty epic too
Psycho - scanning over the city, into an open window, under the shade and spying onto an afternoon affair. Or Dances with Wolves were we just see the bloody foot and the aprons of the tired surgeons. Then we realize we are seeing what the man on the table sees and hears.
Goodfellas. No explanation needed.
You guys actually know how to do these type of lists not like that WatchMojo bullshit they do now, good job guys!
Hell yes. There's no doubt in my mind they just look up lists that have been done on film before and just copy&paste. Screw watchmojo I'm so happy I unsubbed them.
+Hero5054 ScreenRant is the worst, with every title a replica of something they've already done, so confusing
Watchmojo is a youtube channel that's not based in specialized cinema critic's standpoints, that is what makes Cinefix so badass.
Difference is.. watchmojo is the result of a month long voting by the public... where as this.. is personal opinion. *shrugs*
People always forgot.. that Watchmojo dont wack on as they feel like it.. they place Topic on their website.. let people nominate, and vote.. and then by that data alone.. they go research about the top ten votes.
The intro to Star Wars is fantastic because that first shot of the blockade runner blew everyone in the theater away... only for George Lucas to immediately one up himself with an even more impressive starship.
I can't believe I spotted a real Scott Manley out in the wild.
Apparently the next star wars films is rumored to star with a gigantic pair of mickey ears enveloping a rebel planet.
BLAIR M Schirmer Oh no, we realize you have no taste as you haven't seen enough to realize what makes a great film. Just wait, when you grow up your tastes will eventual (hopefully) mature.
My dad always tells the story of how absolutely mind-boggling the opening to A New Hope was in the theatre. Says it's his favourite moment from a movie ever.
Only Star Wars itself has topped that, and only once(at least in my opinion): The opening scene from Revenge of the Sith. It starts out with a huge display of the Republic fleet, and Obi-wan and Anakin's fighters shoot onto the screen, flying alongside the flank of one of the destroyers, with an almost serene feel, but then the fighters drop off the destroyer's side, and them, and the viewer, are immediately plunged into a massive battle.
godfather. Bonasera monologue.
Whole wedding scene portraying dynamics and... freaking oranges!
Not just the best opening but also one of bests endings.
First time ever I watch the godfather, it's the response from the Don himself to bonasera monologue that got me hook up to this film, there's some solid logic right there
I actually love Bonasera's monologue it's still America in a nutshell. I believe in America....but then it's all lies.
Great shout-out! This list focuses mainly on the visual aspects of opening shots and overlooks ones with great narration - of which The Godfather would likely be the best.
In the same vein, The Two Jakes had a great opening shot too, though not on par with The Godfather's IMO.
I humbly feel that Blade Runner's opening shot was the best of all times, that Vangelis soundtrack, the reflexion of the world on an android's eye was very poetic, a true masterpiece.
+Incertus Veritas
Especially when you find out how they did it. Fucking amazing, puts all this CGI nonsense to shame, frankly.
Serai3 When you have a perfect script & cast... there's no need for fancy CGI.
+Incertus Veritas I don't think I've been overawed as much as with Blade Runner's vast cityscape, and I didn't even see it until a few years ago, about thirty years after the fact. The music of course, as Ridley says, gives the movie wings.
Chris Wright I will always call it a Masterpiece. I saw it in the theatre when it came out in 1982, I couldn't believe my eyes, developed as a kid a huge crush on Sean Young... (my first wife even looked like her LOL)... This movie simply blew me away, I still watch it once a month.
Agree!
i love these Top 10s. they are much better than Watchmojo
ikr they need to do top ten hood or urban movies.
+Boba Fett watchmojo suck socks.
+Boba Fett Unsub from WatchMojo. The channel is a huge troll, the polling on their website means nothing -nothing good. Their lists are always intentionally skewed to troll viewers and incite comments.
+Boba Fett These take weeks to make. WatchMojo makes one every day.
