Best Opening Scenes

Afternoon all,

Apologies if this has been done.

What opening scenes really stand out for you? The scenes that set the tone for the rest of the film, the ones that have you talking when the movie is over.

The ones that stand out for me are:

Saving Private Ryan - That opening 27 minutes is so intense.
Jaws - You don't see anything, but you know what's there.
Pulp Fiction - A couple eating breakfast minding their own business then Bam! Robbery!
The Lion King - All the animals coming together to witness the future king as The Circle Of Life blares out.

Cheers for reading

The Rock - Amazing film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4O5LccxCDo

i think there be a few James bond films up there with opening scenes .
raiders of the last ark .great beginning right up to the big boulder .
MIP two . with tom cruise hanging off a cliff
starwars New hope . first glimpse of spaceships right up to the first appearance of darth vader

Saving Private Ryan is awesome.

Raiders Of The Lost Arc as well.

I'll think of my own soon  

A Clockwork Orange - the closeup of Alex in the milk bar
Magdalene Sisters - the priest playing the drum and singing
Man Bites Dog - woman attacked on the train
Gummo - the voiceover about the tornado followed by "My Little Rooster"

I love the beginning of Raiders and A Clockwork Orange too.

Another I have thought of is The Shining, the drive along to the hotel. Simple but effective.

I'm not sure Saving Private Ryan can be beaten on opening scenes.

The opening scene of Saving Private Ryan is the only bit of it I've never seen. A couple of years ago, I came back to the hostel I was staying at and they were showing it in the bar. Didn't know what it was at first but soon recognised Hanks trying not to be Forrest Gump. Anyway, I'd missed the first half hour or so but watched the rest of it. Was alright.

Oh, f me. Just realised. Lake Placid 3. Roxanne Pallett. That's my nomination.
 

MIG wrote:I'm not sure Saving Private Ryan can be beaten on opening scenes.

 
 
Not seen them, but I reckon it can.

Il Gialloblu wrote:Oh, f me. Just realised. Lake Placid 3. Roxanne Pallett. That's my nomination.
 

MIG wrote:I'm not sure Saving Private Ryan can be beaten on opening scenes.

 
 
Not seen them, but I reckon it can.

I have that on DVD, great opening (pardon the pun). Its so much better than the 2nd one.

Inglorious Basterds. Waltz is excellent.

Blade - one of the best opening scenes in a film. Classic tune and then the blood comes showering down on everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHBhKbF2xMA

Raiders must surely be the most iconic opening scene of all time? Indy being chased by that boulder is pure gold.

Reservoir Dogs is one I enjoy too. The tipping scene in the diner. A classic Tarantino scene.

hornbloweroafc wrote:Blade - one of the best opening scenes in a film.  Classic tune and then the blood comes showering down on everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHBhKbF2xMA

Yeah! I was going to mention that one.

My favourite is Lee Ermey's diatribe at the start of Full Metal Jacket.

Blade is great and the others mentioned but c'mon guys picture it...

..you are sitting in a darkly lit cinema, your film is about to start. You are in space and your like WTF is this. Then the immortal words ''IN A GALAXY, FAR FAR AWAY''

Good Fellows to the point he looks at the camera and says as far back as i can remember i always wanted to be a gangster

Magnificent 7. Great theme tune for a start.

Calvero and his men riding into the village.

bhb001 wrote:Good Fellows to the point he looks at the camera and says as far back as i can remember i always wanted to be a gangster

A great opening and it continued to be throughout.

I always thought the opening of Temple of Doom, up to where they reach the river, was better than the opening to Raiders.

Die Hard 3, with summer in the city playing.

Stella wrote:Die Hard 3, with summer in the city playing.

Yes! Then the bomb going off just cuts the song dead!

lethal weapon one , is quite memorable . beautiful blonde falling to her death

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lethal weapon  one    , is quite memorable . beautiful blonde falling to her death

Cliffhanger's opening scenes are memorable for the same reason.

2001 has a brilliant opening sequence.

I am sorry you are all wrong

''IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY''

Greatest opening in cinematic history.

Think I'd go with the Op pick..................Jaws..........

Awesome the Shark PPV..............