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[–]roderpol 28 points29 points ago

The ending of Big Fish, when Will takes his father from the hospital to the lake.

[–]Mandelish 4 points5 points ago

This is what I was going to say. Just perfect... I tear up every time. Wouldn't it be great to hear the "story of your life" like that when you are dying...

[–]kitsune 3 points4 points ago

Such a great ending...

[–]ProdigalSheep 2 points3 points ago

What a great film.

[–]THE_HYPNOT0AD 26 points27 points ago

A few of mine:

  • The ending montage from 25th Hour

  • Kanji singing to himself on the swing in Ikiru

  • The ending of Braveheart (You have bled with Wallace)

  • Amelie and her new man riding around Paris on his scooter

[–]prezuiwf 6 points7 points ago

Upvoted, totally forgot about 25th Hour when thinking of my response. That is definitely right up there.

[–]missmediajunkie 4 points5 points ago

Upvotes for Ikiru. It's one of the best Kurosawa films.

[–]99thBeerontheWall 24 points25 points ago

knife fight scene in Saving Private Ryan. I have never had such an emotional response from a movie as I did in this scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuxpSSJBwW0

[–]John_Barleycorn 4 points5 points ago

When I first saw that scene in the theaters, for a few seconds I genuinely thought the German soldier would not follow through with killing him because of the pleading tone in his voice. I figured it would be a slightly cliched scene where they decide to part ways without killing each other amidst all that horror. I was wrong.

[–]Blly509 6 points7 points ago

Stop! Stop! STOP! Listen to me! LISTEN TO ME!

Shhh..........

[–]ShineyHiney 7 points8 points ago

The worst part is his buddy is just freakn sitting on the stairs crying and lets him die. I have never felt so much rage

[–]specialpatrol 10 points11 points ago

I actually felt an overwhelming pity for the coward, too incapacitated by fear to save his colleague. Especially when the German just walks past him knowing he's too weak to to even be a threat...thats going to stay with you!

[–]ShineyHiney -2 points-1 points ago

Every single one of his buddies had to face the same fear as him. They all choose to stand up and fight. He choose to cower down and because of it one of his friends died that didnt have too. I have trouble having any sympathy for him.

[–]specialpatrol 4 points5 points ago

I suppose it comes down to whether you feel he had a choice. He was far less experieced in combat than his buddies and I imagine your mind could easily just lock you down in such a situation. Basically i can imagine I could be that guy, I know what fear feels llike.

[–]admiralallahackbar 3 points4 points ago

Been a while since I saw the film, but I don't think his buddy could have known that there was only one German in there. I don't think he knew it would be that easy to save his friend's life. When he later lets the German pass him, he's in a different state than his initial pause; then he's frozen not only by his fear but also by that sense of failure.

To rage at the "pussy" or "coward" is to miss Spielberg's point about war.

[–]R88SHUN 75 points76 points ago*

not necessarily the MOST beautiful but i found the scene in children of men when the warzone went quiet because everybody heard the baby to be beautiful. the submarine scene in life aquatic was also nice. the scene in futurama when fry figures out his nephew is named after him always gets me.

[–]s65 14 points15 points ago

That scene in Children of Men gave me shudders.

[–]phogasmic 10 points11 points ago

I love that Children of Men scene. It gives me chills even when I think about it.

[–]PopeUrbanII 18 points19 points ago

Named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit.

[–]mainsworth 7 points8 points ago

I cry every god damn time.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points ago

the utter contrast between the whimsy at the beginning of the scene into the moving, emotional ending of it is what makes the Jaguar Shark scene in Life Aquatic the top spot in my list.

"i wonder if he remembers me."

[–]imyourspiritanimal 2 points3 points ago

I agree with you. It tears me up inside every time I watch it. When the entire crew puts their hand on Zissou, it feels so raw and so cleansing.

[–]poon_handler 4 points5 points ago

that scene is incredible, chills just thinking about it

[–]badassmusketeer 18 points19 points ago

"It's been a tough year dad..." The Royal Tenenbaums.

The snow scenes in "Biutiful"

I was really touched by the scene in "50/50" where JGL goes into surgery but is scared of getting put to sleep by anesthetic because he knows that he might not wake up. Really put me in his shoes.

[–]Diozakrod 6 points7 points ago

"It's been a tough year dad..." The Royal Tenenbaums.

Fuck I lost it when he said that. Was the first movie in a long time to make me cry, and I can't really put my finger on why.

Of course you have to mention the Suicide scene in the same movie.

[–]badassmusketeer 2 points3 points ago

I knew I was forgetting something! Yes, that scene and the scene the kids go out with the granps.

[–]noisesolo 4 points5 points ago

The tender response, "I know you have, Chassie", is what really got me.

[–]tysonsaurusrex 2 points3 points ago

just watched the royal tenebaums last night, made me realize that it is truly my favorite movie. the soundtrack mixed with the emotions the film is trying to convey just destroy me.

[–]thelovepirate 17 points18 points ago

The Pure Imagination scene in Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory.

[–]meganarnia 3 points4 points ago

Seconded. I'd always be so excited about that scene coming on when I watched it as a child. Hell, I still get excited now.

[–]hanz_olo 42 points43 points ago

[–]Romoraic[S] 3 points4 points ago

Wow...it's been a few years since I've seen that movie. Such a wonderful scene.