+FreedInsanity WatchMojo make about 4/5 videos a day, vomiting up lists quickly in a dire bid to get views. It's kinda sad really.
Fargo: The opening shot is a dead-white screen, out of which a car gradually emerges. It introduces an unnamed character: the weather.
Patton, with the title character delivering a gripping speech in front of the biggest American flag you've ever seen.
LOVE Fargo's opening!
Love Patton
One of my fav too..that carter burwell music and grim opening
Midnight Cowboy did it first.
Clockwork Orange deserves the 1st place. The opening fully prepares you of the ultra-violence you are going to see in this masterpiece of Cinema
The Shining opening shot was also great... It was beautiful but somehow intriguing.
I have also a video with some great movie moments XD
@@raedsakly2463 Without a doubt, Kubrick was a genius
You must not have seen Touch of Evil. Clockwork is probably my second choice, though!
Personally, I think the opening in Shrek should be number 1
Shrek 2 ;P
maria ceguera I remember Shrek 2 had a brilliant opening .
someBODY
Karolis Kesminas transformers
Yeetyeet321 ONCE TOLD ME-
I love the opening shot in Spectre. Really brilliant shot of the carnival following bond onto the roof, proceeding to shit going absolutely fucking crazy. The way a bond film should be.
Yes, I'm guilty. I'm one of the few people who love Spectre.
+Lead To Light Liam Despite not loving the movie as a whole, definitely agree that opening shot (and the whole New Mexico scene) was phenomenal!
+Lead To Light Liam the opening shot was so fucking good. too bad the movie wasn't that good.
***** Haha as a Brit, what is it actually like, then?
+Lead To Light Liam I thought it was horrible. I don't understand the love for that scene. It felt way too overblown and on top of that the special effects were bad. I mean that fucking helicopter part looked like COMPLETE shit. It was one of the worst CGI I've seen in a blockbuster film since the 90s tbh.
But that opening one shot was okay, from the carnival to the roof but once the action began it turned to shit.
I concur with everything you said.
Your videos are wayyy better than WatchMojo. Please keep them coming!
soo true
Almost every video is better than Watchmojo's.
Bender
No definitely not!
WatchMojo is shit hahahaha
@@vincesoner5829 I don't think they make bad content they are just way too overrated in my opinion
For me "2001: A Space Odysey" got the most epic- opening shot.
Odyssey*
+Illusion -- yes, absolutely
+Illusion For me, too!
thanksfernuthin
Yes!
and the closing one Fucking Too
Russian Ark. Technically the whole film is the opening shot since it was all done in one take.
Such a good movie
1:39 number 9?
+Peter Jason Quill
> Says number 9
> "For our number 8 pick"
Touch of Evil is great, deserves to be at the top. They did not mention that it was Orson Welles who conceived and shot it.
He was some kind of a man...
@@dapete Yes, and you clearly have seen the movie. What a tour de force it is too
Citizen Kane also has a great opening too, of course.
The opening of Once Upon A Time In The West is wonderful. For me is the best I've ever seen
i'm glad apocalypse now is in here. It kind of got me into movies and music.
+Nick M And I'm dissapointed that it isn't #1
+Hubert Beck Jesus. Again, Cinefix doesn't rank the 10 entries among themselves. They are separated into 10 different categories, and each one that makes it into the featured number entry is the best in the category.
I had to scroll down before I watched to make sure that Apocalypse Now was in otherwise i knew the list would have been shit!
i looked up the best opening shots ever just to see the apocalypse now intro
Star Trek: First Contact! Opening scene coming out of the eye of Captain Picard inside the Borg space ship.
dude it gettin old
@@azeemanu9379 so? doesnt mean its bad
Where the hell is the #2 GREATEST OPENING SHOT OF ALL TIME?
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST....(Just 3 dirty cowboys waiting for a train.)
When it arrives...with a haunting HARMONICA...
Harmonica: Did you bring a horse for me?
