Greatest Movie Openings

[Mofo Rising]

Okay, so I have three.

The first is the opening from one of the best movies ever made, Once Upon a Time in the West.

The opening scene is a virtuoso performance, basically just ambient Western sounds for ten minutes. It culminates in one of the most bad-ass lines in any movie.

"You bring a horse for me?"
"Ha. Looks like we're shy one horse."
"You brought two too many."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-jSa9_k3M

The second is the opening scene to the first Kill Bill. The opening line, "Do you find me sadistic?" is a direct response to Tarantino's reputation. The ending line, "Bill, it's your bab--" was a notice that absolutely anything could happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew5EYd5_i6M

The third, to get back to our b-movie basics, is the opening of "Hideous!" which is not a great movie by any standard. But what an opening!

I can't find video of that, but basically it is two sewage workers talking about the weirdest things they've ever had to pull out of storm drains. After trading stories, they pull out something that is truly weird.

What are your favorites?

[The Burgomaster]

I think ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST may be the greatest movie opening ever.  Nice choice.

[zombie no.one]

has to be the intro of DEAD AND BURIED (1981) for me. disturbing!

[ulthar]

MANOS?

Oh wait, you didn't mean "best for going and grabbing a beer and popping some popcorn AFTER starting the movie"?   

I'll plug another QT favorite...PULP FICTION.  I really like the opening sequence because you are basically wondering what in the WORLD is going on here...and the slide from "Jungle Boogie" as soundtrack to in-scene music is well done.

The opening of PUMP OF THE VOLUME is pretty catching, as well.  Open line gets your attention pretty quick.

[Pacman000]

Star Wars
Raiders of the Lost Ark

[Trevor]

For me, the greatest movie opening ever is the one from the SA film Katrina:

1. Sound of waves on a beach and a shot of the setting / rising sun
2. Sun's rays seem to burn straight through the camera
3. Bass drums on soundtrack
4. Movie starts this way and ends this way.

The start to one of the best and most controversial films ever made. 

[ulthar]

Oooo, I cannot believe I forgot my all time favorite movie....THE THING (1982).  The opening tones of music in the bleak "antarctic" setting...wow.  The whole movie mood in a few seconds.

[bob]

A Clockwork Orange and Pulp Fiction for me

[AndyC]

Always liked the way Vanishing Point starts with the cops setting up their trap as the news media and assorted rubberneckers begin to gather for what will be the movie's ending. Then we go back a couple of days to see how it came about.

[Rev. Powell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM975_Ld9S0

[ulthar]

In keeping with my theme of music and tone, how about HAMBURGER HILL, with Philip Glass' theme backdropping the panning shot of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC morphing into the opening battle sequence?

I recall that transition being very moving.

[akiratubo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPjhb3D587Q

Le Mans

[Living_Dead_Girl]

Maaaayyybbeeee opening credits is not the opening off the acctuall story aspect off the movie per say! But the opening credits to Zombie land definatly deserve some Praise.

Old school Metalica fans may also enjoy this! Being a zombie movie goer or not.

:)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7AFnThY472c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Living_Dead_Girl]

... I am no good off inbedding Youtube Videos in Forum posts >_< lol

[claws]

Dressed to Kill (1980)

Wow what a way to start a movie... Great!!!

FuneralDust666 4 months ago

One of many user comments at youtube   For those interested, search "Dressed to Kill.avi " on youtube - but caution: some nudity.