[–]ILikePettingManatees 1 point2 points ago

was gonna post this... just watched it again last night. Wow, and to think that line was totally improv

[–]Dysterkvisten 2 points3 points ago

Wasn't improv, but Hauer wrote the line himself. Still beautiful!

[–]snikyllek 12 points13 points ago

The last minute of Black Swan, the grand finale when the grotesque becomes beautiful.

[–]AwkwardSegue 5 points6 points ago

I feel the beauty and masterwork of Black Swan was horribly overshadowed by OMG LESBIAN SEX. It's a shame, because it was such a brilliant film.

[–]tmbcake13 54 points55 points ago*

God, beauty is such a vague word. It could mean an aesthetically beautiful scene, it could mean beauty in humanity and words, it could mean so many things. Here are a few of my favorites, vaguely speaking. Many movies I feel have multiple scenes of equal (but different) beauty, and many of these occur near or at the end of the movie so bear with me, this is gonna be long and possibly spoilerish.

  • The "Married Life" segment in Disney/Pixar's Up. The scene is so heartbreaking and so real that you forget you're watching a cartoon. I'm not one to cry in movies, but this scene and the subsequent scene in the end when he finds the "Stuff I'm going to do" really get to me.

  • In The Wrestler, when Mickey Rourke and his daughter are talking and he says "And now I'm an old broken down piece of meat, and I'm alone" really shows the evolution of his character throughout the film. Then the ending scene. Oh God that ending scene. He deserved an Oscar.

  • It's in the title, American Beauty, Kevin Spacey's ending monologue is one of the most touching moments in film history in my opinion.

  • In The Truman Show when Truman leaves, it's just so liberating, and when we see Sylvia smiling and going to meet him, I just imagine the genuineness of him finding a real life outside his little bubble world and seeing her again.

  • The rain coming down on Andy in The Shawshank Redemption. Thematically and visually beautiful. No other word to describe it. Also in the end, the zoom out and seeing Morgan Freeman drop his suitcase. That may be my favorite moment in film, when he drops that suitcase.

  • Controversial probably because I know a lot of people who hated the film, but Carol howling out to Max at the end of Where the Wild Things Are brought tears to my eyes. I feel like it is a misunderstood film and more a beautifully filmed re-imagining of the story than something to mock or whine about.

  • James Franco's recorded message to his parents in 127 Hours. I went home and called my mom after seeing this movie. It's just so raw and real. Not sure if "beauty" is the word I'd use, but it really hits hard to a lot of people.

  • Haven't really mentioned aesthetic beauty, so I'll put in that a lot of the visuals in Tree of Life were simply stunning.

  • And finally, "No man is a failure who has friends" from good old Clarence.

[–]oorza 8 points9 points ago

Controversial probably because I know a lot of people who hated the film, but Carol howling out to Max at the end of Where the Wild Things Are brought tears to my eyes. I feel like it is a misunderstood film and more a beautifully filmed re-imagining of the story than something to mock or whine about.

I cried like a fucking baby in the theater when I saw this film. I don't know what people were expecting, but I wasn't expecting anything, so I guess I never had the chance to be disappointed in the film. It was a wonderfully made movie that spoke a lot to me about childhood and what it meant to have to start making mature decisions and all of those other things that are "growing up." It's definitely not appreciated nearly so well as it deserves, and I wanted to pick a scene from this film to answer the question in the OP, but I couldn't pick just one. The whole film is just so fucking beautiful.

[–]donnerpartyof1 6 points7 points ago

It's in the title, American Beauty, Kevin Spacey's ending monologue is one of the most touching moments in film history in my opinion.

Good choice, great film.

[–]John_Barleycorn 5 points6 points ago

The Wrestler: "The only place I get hurt is out there."

Jesus H. Christ.

[–]Crumbedsausage 5 points6 points ago

...Are you me?

[–]SparxD 4 points5 points ago

Have to agree with The Truman Show. That movie was so awesome.

[–]badassmusketeer 1 point2 points ago

Every scene you mentioned, I really enjoyed too.

[–]cmasterflex 2 points3 points ago

upvote for 127 Hours

[–]theJaylee 12 points13 points ago

The ending scene from Schindler's list: When all the surviving Jews and their children visit Oscar's grave to lay stones on it. It is really one of the most emotional scenes I know.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points ago

When Wall-E first sees Eve. She 'dances' in the sky, breaks the sound barrier and Wall-E falls in love. Love the comedic relief immediately after. Same with Carl & Ellie's marriage montage in Up. It breaks your heart then heals it immediately with the stair-master gag. Pixar are truly amazing.

[–]YakMan2 6 points7 points ago

Pixar packed more of an emotional punch in that opening montage of Up than most movies could ever hope to fit in an entire feature length film.

[–]i_am_jargon 10 points11 points ago

The scene in Road to Perdition where Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) confronts Mr. Rooney (Paul Newman) for the last time. If it weren't for the exacting (yet IRL impractical) lighting of Conrad Hall and the sound of Thomas Newman's score over the silent images of the scene, it wouldn't be as poignant and piercing as it is.

Still consider this, by far, Sam Mendes' best film.

