Stand-alone movie scenes?
September 12, 2023 4:30 PM Subscribe
I am teaching a film course and want to show various scenes from English language films. The challenge is to find scenes that are coherent on their own, and don't really require the rest of the film as context. The first 15 minutes of Up, for example, is an ideal choice. What are some other scenes from films that stand on their own?
They need to be English-language films, and the longer the better. One- or two-minute scenes might be a bit too short. Any genre is fine, but obviously sex and violence should be at a minimum.
They need to be English-language films, and the longer the better. One- or two-minute scenes might be a bit too short. Any genre is fine, but obviously sex and violence should be at a minimum.
> sex and violence should be at a minimum
eponysterical
posted by Phssthpok at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
eponysterical
posted by Phssthpok at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
the sorcerors apprentice from fantasia
posted by Sebmojo at 4:49 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Sebmojo at 4:49 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I love this scene from Paper Moon. I think the scene gives most of the context overall to what's happening.
posted by edencosmic at 4:59 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by edencosmic at 4:59 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
The opening scene of Inglourious Bastards.
The Lessons from the Screenplay's YouTube channel has an excellent analysis.
posted by SegFaultCoreDump at 5:04 PM on September 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Lessons from the Screenplay's YouTube channel has an excellent analysis.
posted by SegFaultCoreDump at 5:04 PM on September 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
Best answer: The cooking scene from Big Night. I’ve never actually even seen the movie, but a friend showed me this scene and I’ve never forgotten it, it’s wonderful.
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:05 PM on September 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:05 PM on September 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
The tipping scene from Reservoir Dogs.
posted by General Malaise at 5:07 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by General Malaise at 5:07 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The opening scene of a lot of movies would do it. Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade both start with standalone scenes. WALL-E has an opening section that works coherently. Strangers on a Train, the meeting on the train, maybe?
I can think of scenes that work on most but not all levels without the whole movie. The last part of All About Eve, where she gets and award and then comes back to her hotel to find "Phoebe" waiting for her--if you've seen the movie, you get the details, but the subtext is all there.
posted by gideonfrog at 5:09 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I can think of scenes that work on most but not all levels without the whole movie. The last part of All About Eve, where she gets and award and then comes back to her hotel to find "Phoebe" waiting for her--if you've seen the movie, you get the details, but the subtext is all there.
posted by gideonfrog at 5:09 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Not to abuse the edit window, but also James Bond movies tend to start with a standalone sequence.
posted by gideonfrog at 5:10 PM on September 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by gideonfrog at 5:10 PM on September 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Waking Life has a lot of scenes that would work. Here is the transcript of one that seems appropriate for a film class. This page has a video of that one and a few others.
posted by Redstart at 5:11 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by Redstart at 5:11 PM on September 12, 2023
Marx Brothers: the stateroom scene, the mirror scene, and probably more.
All dance numbers with Shirley Temple and Bill Robinson.
posted by Melismata at 5:13 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
All dance numbers with Shirley Temple and Bill Robinson.
posted by Melismata at 5:13 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is very organized around sketches that stand on their own, as are most parts of most Monty Python movies, I guess. They were a sketch comedy troupe so their movies just come across as series of sketches stitched together by a thematic element. You can tell a lot about the characters from how they're dressed and the way they talk.
But I guess it would be useful to understand a little better what this is for. Like, the first fifteen minutes of TONS of movies could meet this description.
posted by potrzebie at 5:27 PM on September 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
But I guess it would be useful to understand a little better what this is for. Like, the first fifteen minutes of TONS of movies could meet this description.
posted by potrzebie at 5:27 PM on September 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
The first 15-20 minutes of The Empty Man are essentially an amazing standalone horror short.
