The Greatest Film Ending of All Time

Tref · 07-12-2007, 02:04 PM

Which film has the greatest ending of all time? I am not looking for a list so much as just one film and the reason why you feel it most deserving.

I would pick Chaplin’s The Circus. The ending is simple and bittersweet – the Little Tramp, selflessly letting go of the girl he loved so that she could be with the one she loved, sits alone in the center of what had been the ring. A scrap of paper – a remnant from the girl’s horseback riding act – is at his feet. The tattered paper with a star in the center represents everything he lost; fame, hope for the future and the girl he loved. He picks it up, crumbles it into a ball, and kicks it backward. Then, the solitary figure, straightening himself up, shakes off his past and walks away from us into the morning light and an uncertain future.

Chaplin, of course, used this image often (and even satirised it in his dark comedy, Monsieur Verdoux) but never was used to such a brilliant effect. Perhaps, the single loneliest image in film and for me, the greatest of all time.

To see clip, click here

By the way, the clip was filmed in Glendale, CA., approx. the spot where Woodrow Wilson Middle School is to-day.

You know my pick, but I do not know yours. Pray tell.

Morrigoon · 07-12-2007, 02:08 PM

Wow... haven't seen that particuar one, but I was going to nominate a similar silent film starring Lon Chaney - can't remember the film's name, but he plays a thief who pretends to be an armless knife throwing sideshow act, falls in love with a girl who is afraid to be held by a man. He loves her so much, in fact, that he goes to a surgeon to get his arms actually removed lest she discover his ruse, and while he's recovering she gets over it and falls in love with the man she was afraid to be held by. He gives her up and has to live the rest of his life w/out arms.

Strangler Lewis · 07-12-2007, 02:35 PM

Night of the Living Dead (original)

flippyshark · 07-12-2007, 02:38 PM

Soylent Green, baby!

Okay, not really.

Oh, and Morrigoon is thinking of The Unknown (1927) - The object of Lon's affections? None other than Joan Crawford!

DreadPirateRoberts · 07-12-2007, 02:41 PM

I like the end of "The Searchers", the way they use the doorway and the shadows.

innerSpaceman · 07-12-2007, 02:51 PM

the original Planet of the Apes has a great ending.

I can't call it, or any, the best. But I'd be happy to suggest candidates as they occur to me.

Chernabog · 07-12-2007, 03:00 PM

My favorite is still The Godfather. That look of utter horrific realization in Diane Keaton's eyes as the door closes had me utterly stunned.

Morrigoon · 07-12-2007, 03:09 PM

"Jungle red!"

(^^^ what I was expecting Cherny to say)

Kevy Baby · 07-12-2007, 03:37 PM

Slight tangent, but I oft think of my favorite OPENING to a film: Desperado. Steve Buscemi is bloody brilliant in this opening. Fun film!

mousepod · 07-12-2007, 05:09 PM

Blade Runner (the director's cut), Brazil, Fight Club...

07-12-2007, 02:04 PM	#1
Tref Not Tref Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,188	The Greatest Film Ending of All Time Which film has the greatest ending of all time? I am not looking for a list so much as just one film and the reason why you feel it most deserving. I would pick Chaplin’s The Circus. The ending is simple and bittersweet – the Little Tramp, selflessly letting go of the girl he loved so that she could be with the one she loved, sits alone in the center of what had been the ring. A scrap of paper – a remnant from the girl’s horseback riding act – is at his feet. The tattered paper with a star in the center represents everything he lost; fame, hope for the future and the girl he loved. He picks it up, crumbles it into a ball, and kicks it backward. Then, the solitary figure, straightening himself up, shakes off his past and walks away from us into the morning light and an uncertain future. Chaplin, of course, used this image often (and even satirised it in his dark comedy, Monsieur Verdoux) but never was used to such a brilliant effect. Perhaps, the single loneliest image in film and for me, the greatest of all time. To see clip, click here By the way, the clip was filmed in Glendale, CA., approx. the spot where Woodrow Wilson Middle School is to-day. You know my pick, but I do not know yours. Pray tell. __________________ Tref3.0 Listen in aural 3-D to Pop's muzak! (New songs added semi-bi-daily) j & j Did you know that Emas eht yltcaxe is exactly the same spelled backwards?!
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07-12-2007, 02:08 PM	#2
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Wow... haven't seen that particuar one, but I was going to nominate a similar silent film starring Lon Chaney - can't remember the film's name, but he plays a thief who pretends to be an armless knife throwing sideshow act, falls in love with a girl who is afraid to be held by a man. He loves her so much, in fact, that he goes to a surgeon to get his arms actually removed lest she discover his ruse, and while he's recovering she gets over it and falls in love with the man she was afraid to be held by. He gives her up and has to live the rest of his life w/out arms. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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07-12-2007, 02:35 PM	#3
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Night of the Living Dead (original) __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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07-12-2007, 02:38 PM	#4
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Soylent Green, baby! Okay, not really. Oh, and Morrigoon is thinking of The Unknown (1927) - The object of Lon's affections? None other than Joan Crawford!
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07-12-2007, 02:41 PM	#5
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	I like the end of "The Searchers", the way they use the doorway and the shadows.
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07-12-2007, 02:51 PM	#6
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	the original Planet of the Apes has a great ending. I can't call it, or any, the best. But I'd be happy to suggest candidates as they occur to me.
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07-12-2007, 03:00 PM	#7
Chernabog Biophage Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Moon Posts: 2,679	My favorite is still The Godfather. That look of utter horrific realization in Diane Keaton's eyes as the door closes had me utterly stunned. __________________ And they say back then our universe Was a coal black egg Until the god inside Burst out and from its shattered shell He made what became the world we know ~ Bjork (Cosmogony)
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07-12-2007, 03:09 PM	#8
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	"Jungle red!" (^^^ what I was expecting Cherny to say) __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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07-12-2007, 03:37 PM	#9
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Slight tangent, but I oft think of my favorite OPENING to a film: Desperado. Steve Buscemi is bloody brilliant in this opening. Fun film! __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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07-12-2007, 05:09 PM	#10
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Blade Runner (the director's cut), Brazil, Fight Club... __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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