Elam: I guess....we're shy one horse.
Harmonica: (Shaking head), You brought two too many.
Blam-Blam-blam-Blam...
After Wells Touch of Evil...the # 2 Greatest Opening Shot of All Time!
Are ya wit me Folks?
that is a complete scene not one shot
I was looking for once upon a time in the West; but yeah it's probably one of the best opening SCENES of all time rather than shots
I have Touch of Evil, Player, Once Upon a Time in the West as the top 3 all time opening shots/scenes. Though I haven’t seen Flowers of Shanghai, so I can’t honestly disagree with narrator.
YES! Exactly what I was thinking when I read the title
if we're talking westerns, the opening shot of Django dragging the coffin in the mud to that iconic theme song is honestly TOP
When you have the 5th Avenue and Tiffany's Co. and Then you add, Henry Mancini and John y Mercer, plus Truman Capote and Givenchy, and finally put Blake Edwards and Audrey Hepburn, what you get is perfection.
The opening shot to BREAKFAST at Tiffany's perfectly sumarizes the novel title both literally and methaphorically.
That scene is NOT in the book. It was especially created for the film. That is pure film making magic.
No love for Trainspotting?
Choose Life
jpvideo Nah, choose the big fucking teli
it's not actually one opening shot. The opening shot of that movie is only 3 seconds long.
Call me a sucker for nostalgia, but th Lion King opening is so iconic and beautiful, I think it deserves a mention
I’m very impressed by this list but the opening scene from the lion king deserved a spot if not a mention. That sunrise is magical
The opening scene from The Sound Of Music, with the panoramic views of the Austrian Alps and Julie Andrews whirling has universally been one of the top ten opening scenes.
Cotton Mather and it ends with them hiking in the mountains.
I need to see that movie again.
Yes!
Yeah, any top film opening lists that don't have 'The Sound of Music' I can't take seriously. It's like making a top Christmas film list and forgetting 'It's A Wonderful Life'.
Aguirre, The Wrath of God has that amazing shot of the conquistadors descending the mist-covered Andes.
I second that, the natives coming down the steep mountain with the music by Popol Vuh would be my choice too.
You're right!
Introducing Indy in Raiders of the Lost Ark. It describes him beautifully and tells us we're about to go on an adventure. Perfection IMHO.
Or, seconds earlier, when the Paramount logo turns into the jungle mountain.
Sorry, the opening shot is just people going through a jungle as the title plays. Believe it or not I had the thought "I hope this movie is not going to be boring". I didn't know what I was in for! (This movie had practically zero pre-publicity in Australia. I only went for the names in the credits.)
I'm surprised that The Graduate's opening was not mentioned at all.
+John Klein Yeah, and what about that first shot in Russian Ark? Easily the most important shot in the movie.
Or fury's opening, any opening that ends with brad pitt stabbing a nazi in the face is a great opening
benmcfee I definitely won't argue with the their picks but they did kinda missed some important and/or famous openings. Not a single mention of them.
+benmcfee But isn't Russian Ark all one shot?
talha devci That was the joke, yeah. But when you think of it, that still technically qualifies as an incredible opening (and closing) shot.
I was watching this entire video thinking, “Where’s Touch of Evil?!” And then ...
This is the most satisfying movie channel I have found on UA-cam. By far.
My number one is Barry Lyndon. Looks like a gorgeous painting, nothing quite like it. The men stand in the distance in the midst of an aristocratic gun duel. Pure and utter brilliance at the hands of the genius himself, Stanley Kubrick. And the fact that it was done entirely with natural light is a spectacle in itself.
One of my favorites is "Fargo" where the all white screen is suddenly crossed by a flying bird, awakening us to the featureless landscape of white overcast sky and snow.
The dark knight opening scene
It isn't a list of scenes, it's a list of single shots.
thetramp123
oh true
I'm suprised Boogie Nights isn't on this list.