Slacker is nothing but a series of unrelated scenes of weirdos in 1990s Austin, TX.
posted by mrphancy at 5:35 PM on September 12, 2023
Slacker is nothing but a series of unrelated scenes of weirdos in 1990s Austin, TX.
posted by mrphancy at 5:35 PM on September 12, 2023
Best answer: the cowboy scene from Mullholland Dr, while not entirely stand-alone, is strong enough in tone and attitude that it might be of use to you. i think the missing context can mostly be inferred from that scene.
posted by glonous keming at 5:37 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by glonous keming at 5:37 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
I recommend the beginning of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when Butch cases a bank and Sundance plays cards. It's only abour five minutes I guess. But it is a superbly acted introduction to the two main characters and their relationship with each other.
posted by Stuka at 5:45 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by Stuka at 5:45 PM on September 12, 2023
The beginning of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is kind of a history lesson that shows how they went from an Earth and International Space Station we recognize into this futuristic city filled with alien species floating in space. Oh and it's all set to Space Oddity.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:49 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:49 PM on September 12, 2023
Not clear to me how literally to take "They need to be English-language films". Is a scene with no dialog OK if it is from an English-language film?
If so, the opening to 2001: A Space Odyssey (i.e. the "Dawn of Man" scene). There is some violence, though, but it might suffice for your "should be at a minimum" qualification.
posted by Flunkie at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023
If so, the opening to 2001: A Space Odyssey (i.e. the "Dawn of Man" scene). There is some violence, though, but it might suffice for your "should be at a minimum" qualification.
posted by Flunkie at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023
Best answer: Can you better define scene? The first 15 minutes of UP is many, many scenes by my definition.
I would suggest some of these, though I guess it depends on your definition of "coherent". They each make sense out of the context of the whole film.
The French Connection
Deadwood (tv show)
Network
The Insider
Carnal Knowledge and and
Dog Day Afternoon (2)
Five Easy Pieces
Drive
Mulholland Drive (and)
Le Cercle Rouge (not in English but this scene is silent)
The Graduate and the absolutely brilliant reveal
posted by dobbs at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
I would suggest some of these, though I guess it depends on your definition of "coherent". They each make sense out of the context of the whole film.
The French Connection
Deadwood (tv show)
Network
The Insider
Carnal Knowledge and and
Dog Day Afternoon (2)
Five Easy Pieces
Drive
Mulholland Drive (and)
Le Cercle Rouge (not in English but this scene is silent)
The Graduate and the absolutely brilliant reveal
posted by dobbs at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
The Fall by Tarsem Singh immediately came to mind because it's one of the most gorgeous films ever made and because the character played by Lee Pace is telling stories to a little girl. This scene about Alexander the Great is a little over 2 minutes.
posted by kbar1 at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by kbar1 at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
The opening cartoon of Who Framed Roger Rabbit is literally a movie/show within the movie.
posted by hydra77 at 6:02 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hydra77 at 6:02 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I feel like a lot of Jim Jarmusch's work would fit the bill, since so many of his films are very vignette-based, e.g., the jail in Down By Law or the opening scene of Mystery Train. (Bonus: Robby Müller's cinematography!)
posted by paper scissors sock at 6:08 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by paper scissors sock at 6:08 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
The final scene of The Big Night. There are a few words of Italian spoken, but it is mostly silent. Notice that there are no cuts. It's a single shot.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:12 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:12 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
I have to mention the opening scene of Inglorious Basterds, even though it is probably too intense to use. Plus, it has some non-English.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:16 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:16 PM on September 12, 2023
Oh, I want to say the opening of Full Metal Jacket but that's so much profanity and a bit of violence.
posted by credulous at 6:21 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by credulous at 6:21 PM on September 12, 2023
Best answer: Just off the top of my head:
The diner scene in Michael Mann's Heat, which is swear-y but has the lovely appendix of basically the same exact scene from Mann's previous attempt to film basically the same material, LA Takedown. An interesting case study of what makes a movie scene compelling or not.
The final monologue/scene from the 1974 Murder on the Orient Express which is a masterclass in making a lot of exposition really sing but has the downside of being the end of a movie, I guess.
The silent-ish heists from Rififi and Le Cercle Rouge (mentioned upthread as well) - both French films but basically wordless.