[–]WH1SKEYHANGOVER 9 points10 points ago

I love Road to Perdition. Every moment in that film could be a painting. So excited Sam Mendes is directing the latest Bond movie.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points ago

I came here with this in mind. It's one of my absolute favorite scenes from any movie. Wonderfully shot and emotional. Great call.

[–]johninbigd 3 points4 points ago

"There are only murderers in this room! Michael, open your eyes. This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there's only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven."

Such an amazing movie. And then there's the "rain" scene. "I'm glad it's you."

[–]kitsune 2 points3 points ago

Thomas Newman <3

[–]WH1SKEYHANGOVER 11 points12 points ago

The scene in There Will Be Blood where Plainview and his son have their confrontation. It's not a beautiful scene, but very powerful.

[–]Romoraic[S] 5 points6 points ago

That movie is so fantastic. Probably my favorite drama of all time.

[–]AndyOniyate 9 points10 points ago

The ending of "Sunshine". Or all of "The Fountain".

[–]forqqan 5 points6 points ago

im glad you pointed out the ending of ”Sunshine” very powerful and beautiful scene!

[–]entertanus 4 points5 points ago

There are three scenes in Sunshine that do it for me. The first is when Kaneda is outside the ship and gets swallowed by the wall of fire. The second is when Capa makes the leap from the living module to the bomb, effectively leaping towards his imminent doom. And of course the final scene, where time and space become one.

[–]AndyOniyate 2 points3 points ago

Great call on all parts! :) Love this movie so much.

[–]entertanus 4 points5 points ago

It really gets a ton of flack for the horror shift towards the end. I get that it is vastly different from the rest of the film but I still love it.

Alien, Predator, and Event Horizon are sci-fi/horror films that were all well received, why not Sunshine too?

[–]jaredstew 4 points5 points ago

Came here to post both of these films. The jump scene in Sunshine is my personal favorite. Also honorable mention for the ending scene of Syriana is pretty beautiful in my opinion.

[–]Gumbypants 2 points3 points ago

The end of the Fountain, where she appears to him for the last time and he collapses in front of her screaming, "what do you want from me?" and then he looks up and she has transformed into the Queen of Spain and says, "Will you deliver Spain from Bondage?" He says "I'm trying, I don't know how"

[–]robsapiens 10 points11 points ago

ratatouille, Anton Ego tastes the ratatouille, always gets me :(

[–]jag8728 37 points38 points ago*

The end of Gladiator, when Maximus dies and goes "home".

[–]roderpol 6 points7 points ago

Glad someone had already mentioned it.

[–]DumberDan 20 points21 points ago

The ending scenes in GATTACA. Words simply cannot express...

[–]B1Gpimpin 6 points7 points ago

love my science teacher for showing that in highschool

[–]booyahachieved 9 points10 points ago

The tiny dancer sing a long in Almost Famous, especially when Patrick turns to Penny and says he needs to go home and she replies "you are home", the way Kate Hudson delivers that line is incredible

[–]beyondoasis 8 points9 points ago

The entire pod sequence in Contact.

[–]marko34 4 points5 points ago

The incoming signal scene gets me too. One uncut shot from the headphones into the control room. The energy and enthusiasm of "Oh my god is this happening??" I think I read somewhere that actual SETI researchers said that scene would be very accurate if that happened in real life.

And then her testimony at the end, as Palmer Joss is the only one realizing the magnitude of what she's saying. Watching Jodie Foster reach deep into a quiet place.

Yeah I pretty much love that movie.

[–]Sweaty_Fumblings 2 points3 points ago

Oh fuck, yes.

[–]zavaro 10 points11 points ago

The entirety of The Fall. Absolutely beautiful photography from India and around the world.

[–]mmarkz26 2 points3 points ago

Honestly, one of the most aesthetically superb films I've ever seen. The colors, the landscapes........ everything.

[–]dscrd 8 points9 points ago

Ending scene of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

[–]BaconBiscuits 16 points17 points ago

Most scenes in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; I'm not sure how many times I cried because of that film.

Also the scene in Spirited Away when Chihiro is falling through the air with Haku and crying. I just love that scene so much.

[–]Mandelish 2 points3 points ago

Eternal Sunshine...

I loved the scene when they are under the blankets and he was telling her she was pretty...

[–]Bastardlyfive 8 points9 points ago

Surprised the ending of Lost In Translation hasn't been mentioned, not knowing what he says is the best part. The movie In Bruges has a few beautiful moments scattered through out and the ending to Gattaca is also pretty beautiful.

[–]HornyVervet 7 points8 points ago

I just watched Brokeback Mountain last night and a couple scenes towards the end really got to me. One is Ennis sitting alone in a diner that really highlighted his stark loneliness. The other is the end scene where his daughter comes to tell him she's engaged and he says the ranch will have to find another cowboy.

[–]nonviolentprotestor 7 points8 points ago*

Life is Beautiful. The sacrifices made by Guido to protect his child are so genuine and beautiful. I haven't watched the move since becoming a parent. I don't think I could bear to.

*edit. the specific scene is when the son is hiding in the mail box, and Guido is marched by, and he keeps the make belief story going with his silly marching.

[–]yellowunit 4 points5 points ago

Definitely agree with the Iron Giant. Overall amazing movie.

[–]Imallvol7 7 points8 points ago

By far and away the most powerful scene in a movie for me . . .