Yes indeed! At least they mentioned it..
+Felix ten Haaf I see, I just scanned through really quick and didn't see the mention.
Would have give the first place (or at least a place lol) to Lord of War's opening
The life of a bullet.
+Bender B. Rodriguez But it's not just one shot.
I'm really surprised it didn't make the list or was even talked about. Life of a bullet was an amazing opening.
bigninja27 Yeah, but it's not "best openings", but best opening shots.
+The90slim90 I'm counting the carpet of bullets and Cage wondering "how to arm the 11 other"
I'd give this video an 8 1/2 out of 10 for forgetting one.
8 1/2 ??
+EkzoVirus HD 8 1/2
YES!
David Lean's opening of Lawrence of Arabia. An oil painting in motion.
I can't imagine not even mentioning it.
The City of god has a brilliant opening.
Jamming InDaStreets
MN
-rh-
The best opening has the Lion King
How about Top 10 Movie OST of All Time?
Would like another list with the Top 10 Opening Movie OST as well.
what about reservoir dogs I thought it was great and brilliant as it introduced all the characters personalities
I think it works more to establishing the characters and showing off dialogue than being an incredibly noteworthy shot, if you can see what I'm saying.
+Gravitynaut yeah I do see what you mean. It's not visually spectacular-I just kind of like the subtlety of it.
Oh yeah, definitely. The film is incredible, and that scene makes rewatches even more rewarding.
I think they did Reservoir Dogs in their opening credits list. There is a fine line between the 2, but, it's an entirely separate list that has all the ones people are complaining weren't on this one.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly should be #1.
You know its a classic, when all three are introduced in silence.
Come on, the opening of Sound of Music is simply breath taking
Nothing beast Julie Andrews atop the Mountain in The Sound of Music! A good runner up is the Opening of Jaws.
What about the 96 minute opening shot of ''Russian Ark''?
Goodfellas. Just saying, that opening shot was pretty badass.
Well I guess that was a scene...
I think Lord of Wars "Story of a bullet" should have landed some where in the top 5.
Thats actual not the opening it starts with nic cage talking and then transitions to life of a bullet
Yea i actually looked it up after this comment and saw that. Guess I was wrong. Still a good sequence.
It's still very very profound.
+Kareem A IIRC they included it in some other top 10.
I was 22 when Star Wars came out. I will never forget that giant ass spaceship coming from, it seemed, behind and over me. Whoa!!!
Touch of Evil had the most tension filled opening shot. Brilliant. Deserved the #1 spot.
Pulp fiction??
the opening to Bladerunner was inspired by the ICI plant near my home town of Redcar in the North East of England, director Ridley Scott is from round here and stated he had fond memories of seeing the flame pillars at the plant whilst walking home.
Nice to know such an iconic film can have roots so close to home, it's a nice feeling
No mention on The Shining? Dissapointed.
That opening scene is so beautiful yet so creepy at the same time with the creepy music.
+Sunrose 8 there's a mention of it, watch again :)
And Barry Lyndon
+Onmysheet Barry's father had been bred, like many other young sons of a genteel family, to the profession of the law. And there is no doubt he would have made an eminent figure in his profession had he not been killed in a duel, which arose over the purchase of some horses.
+Onmysheet --so right
To leave out the zoom-in of Maria on the mountain in The Sound Of Music proves this list is worthless.
I know there are many great opening scenes... but "Once upon a time in West" not one of them?
Even Stanley Kubric called Sergio Leone (director of the movie) to ask him how was he able to use music in the movie the way he did... For anyone that has never seen the movie just watch the opening scene and how music is being used. An incredibly beautiful movie... Just my opinion.
I agree that that's one of the best opening SCENES ever, but this list focuses only on opening SHOTS.
How could you miss out these 3 from the top 10 ?????!