The opening 10 min or so of The Limey, which has simply insane editing.
The basement scene in Zodiac, which I hesitate a little to say is stand-alone, but one thing that's really interesting about it is that from Character A's perspective, he's about to get completely murdered by the Character B, and from the Character B's perspective, they are maybe about to proposition each other for (at the time portrayed, illicit) sex. Despite this, nothing whatsoever explicit.
posted by lousywiththespirit at 6:33 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
The diner scene in Michael Mann's Heat, which is swear-y but has the lovely appendix of basically the same exact scene from Mann's previous attempt to film basically the same material, LA Takedown. An interesting case study of what makes a movie scene compelling or not.
The final monologue/scene from the 1974 Murder on the Orient Express which is a masterclass in making a lot of exposition really sing but has the downside of being the end of a movie, I guess.
The silent-ish heists from Rififi and Le Cercle Rouge (mentioned upthread as well) - both French films but basically wordless.
The opening 10 min or so of The Limey, which has simply insane editing.
The basement scene in Zodiac, which I hesitate a little to say is stand-alone, but one thing that's really interesting about it is that from Character A's perspective, he's about to get completely murdered by the Character B, and from the Character B's perspective, they are maybe about to proposition each other for (at the time portrayed, illicit) sex. Despite this, nothing whatsoever explicit.
posted by lousywiththespirit at 6:33 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
The opening scene from "Beasts of the Southern Wild" I don't remember as having a strong narrative, but it starts slow and builds with wonderful energy over 10 to 15 minutes to a crescendo. It probably would be interesting to analyze in a class.
posted by Leontine at 6:38 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by Leontine at 6:38 PM on September 12, 2023
This scene from A Serious Man. starts about a minute in
posted by spork at 7:14 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by spork at 7:14 PM on September 12, 2023
I feel like the scene in Rear Window when Jeff/Jimmy Stewart watches Lisa/Grace Kelly break into the apartment across the courtyard and get caught might stand alone very nicely, although I don't know if the shot where Raymond Burr stares down the barrel of the camera lands quite as hard if you've only started in the middle.
posted by mskyle at 7:29 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by mskyle at 7:29 PM on September 12, 2023
The opening scene from la la land stands well on its own.
posted by Toddles at 7:35 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 7:35 PM on September 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Five Easy Pieces chicken salad scene.
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:50 PM on September 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:50 PM on September 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
The scene in Casablanca where the refugees drown out the German soldiers by singing "La Marseillais" -- ? (Many links on YouTube and elsewhere.)
I am not sure whether this scene is self-contained if you are not familiar with the film. I think you only need to know that it takes place during WWII while the German army was occupying France, and La Marseillais is a patriotic French song.
posted by JonJacky at 8:14 PM on September 12, 2023
I am not sure whether this scene is self-contained if you are not familiar with the film. I think you only need to know that it takes place during WWII while the German army was occupying France, and La Marseillais is a patriotic French song.
posted by JonJacky at 8:14 PM on September 12, 2023
Lots of scenes from musicals would work, if you are willing to consider those. Also, opening scenes often work, as noted above.
A memorable example of both together is the opening scene in West Side Story, the 1962 version: from the opening aerial shots of Manhattan, through the introductions of the Jets and Sharks gangs, to the point where the police car arrives to break up their fight. Also notable because there is no dialog in the whole scene.
posted by JonJacky at 8:32 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
A memorable example of both together is the opening scene in West Side Story, the 1962 version: from the opening aerial shots of Manhattan, through the introductions of the Jets and Sharks gangs, to the point where the police car arrives to break up their fight. Also notable because there is no dialog in the whole scene.
posted by JonJacky at 8:32 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Wow, you guys are amazing, lots more suggestions than I expected! Hard to pick a best one, they're all great.
posted by zardoz at 9:12 PM on September 12, 2023
posted by zardoz at 9:12 PM on September 12, 2023
I personally think Drive is overrated but the opening sequence is a masterful short film in itself
posted by churl at 12:01 AM on September 13, 2023
posted by churl at 12:01 AM on September 13, 2023
The sequence with David alone on the ship in Prometheus is like a short film to me.
posted by Iteki at 12:16 AM on September 13, 2023
posted by Iteki at 12:16 AM on September 13, 2023
For Big Fish, I'd consider showing the tall tale of Edward parachuting into the military show in Korea.