Pippen's song in Lord of the Rings . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzyTvX67gM

[–]overdos3 22 points23 points ago

The ending scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The star child and beyond.

The whole light sequence was beautiful as well but the ending has more depth.

[–]son-of-chadwardenn 11 points12 points ago

Also from 2001: the Blue Danube sequence, when the ape man discovers the first tool, and the deactivation of HAL 9000.

[–]Paedin 7 points8 points ago

I couldn't get over HAL 9000's deactivation. It was so moving... this cold unfeeling thing, begging for it's continued existence. Amazing. And Bicycle Build for Two. Perfect.

[–]son-of-chadwardenn 3 points4 points ago

The best part is it can be interpreted in two ways. Either HAL is just saying what he calculates will make Dave stop or he is legitimately afraid.

[–]Bulknowt 5 points6 points ago

Amelie. All of it.

[–]DasWeisseBand 10 points11 points ago

Any scene from Days of Heaven

[–]MonkAndCanatella 2 points3 points ago

Or Badlands. Or The Tree of Life. I especially like in the very beginning of Days of Heaven, when you see the train crossing a bridge from the side. Terrence Malick's films are the most picturesque films of any director in my opinion.

[–]nomdeweb 2 points3 points ago

Or all of The New World.

[–]danfnman 5 points6 points ago

Hero in its entirety

[–]luckyblindshot 5 points6 points ago

Somebody already mentioned the "tears in rain" speech from Blade Runner, so this one comes in a close second.

The ending of The Life Aquatic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPMf8G8Pi5o

This is the first scene in a movie that ever made me cry. I was sixteen, alone in my room watching this and eating chocolate chips. Not one of my proud moments, but god I love this movie.

[–]ViaNocturna 12 points13 points ago

The whole intro to UP killed me. I love it.

[–]tombah 7 points8 points ago

Of this year the films that have been released, I must say is definitely either Drive (elevator scene) or Tree of Life (the entire fucking film).

But all in all one of the most beautiful scenes for me in film is in Darjeeling Limited. The little boy's funeral. The use of the Stones and the cinematography is always on par.

[–]badassmusketeer 1 point2 points ago

That whole film is so fucking beautiful. But that scene REALLY stands out.

[–]TheAmbiguityBuster 5 points6 points ago

The one that will always stick out in my mind for some reason is the scene in Pleasantville, during which the two characters are driving slowly down a lane shaded by trees in the fall, with pink leaves raining down onto them, while Etta James' voice is serenading the scene. Very beautiful.

[–]BMLM 5 points6 points ago

The ending of Lost in Translation is my favorite. It always gets me when "Just Like Honey" begins to play. The way it continues as we see Bob leaving Tokyo, and Charlotte, before the film finally fades to black is as asked - beautiful.

[–]Darktidemage 4 points5 points ago

The scene in crouching tiger where they are chilling in that half house thing (just a wall with a window) looking at the trees. Liu Mu Bai wanted to be with the woman lead his whole life and this is basically the only chance they get to relax together.

[–]HornyVervet 2 points3 points ago

And the fight through the bamboo forest was beautiful as well. That movie is filled with beauty.

[–]Mharbles 3 points4 points ago

Of recent films the last round in "Warrior" really got to me. Tom Hardy's character endured so much up to that point but he wouldn't let go, at least not till his brother put him into a loving choke hold. Also Nick Nolte's Moby-Dick break down, brutal.

[–]cradling_smirnoff 4 points5 points ago

I've always enjoyed this fight scene from the movie Hero.

[–]marko34 7 points8 points ago

  • There's a scene in Baraka where taxicabs on the streets of New York City stop and go to the sound of mechanical breathing. Very, very powerful. Very, very overlooked (in my opinion) for some of the other shots, like the chicks.

  • The end of "The Fountain."

  • Gandalf coming over the ridge, leading the sunrise (and Rohirrim) in "The Two Towers."

  • When "E.T." comes back to life. I cry buckets.

  • When Yoda lifts the X-Wing in "Empire Strikes Back" and you realize for the first time that The Force is really, really real.

I could go on...

[–]oorza 7 points8 points ago

Spoilers abound - read at your own risk.

  • The final scene in Mysterious Skin. In a movie like that, about child abuse, you expect a form of catharsis as the obvious finale; shame that reality isn't so simple. In the final scene, as Gordon-Levitt's monologue carries over Samskeyti (itself one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful pieces of music ever recorded), you realize that there is no catharsis, only pain, but comfort in being not alone in your pain. It's that brutal realization that makes the film stick around and ruin the next week of your life. I'm not sure "beautiful" is the right word for it because it's so ugly, but it's the most perfect scene in cinema I've ever seen. It's a shame this film is so unknown and so difficult to watch, it's a fucking gem of a film that no one knows about. I've never, ever experienced a film that touched me so much emotionally as Mysterious Skin did, and it's that finale that really cements the film in your memory.

  • The silence and calm as everyone heard the baby cry in Children of Men. Everything that move was, was most apparent in that scene. The hope, the sudden peace, everything that movie was trying to say was said so perfectly, so visually, so succinctly in that one, perfect scene.