1. Blade Runner - single greatest jaw dropping opening of any movie I've ever seen
2. Once upon a time in the West - majestic, panoramic, operatic, beautiful cinematography this is what cinema and widescreen were invented for
3. Alien - enigmatic symbols slowly form as the camera painstakingly pans across a vast, dark planetary backdrop - the magnificent soundtrack adds to the sense of dread and fascination
All terrific, but the entire wordless opening sequence of 'Once Upon a Time in the West', greatcoats (dusters) flapping in the wind, is sublime.
@@rickrose5377
Beautifully put, and you make a convincing argument for it being the greatest of all 🤔
Alien had the best trailer ever. Just an egg cracking open and green light emanating from it.
Maybe you should have included Zach Sneyder's Watchmen opening where he told a whole origin story in the opening sequence.
watchmen is an opening credits not shot
There's over 20 shots in that scene. This list was counting SHOTS, not entire scenes, they have a separate video for that.
He copied what was exactly in the comics.
Would have ranked 2001 over Contact, but a good choice nonetheless.
Moonrise kingdom has the best 1st scene I've ever Seen
It's about the shot, not the scene.
Opening scene of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey Hepburn walking in front of Tiffany's is one of the most beautiful, well-aged and iconic opening scenes in all of Holywood.
Strange Days has an amazing POV shot of the 'squid rig footage' of the junkies robbing the Chinese restaurant. It's an incredible start to a hugely underrated film
Is the shot in Contact the shot that Jodorowsky was planning for Dune? I remember in the documentary that some of the shots became iconic parts of other movies and I can't remember if that particular shot was one of them.
You are right. But contact did it even better with scientifically accurate radio signals.
+domxthexdon
It was based on the classic kid's science film "Cosmic Zoom" that was made in the 60's. So it's not surprising more than one filmmaker has thought about using the idea.
+Serai3 cosmic zoom! I remember watching that at school in the 70's and it was amazing. It's still on UA-cam!
I really would have expected to hear about Once Upon a time in West at least once here.
Best opening scene
I have watched and re-watched the opening scene of the newest James Bond: Spectre film at least a dozen times. What makes this opening scene so profound is that it is one seamless and uncut scene. Though it's not the first to do it, it's the first I've seen to do it whilst following our hero through a crowd, in and out of various rooms, through an elevator, through multiple levels of a building, in and out of a building, and across a busy scene. That's one thing that has become synonymous with Bond films: the opening scene is always epic!
Spectre opening is EPIC! I especially love the part where 007 walks on the roof with a big ass shotgun on his back and then the typical Bond music swells on. I felt like an awestruck eight year old boy again when I saw - no _experienced_ - that in the IMAX cinema
@@notsorandumusername It's not a shotgun. It was a sniper rifle. What does it matter anyway the comment was 5 years old.
To Kill A Mockingbird's opening scene is my all time favorite.
Wow.forgot about that.. the tree.. the box full of trinkets,, I have to find it. Good work!
Beautiful shots 👏👏👏
I love your voice, Narrator Man! By the way, your lists are great. They actually teach me stuff, and they're epic, well written and well edited.
The longest "opening" shot is an entire film, "Russian Ark". The whole 90 minute film is one take.
+Andrew Wilson Nope, this year's victoria is 140 Minutes.
Hubert Beck OK that's one I've not heard of. And I like German cinema.
+Andrew Wilson okay I don't know much about film terminology but don't "one shot" and "one take" have different meanings? I say this because Victoria is said to be One shot and is compared to Birdman. but i believe Birdman, although flows seamlessly, wasn't one take but more of an editing technique..?
+Andrew Wilson
That would be why it's not on the list. If it's the whole film, then it's not an opening shot.
Yes @RSFArocks. A shot and a take are different things, but related. A take is one run through of a shot. Sometimes many takes are required to get everything right in a shot. Acting camera movement choreography and so on.
Flowers of Shanghai mentioned on the list gives this channel some solid cred. well done.
