The movies have given us plenty of quotable lines over the years but some scenes make history for their practical effects, a standout twist ending or an often-parodied pose. These movies horrified us, delighted us and made us swoon, but how many do you remember? Read on to see if you agree with our countdown of cinema’s most iconic on-screen moments…
© CBS via Getty ImagesTitanic brought us to tears but it also provided one of the most spoofed moments in movie history
Arms outstretched onboard the Titanic – 1997
In 1997 blockbuster Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet made history as the star-crossed lovers Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater.
Whether it’s a garden gate or an actual boat, strike a pose with your arms out wide and everyone will know exactly which cinematic moment you’re referencing – even showbiz has gotten in on it, from Love Actually to Futurama.
© Getty ImagesClassical music perfectly complemented the film’s vast imagery
2001: A Space Odyssey’s opening shot
Before the 1969 moon landing there was 1968’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Created entirely with practical camera effects, it revolutionised what the sci-fi genre was capable of putting to the screen.
The soundtrack paired soaring scores like Richard Strauss’ ‘Also sprach Zarathustra’ with this futuristic imagery for a feeling of vastness that’s still remarkable today.
© Sygma via Getty ImagesThe Matrix used used its technical flair for some show-stopping fight sequences
Bullet dodging in The Matrix – 1999
The Matrix cast Keanu Reeves as Thomas Anderson, better known as Neo, who discovers a hidden reality and fights to save humanity from sentient machines.
Neo’s discovered powers led to some iconic action hero moves, including a floating gun fight and a bullet dodging sequence that showed off the film’s technical skill.
© Getty ImagesJurassic Park brought the age of dinosaurs to the screen in 1993
Jurassic Park’s T-Rex attack – 1993
When the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park appeared to the film’s iconic score, children and adults alike fell for the 1993 blockbuster.
But the T-Rex was truly the star of the show and led to one particularly nail-biting scene as Lexy and Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant attempt to avoid detection.
© Getty ImagesThe Usual Suspects redefined what a twist ending could mean
A few footsteps in The Usual Suspects – 1995
The Usual Suspects has one of cinema’s most jaw-dropping twist endings, and perhaps its most satisfying conclusion.
The film culminates in the reveal of Keyser Söze – or rather, his non-reveal. A few carefully chosen footsteps on the part of protagonist Roger ‘Verbal’ Kint reveals just how successful a con artist he is.
© Getty ImagesThe Blair Witch Project went viral decades before it was the norm
The Blair Witch Project’s viral close-up – 1999
The Blair Witch Project (1999) was one of the first films to use internet marketing, transforming from an indie-horror project to a historic hit.
The film’s ‘found footage’ style combined with Heather Donahue’s believable distress made for a viral campaign, long before the likes of Barbenheimer was even thought possible.
© CBS via Getty ImagesDesaturated and confronting, the introduction to Saving Private Ryan shocked audiences
Storming the beach in Saving Private Ryan – 1998
Steven Spielberg and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski redefined the emotional gut punch potential of war films to this day with a bloody, handheld sequence at the beginning of Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Whether you think it feels more sensitive or sensational, the film has had a clear impact on combat features in the years since.
Read the full article here