  • The scene in Awakenings as the coma patients return to their comas. Another criminally underappreciated film in Awakenings, but this is the scene that breaks your heart in two. After building these characters for the entire film, their (and by extension, your) worst fears are realized and you get to watch the people you had watched grow and come to enjoy return to their comas. It's an incredible scene and one that turns on the waterworks every time I see it.

  • The closing scene in Friday Night Lights (the film, not the show). I feel like I've never seen something that so poignantly captures the simultaneous feelings of hope for the future, sadness at opportunity and friendships lost, happiness at maturity, the entire bag of emotions that is graduating high school. It took me several years after high school to realize how beautiful this scene was, and what a beautiful metaphor the entire film is for high school itself, even for those of us that didn't play football. That final toss to the pee-wee kids at the end, that's it, that's what graduating is, that's what becoming an adult is.

[–]datdouche 2 points3 points ago

I agree about Friday Night Lights It's like they play out that final scene at the strange crossroads where their life experience of playing football turns into memory, if that makes sense. I think the Explosions in the Sky OST was breathtaking; if you've ever been to west Texas it encapsulates the feel there entirely. The mundane can be so breathtaking and beautiful with a little perspective, kind of how you realized the power of this scene a few years after graduating.

[–]hookedupphat 2 points3 points ago

Friday Night Lights (the film, not the show)

The show is incredible in its own right.

[–]Crek 7 points8 points ago

The scene in "A Clockwork Orange", where Alex puts his Droogs in place. The slow motion walking, the acting, Gioacchino Rossini's Overture to La Gazza Ladra, it is unsettling and beautiful.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v90KPJ6n4Ew)

[–]streetsaheadofyou 5 points6 points ago

It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen.....

[–]skeeball_wizard 11 points12 points ago*

Your choice is beautiful. Thank you for that. One of my more recent favorites is the scene in Inception, where the climax is about to reach its end. Cobb and Mal are having a conversation, one that hits deep inside of me. Mal: You remember when you asked me to marry you? You said you dreamt that we'd grow old together. Cobb: And we did. I miss you more than I can bear, but we had our time together.. and now I have to let you go." It makes me both terribly sad and happy for him as a human. Having to let go is never easy.

[–]Enderkr 7 points8 points ago

That whole movie is one beautiful scene.

[–]runningtheblade 5 points6 points ago

I love the ending itself. The building music, the triumph as Cobb finally returns home and looks at his kids... So beautiful.

[–]s65 2 points3 points ago

I have a theory about that scene. I think Cobb performs an inception on himself.

[–]GreatTragedy 1 point2 points ago

There's actually a prevalent theory that the 'inception' the movie is actually about is for Cobb. The idea they were trying to plant in Cobb was that he needed to let go of his guilt for the death of his wife. Consider the end, and how Cobb doesn't actually stay to watch the top. The reason for this is that it doesn't matter whether the top falls or not anymore, because it was never his totem to begin with, and he no longer needs it.

[–]runningtheblade 3 points4 points ago

Everything involving the creation of the universe and the 1950's scenes from Tree of Life.

[–]overdos3 3 points4 points ago

Also, the whole horizontal fight sequence in hallway in OldBoy. One of the greatest scenes in movie history.

[–]the_jules 4 points5 points ago

  • World's Greatest Dad Where Robin discovers his dead son.

  • It's a cliché, but the end of Matrix where Neo gets up, kind of crouches and the walls around him bend. Very powerful.

  • The end of Leon - The Professional

[–]regularbean 2 points3 points ago

I'm glad somebody mentioned World's Greatest Dad, there were some beautiful and hard-hitting moments. I also found the pool sequence with the song 'Under Pressure' especially memorable.

[–]DudeJesse 2 points3 points ago

Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi

"If you will not return to the dark side, then perhaps SHE will" "NEVER!" Awesome light saber fight Brings my fist in the air every time, and air punching.

[–]ciaranj617 3 points4 points ago

The scene in Sunshine where Cillian Murphy jumps from the Icarus 2 to the payload, the music and visuals are incredible here.

[–]BattyWest 6 points7 points ago

the ending of Shawshank Redemption with the shot of the tree and fence.

[–]xebo 5 points6 points ago

Andy Dufresne in the rain

[–]SparxD 10 points11 points ago

Well, it's TV, but Futurama episode Jurassic Bark - the end always gets to me. (Spoiler alert if anyone hasn't seen it!) Fry finds the fossilized remains of his dog after starting life in the 31st century, and wants the professor to clone the dog so Fry can be with him again. At the very end, when Fry decides not to clone his dog because he the readings from the professor's machine say the dog was so old when he died, Fry thought his dog had forgotten about him, but then it cuts back to the 2000's and it shows Seymour sitting outside of Panucci's, waiting, just waiting. for years. Then Seymour lays his head on the sidewalk, closes his eyes, and it cuts to black. I am choking up just thinking about it. I know every episode of Futurama by the first few seconds of the show, and every time Jurassic Bark comes on I change it. I can't watch it, it makes me hysterical.

If I had to pick something from a movie, I would say any one of the hilarious scenes of Will Ferrell in Elf. That movie is amazing because Will Ferrell plays the part so well...makes you wonder how fascinating the world could be if we all had that child-like innocence and wonder.

[–]skeeball_wizard 4 points5 points ago

I love Elf. Except for the scene where he kisses Zooey. My eyes turn green!