It's a mini adventure movie on its own, with the romance of him wanting to get home to his wife, and it's very fun.
posted by champers at 3:45 AM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's a mini adventure movie on its own, with the romance of him wanting to get home to his wife, and it's very fun.
posted by champers at 3:45 AM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I think I have kind of decided on a gameplan here. I really don't like showing part of a movie from the middle or especially the end, so I will probably show opening scenes. I don't feel too bad about just showing the beginning; students can always go back and watch it again. So that's where my thinking is right now.
posted by zardoz at 5:35 AM on September 13, 2023
posted by zardoz at 5:35 AM on September 13, 2023
The La Marseilles scene in Casablanca.
Lawrence and Sharif Ali at the well in Lawrence of Arabia.
Make 'Em Laugh from Singin' in the Rain.
posted by conscious matter at 5:46 AM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Lawrence and Sharif Ali at the well in Lawrence of Arabia.
Make 'Em Laugh from Singin' in the Rain.
posted by conscious matter at 5:46 AM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alec Baldwin's speech in Glengarry Glen Ross, 8 minutes.
posted by automatronic at 5:54 AM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by automatronic at 5:54 AM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
You'll find some good stuff in Every Frame A Painting (anyone interested in film who hasn't seen this series should immediately go and watch it!)
posted by quacks like a duck at 6:02 AM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by quacks like a duck at 6:02 AM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
I can't find a decent-quality online link, but the opening scene from The Mask of Zorro is spectacularly fun and has a satisfying internal flow. (And only violent in a swashbuckling, old-fashioned way.)
Another of my all-time favorite self-contained opening scenes is Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery.
And obviously, if you are watching the opening of Austin Powers in a film class, you have to watch the self-contained opening of A Hard Day's Night, too.
On a very different note, the opening sequence of Snake Eyes is an astonishing 13-minute single shot. (Or, at least, an apparent single shot; I gather there are various hidden cuts in it.)
posted by yankeefog at 6:53 AM on September 13, 2023
Another of my all-time favorite self-contained opening scenes is Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery.
And obviously, if you are watching the opening of Austin Powers in a film class, you have to watch the self-contained opening of A Hard Day's Night, too.
On a very different note, the opening sequence of Snake Eyes is an astonishing 13-minute single shot. (Or, at least, an apparent single shot; I gather there are various hidden cuts in it.)
posted by yankeefog at 6:53 AM on September 13, 2023
The narrated, animated story about the Deathly Hallows in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
posted by Don_K at 8:35 AM on September 13, 2023
posted by Don_K at 8:35 AM on September 13, 2023
I know you said opening scenes are what you will focus on, but I had to leave the ending/wedding scene, with Pat Metheny score, of the movie Fandango here is this thread.
posted by gudrun at 6:31 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by gudrun at 6:31 PM on September 13, 2023
For a short focused scene, heavy on dialogue, but also, specifically, economy of words, the scene in No Country for Old Men with Woody Harrelson's character meeting with the middle manager guy and talking about Chigurh ("dangerous compared to what? The Black Plague?") could be a good example of a clipped conversation where a lot is unsaid, but everything is understood by the people speaking. Could be a good example of a place where students need to try to guess the meaning.
posted by Ghidorah at 9:13 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by Ghidorah at 9:13 PM on September 13, 2023
Sammy Jankis' story in Memento
Intro sequence of The Blues Brothers, up to the hug.
posted by rhizome at 1:33 AM on September 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Intro sequence of The Blues Brothers, up to the hug.
posted by rhizome at 1:33 AM on September 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by hydra77 at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]