The film that holds a fairly consistent No. 1 spot in my affections is "Once Upon a Time in the West" -- and the scene mentioned earlier in which Claudia Cardinale steps out of a train into her new, challenging, and potentially tragic life is my favorite scene in the film. Morricone and Leone elevate the scene into sheer poetry. Even friends who hate westerns to whom I have shown the film always comment on how overwhelming that scene is. From the moment she steps down, to the moment her horse-drawn carriage pulls into a way-station...well that's what I would pick.
This is Cinerama when the black and white prolog finishes and the curtain opens and opens to reveal the full size Cinerama screen and the rollercoaster ride. That cemented my love for large screen presentations with stereo sound.
Bill, I’m breaking the rules and adding several scenes.
The lead up to and shootout in Mapache's cantina from the Wild Bunch. Totally agree with Bill so now he can’t chastise me.
I agree with mgh’s scene from the Magnificent Seven. I love the music when they ride back into town from the cemetery.
Jenk’s “I could have saved more,” from Schindler’s List is superb and one of my favorites.
I adore the scene from Forrest Gump when he finds out that he has a child and asks the mother, “Is..is he stupid?” Hanks is magnificent in that scene.
Hanks is also superb in a scene from Philadelphia Story when he plays the opera while moving hooked up to an IV. Denzel finally sees Hank’s humanity.
Finally, I am sick that Spielberg’s West Side Story didn’t draw a huge audience. It is a magnificent movie chock full of stunning scenes. I especially love the opening when the Jets beak out into dance, the dance at the gym, and the dance and singing during America.