[–]Enderkr 8 points9 points ago

It got parodied to hell and back, but I still love the scene in American Beauty where Ricky is showing Jane the plastic bag in the wind. Everything about that scene, from the monologue to the music to the acting, is just a perfect moment.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]Donahue2 5 points6 points ago

Not the most beautiful, but this short scene from the warriors always gets me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9c4hCJZhx8&feature=related

She tries to fix her hair to look nicer in front of these privileged teens. He stops her. She's got nothing to prove to them.

Took the movie to a whole other level for me.

[–]mysterx 2 points3 points ago

Just one that comes to mind is anything involving the train in Spirited Away. Be it the first glimpse or the train ride itself.

[–]c2k1 2 points3 points ago

  • Roy Batty's death in Blade Runner.
  • Many Tarkovsky moments, but the room in Stalker is breathtaking.
  • The cuckoo clock speech in The Third Man. Even moreso than the reveal. It's perfection, in terms of writing and makes my hair stand up.

[–]Little-Lenin 2 points3 points ago

The ending in "blood diamond" when solomon comes to england.

[–]ostricheyes 0 points1 point ago

Of 2011, I'd have to say the final scene of the War horse. Beautiful imagery!

[–]super101 1 point2 points ago

Opening scene of The Dark Knight.

[–]jjones5199 2 points3 points ago

Pretty much ALL of A Beautiful Life

[–]lifeaeronautic 2 points3 points ago

The ending of American History X....very powerful movie with an equally powerful ending.

[–]jam3zz 2 points3 points ago

The first scene of The Thin Red Line. Terrence Malick makes the most beautiful films imo.

[–]datdouche 2 points3 points ago

Before I saw the OPs LOTR choice, I immediately thought of my favorite scene from The Two Towers From the point when Theoden dons his armor and Gimli blows the Horn of Helm Hammerhand-

"The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep...one...last....time" Oh my GOD this gives me chills.

-to when they see Gandalf up on the hill and we get:

Gandalf: Theoden King stands alone... Eomer: Not alone....Rohirrrrriiiiiimmmm!!!

Then they ride down the fucking hill in slow mo and the sun rises!!! Are you fucking kidding me, I am getting chills right now.

Side note: A few things bother me about this scene, like, were they just going to leave Gimli there blowing the horn? And when Theoden and Aragorn and whoever else was with them emerged from the keep, did all of the Uruks just forget they had crossbows and bows?

[–]zemonstaaa 1 point2 points ago

Frances McDormand, Fargo: Eating a giant burger wrapped in foil in her police car. She's kind, soft, sweet, caring, pregnant, hungry as fuck, gorging on a gross burger. Staring straight forward, squinting, thinking, plotting, analyzing a clusterfuck gone bananas. *edit: and packing heat.

[–]Mandelish 2 points3 points ago

How about the scene in Romeo and Juliet, from the time where they first see each other through the fish tank, kissing in the elevator and running form her mom, when Juliet is dancing with Paris and Romeo is laughing at her, was it " until right when they figure out that they are a Montague/Capulet. Kind of a "teen" flick but I love that part.

[–]jblack69 2 points3 points ago

One of my favorite is the sunset in Star Wars. Luke has a look of despair as he gazes towards the suns and space, knowing that he could be exploring them but instead is stuck on an inhospitable planet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEUGF3NGbPg

[–]LadyLizabee 2 points3 points ago

I would have to say the Tree of Life, though the movie was a pain to get through, cinemetography wise it was stunning.

[–]s65 6 points7 points ago

  1. The creation of the universe sequence in The Tree of Life.
  2. The last ten or so minutes of The Fountain.
  3. The intro and ending scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

[–]Romoraic[S] 7 points8 points ago

The end of the Fountain had me in tears. Such a beautiful movie.

[–]s65 0 points1 point ago

Right? I can't believe how much shit that movie got from critics.

[–]Blly509 1 point2 points ago

Well, I really liked the wink in the TRAILER for 29 weeks later, when the army dude is pushing the van. That's probably my favorite MOMENT ever. As far as scenes go, there's always the Expectations vs. Reality scene in 500 Days of Summer (Terrible video of it). The scene in How To Train Your Dragon where Toothless draws in the dirt. I've always been extremely partial to the scene in the village where Joaquin Phoenix grabs the chick's hand. The Jeffrey scene in Get Him To The Greek is fantastic in so many ways, I've always loved it. But my all time favorite scene of any medium is Barney being denied in season 7 of How I Met Your Mother (No video, you should just go ahead and get caught up, I promise you won't regret it)

[–]jesterguy 3 points4 points ago

My not be the MOST beautiful but I've always liked the Bellagio fountain scene at the end of Ocean's 11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTcFkPVbN04&feature=related

Great music, no words said but it still says a lot, it's just a great scene after all the events in the movie. Plus Carl Reiner's the last to leave so it's that kind of "moment in the sun" for him and he's such a Hollywood legend, was really nice.

[–]assmagic 6 points7 points ago

Any Ron Jeremy money shot.

[–]gladeflower 3 points4 points ago

The sex in Enemy at the gates.

[–]serrakat 1 point2 points ago

End of Metropolis (anime version) where everything's exploding and Tima falls with "I can't stop loving you" by Ray Charles in the background.