I would like to humbly suggest Whiplash. The sound of drums brings you into the movie's subject, and a great pan that is revealed to be a character POV. Really liked it.
Rain Man
Back To The Future
Road Warrior
Inside Man
Collateral
Taxi Driver
How does collateral has s great shot in it opening?
there's the opening shot from Serenity that's quite cool. it starts off with a narrated history shot of earth and ships leaving it, then coming into a new planetary system, outline of the war of Independence, then it pans out and appears to be a history lesson for students, then appears to be a dream in River's sleep, then appears to be a chase scene, then appears to be holographic security camera footage then appears to be a bounty hunt.... you know that's pretty intense.
just throwing it out there
Star Trek First Contact has one of the longest pull back shots on record and it was pretty impressive.
Good list as you includes sm lesser knwn but brilliant movies in ur lists..My personal fav is God of War..
what about the opening shot of the revenant? that opening is just beautiful.
I like the beginning of "To Kill a Mockingbird" with the rolling of the black and the white marbles.
If Star Wars wasn't on here I was going to throw a Kylo Ren-type fit in my apartment.
The Searchers and My Darling Clementine were two of my favorites from childhood.
Where the HELL is the opening scene of The Shining?!
I sorry, but I don't see how Star Wars couldn't be number one. I just can't see how. Good list anyway.
+Castleman Reviews It wasn't that great, many are much better.
The lists are not in order, #1 is equal to #10. there are subcategories for each number
+Paul Butterworth FALSE
+Paul Butterworth going to have to disagree with you there at the end of #1, the narrator said that why it is the opening scene of all time
+Castleman the video explains why but subsequently listing more shots....
Beautiful list! Other movies that come to my mind when it comes to remarkable opening shots: Hitchock's "Topaz" (skip the opening credits!), Fincher's "Zodiac", Polanski's "Knife in the Water" , Leone's "Once upon a Time in the West" (as already mentioned), von Donnersmarck's "The Life of Others", Tanhofer's "H-8"
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST ????? Not in the list ?
That was my first thought, too, but then I realised this is about the first shot not the first scene.
AMEN !!!!!
Opening sequence of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is hands down greatest opening sequence in history of cinema.
I’m guessing or hoping that you’re only half-kidding; already one of the funniest movies ever made, the cinematography for “Grail” is about 100 x better than it needs to be.
I see Fight Club got in....again. Personally the opening shot to Star Wars is my no. 1
Lord of War comes to mind. Haven't seen in in some time, but I'll always remember that opening "shot" - literally
I always loved the opening scene to the 1980's movie "Little Darlings" where teen actress Kristy McNichol kicks a guy in the balls...it's a classic!
I really love the beginning of Blade Runner 2049. It looks so beautiful and stunning.
HER (2013)
it starts with beautifull music. Then the movie tries to trick you by seeing theodor(the main caracter) to speak romanticcaly. then we see that he writes letters for others which tells us hoe fake the world is and in contrast how real the future love to the OS is. it also connects the beginning with the finish. in the last sceen Theodore talks and writes a real letter to his ex wife. a masterpiece of Moviehistory
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly will always be one of my all time favorite openings! So disorienting and jarring, uncomfortable and claustrophobic - perfectly sets up the entirety of the movie.
Opening Single-take Shot for the under-rated movie "Serenity."
I love that one! It's so natural and masterful, I didn't even notice it was a long take until third viewing. Sadly, that's the film's second shot. There's a cut from outside to inside the ship.
its not really an underrated movie, it was kind of crap compared to the (excellent) tv series, like they took a rejected episode and padded it out to two hours.
1:38 "...but for our number eight pick..." Oops. Editing doesn't catch everything.
The Evil Dead (1981) has one of the best opening shots of all time... from the bloody liquid title, to the camera (the evil force) meandering over the eerie, foggy lake , interspersed with shots of the 5 people in the car driving towards the cabin and the evil force (camera) floating thru the woods...