[–]dscrd -1 points0 points ago

That wasn't beautiful to me because it shouted to me like a half-hearted apology for not including The Scourging of Shire.

[–]harrythemay 0 points1 point ago

I'm not too sure whether it fits the definition of beauty but the scene in Raging Bull where Jake LaMotta is in jail and he begins to punch the walls, wow, just so heartbreaking. The reason I love that film is it makes an almost detestable man likeable, which, in my opinion, is one of the hardest things a director could do without changing the story completely.

Two beautiful scenes in two Terrence Malick films; the house fire in Badlands and the plague of locust in Days of Heaven.

Oh and I know it's been mentioned but the death of Baty in Blade Runner, very moving stuff.

[–]madamimadamimadam 1 point2 points ago

The final 6 minutes of Kubrick's Paths of Glory. It's actually two beautiful scenes back-to-back. Makes for a fantastic one-two punch. Some of Kirk Douglas' best work.

[–]prezuiwf 1 point2 points ago

There's a scene in Schindler's List where a group of female prisoners is accidentally transported to Auschwitz. While they are caught up in the commotion, suddenly one of them notices all their children being carted away, to be separated from them. As the children wave to their mothers, there is dead silence... followed by an ungodly shrieking as thousands of hysterical women rush over to try to save their children, or at least see them one last time. Easily the most breathtaking and heart-wrenching shot I've ever seen in any movie, done masterfully by Spielberg.

Really, the entire Auschwitz sequence was just beautiful. The shower scene was also just chilling. What an incredible film.

[–]1stonrmovie 0 points1 point ago

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted, but the Ode to Joy scene from Immortal Beloved. stick with it

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[–]donnerpartyof1 1 point2 points ago

The end of "Synecdoche, New York".

"The specifics hardly matter, everyone is everyone."

[–]stpn47 1 point2 points ago

Sunshine. When Cillian Murphy and the captain go out to fix the shield. The music and the overall atmosphere of that scene was absolutely amazing.

[–]aesop232186 0 points1 point ago

Skip at the end of Lords Of Dogtown (Maggie May), probably not super beautiful, but really feel good.

[–]Camaxtli 0 points1 point ago

It's frantic, but along with the baby crying in the war zone scene, there was this... Children of Men

[–]IAMA_redditor 1 point2 points ago

The opening scene in "Once Upon A Time In The West" is beautifully deliberate, from the perfect actors to the perfect set to the scene's perfect pacing.

So is Tarantino's opening to "Inglorious Basterds" (sorry, couldn't find a link) the whole sequence from the father chopping wood through the interrogation is just great film-making.

[–]Ouroboros_87 0 points1 point ago

Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) Guns down John Rooney (Paul Newman) for the death of his son in "The Road to Perdition".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK7hBG4xQhQ

[–]suck_it_gil 0 points1 point ago

The scene in band of brothers where the German General addresses his troops and proclaims his respect and honor that he has for the men.

[–]boodabomb 1 point2 points ago

The end of sunshine, when capa seed his bomb in action and gets to bask in it for less than a second

[–]360walkaway 1 point2 points ago

Maybe not THE MOST beautiful ever, but my favorite is in V For Vendetta when Delia Surridge dies.

Video here.

[–]ih8karma 1 point2 points ago

What dreams may come the scene of him being in a living, breathing painting was like something I have never seen before, the colors in those scene were out of this world. Truly a work of art.

[–]dezmodez 0 points1 point ago

I don't know if anyone has ever seen it, but in War of the Buttons, when the kids are charging at each other in the fight, it really got to me. I loved the whole movie.

[–]Wu_Banga101 1 point2 points ago

helicopter scene in Apocalypse Now with Duvall

[–]rabble_fud 0 points1 point ago

Bladerunner - Roy's last moments and he says "all those memories will be lost like tears in the rain" and then the dove is released from his grasp as he passes.

[–]Strategic_Management 1 point2 points ago

The scene in Forrest Gump when Jenny asks:"Were you scared in Vietnam"? Forrest replies: "Yes. Well, I-I don't know. Sometimes it would stop raining long enough for the stars to come out... and then it was nice. It was like just before the sun goes to bed down on the bayou. There was always a million sparkles on the water... like that mountain lake. It was so clear, Jenny, it looked like there were two skies one on top of the other. And then in the desert, when the sun comes up, I couldn't tell where heaven stopped and the earth began. It's so beautiful".

The narrative combined with the imagery, plus the fact that as the audience we have been there with him but have not seen those images yet, was truly jaw dropping.

[–]hvonn 0 points1 point ago

Board walk empire, most recent season fanale where Nucky shoots Jimmy, that speech Jimmy gives to Nucky was gut wrenching and beautiful in its own way

[–]scorpious 1 point2 points ago

Some great choices here. I'm going to go strictly visual and say the 'dream world' sequences in Tarsem's The Cell. Especially this scene.

[–]WinterInJapan 0 points1 point ago

The final scene of Mind Game.

[–]SemiSeriousSam 0 points1 point ago

The closing scenes in Last of the Mohicans, where Daniel Day Lewis runs up the cliff to save Madeline Stowe. The music, scenery, intense acting, it all was just perfect.

[–]paidijones 1 point2 points ago

the part when winona ryder is dancing in the snow that edward is creating from ice sculpting

[–]apaulo13 1 point2 points ago

The last words in Fight Club...You met me at a very strange time in my life

[–]bolshevikcereal 0 points1 point ago

When the world is reduced to a grain of sand in The NeverEnding Story. Fucking onions.

[–]maxjag 1 point2 points ago

This to me is one of the most beautiful scenes ever ... from Cinema Paradiso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TflvNm22cpk

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

The sequence leading up to the climax in The Fountain.

[–]Jeffrey_Beaumont 0 points1 point ago

This scene from Love Is Colder Than Death get me every time.

[–]regularbean 1 point2 points ago

In V for Vendetta when Evey is reading the letter written by Valerie Page. It gets me every time, and the way Evey kisses the note, it's just beautiful. Here's a quote of my favorite part, and a link to the whole thing:

I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch.

But one.

An inch.

It is small and it is fragile, and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.

I hope that - whoever you are - you escape this place. I hope that the world turns, and that things get better.

But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you, and even though I may not meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you: I love you.

With all my heart.

I love you.

[–]ciaranj617 0 points1 point ago

Train ride in Spirited Away, I watch that scene all the time.

[–]paper_zoe 0 points1 point ago

The ending of City Lights always makes me cry.

[–]wallab6 0 points1 point ago

Every single shot from Barry Lyndon is like a painting, so beautiful!

[–]joshuamassre 0 points1 point ago

My favorite movie is Once Upon a Time in America. There is a scene where Noodles (one of the main characters), watches the girl he has a massive crush on dancing. The music that plays is amazing and it's one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever watched.

[–]thetaprime 1 point2 points ago*

Sunshine, where Cappa is standing between the quantum field and the blast of nuclear fire from the sun, looking at his hand in wonder as he reaches out and stands safe between the two. Then the scene fades out as the quantum device becomes active. Then the scene changes to a dim snowy scene outside of the Sydney opera house where the earth grows bright again as Cappa's sister views his last message. chills

[–]Vitalstatistix 1 point2 points ago

The scene in Schindler's List near the end when the saved Jews present a ring made from their own gold fillings inscribed with "He who saves one life, saves the world entire" (paraphrased quote from the Talmud).

It is absolutely perfect in conveying how horrible, and how amazing the whole story is.

[–]DICE821 1 point2 points ago

No one will probably agree but the scene in Requiem For a Dream when Harry talks with Marion over the phone one last time

[–]Fintann 0 points1 point ago

The very ending of Magnolia with Melora Walter's smile

[–]snixy 0 points1 point ago

The opening scene to Tokyo Sonata, when rain is pouring in through an open door while some of the opening credits are displayed, and Megumi goes and tries to clean it up with a rag, then just stops, sits back, and lets it roll in and across the floor.

[–]JayJay729 0 points1 point ago

[–]Toast_One_Seven 1 point2 points ago

Alien: the shot of the massive Nostromo, appearing so tiny and alone against the backdrop of the massive planets and moons (the last shot of the original trailer).

American Graffiti: heading out to the final showdown with "Green Onions" playing.

[–]Heimlich_Maneuver 0 points1 point ago

The scene in crouching tiger, hidden dragon when they chase/fight/dance with one another.

[–]santiagoeag 0 points1 point ago

the dance scene in wall-e its just pure magic

[–]SquirtleBoy 0 points1 point ago

Don't know about all time, but last year the montage in Drive where the guy drove the girl and her kid to the creek was beautiful.

[–]theWanderlust 1 point2 points ago

I agree with most of these, but my favorite has been left out:

From "Princess Mononoke", when Ashitaka stops the fight between San and lady Eboshi.

"There's a demon inside you. Its inside both of you. Look everyone, this is what hatred looks like; this is what it does when it catches hold of you. Its eating me alive, and very soon now it will kill me."

I think that scene sums up what the movie has to say about human nature and balance in life.

[–]thebrownman1 0 points1 point ago

I would say from a movie I've seen only mentioned once so far: What Dreams May Come. The scene where a painting she draws after his death shows up in his dream heaven and the "Doc" realizes they're soulmates. Gives me goosebumps.

[–]jai_kasavin 0 points1 point ago

I like the wet horse being craned out of the river in The Fall.

[–]SyntheticDiz 0 points1 point ago

The ending of Mr. Nobody. Leaves me crying my eyes out every goddamn time.

[–]jmsc[!] 0 points1 point ago

"But inside doesn't matter."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__BBylQ6srM

[–]RedditShmedit 0 points1 point ago

The scene in Amélie when she is crossing the blind man across the street, and when she gives the man his old toy box.

[–]nidi617 0 points1 point ago

All of The Tree of Life. Especially the space shots.

[–]themanfrommars101 0 points1 point ago

The scene is Cast Away where Tom Hanks' character Chuck, leaves the island and turns around to take one last look at it before it is swallowed up by the clouds. This is the scene where we hear Alan Silvestri's score for the first time which makes it 2x more beautiful. I love it because by Chuck's expression you can see that even though he was trapped on that island for 4 years it still became a big part of his life.

[–]Helen_Damnation 0 points1 point ago

Easily - The movie "Ink" when the Pathfinder (Jacob) initiates the whole flowing street scene while "conducting" and counting 1-2-3. That scene brings chills and tears every time I watch it.