Movies Defined By One Scene

[Classic Speedy]

So I watched Ghost (1990) today- I'd never seen it before and the only thing I knew going in was the famous pottery scene that's been referenced and parodied. The funny thing is, that scene is probably only a minute of screen time. There's a LOT more to the movie than just some Patrick Swayze ghost seducing Demi Moore while she does pottery.

Now I know what you're thinking: "No duh, that'd be a pretty thin movie if that's all it was." But that's the scene everyone remembers, and what everyone first brings up whenever this movie is referenced or parodied.

I'll give you another example. A little older. From Here to Eternity. Scene everyone remembers? A couple passionately kissing on the beach while waves wash over them. Again, that's only about thirty seconds. The main movie takes place on a military barracks, which you wouldn't know if you only have knowledge of that famous scene.

Then there's The Crying Game. Everyone and their grandma knows about the gender reveal. But there's a lot more that happens after that moment. But that's all anyone who isn't a film critic or movie buff knows about it, to the point where some assume the whole movie is about a gender reveal, when it isn't.

What are some examples you can think of where you watch a movie, only knowing about its most famous scene, and are surprised how the movie subverted your expectations?

 

[Pooky]

Scanners (1981) and the exploding head scene

 

[Space Cadet]

Scarface with his "say hello to my little friend" scene.

 

[Dantheman]

Chariots of Fire, with the beach running scene set to Vangelis' music.

It was parodied to heck and back in the '80s.

 

[stephane dumas]

The flying DeLorean at the end of Back to the Future where Doc Brown said "We're we going, we don't need roads".

Duel, when we said that old dusty Peterbuilt truck appearing in the beginning of the movie, you guessed there was more than meet the eyes and the truck driver is up to something not good.

Police Academy, when Larwell Jones (Michael Winslow) appear for the first time doing some good sounds imitation at the police precint.

 

[Fone Bone]

Pink Flamingos. I've never seen it but I know the last scene. Let's leave it there.

 

[Yojimbo]

Enter The Dragon: "Boards don't hit back" then just owning O'Hara. That kick that hurled O'Hara into the spectators was just blew my mind when I saw it as a child.

 

[Peter Paltridge]

Risky Business has the one shot of Cruise skating across the floor sideways to "Old Time Rock And Roll" and....that's all most people know about it.

 

[Classic Speedy]

Pink Flamingos. I've never seen it but I know the last scene. Let's leave it there.

You're not missing much. I only made it through half of that movie before walking out.

 

[Fone Bone]

You're not missing much. I only made it through half of that movie before walking out.

It's not a film I could ever watch. As a public persona and talk show guest John Waters is delightful. As a filmmaker I avoid his work at all costs.

 

[Pooky]

In 1985 a not inconsiderable amount of people went to see a film with that shiny new PG-13 rating called Ghoulies, being promised a "Gremlins-type" romp (sources vary on to what extent it was or wasn't a rip-off) by a humorous image from the poster and TV spots which featured one of the little tykes popping out of the toilet, accompanied by the tagline "They'll get you in the end". Those who turned up were generally disappointed to find a slow, cheap and rather nasty film, even/much less appropriate for children than Gremlins, that didn't seem in keeping with the advertisement. But 40 years later I think all pretty much anyone remembers about the film is that single image. Heck, I think the only thing anyone remembers about all 4 of the Ghoulies movies is that image. They probably don't even remember that the first co-stars a young Mariska Hargitay or that the second had a tie-in music video by the band W.A.S.P.!

 

[Classic Speedy]

Here's another one: Flashdance. All everyone remembers from the movie is the "She's a MANIAC, MANIAC, on the floooor!" followed by dumping water on herself. Again, there's a lot more to the movie than those bits.

 

[Golden Geek]

Basic Instinct isn't a scene as much as it is a single second.

 

[Classic Speedy]

Basic Instinct isn't a scene as much as it is a single second.

Why, whatever scene could you be referring to? Oh right, this one...

 

[Darklordavaitor]

Some Like it Hot may be Marilyn Monroe’s most beloved movie, but Jack Lemmon has its most iconic scene, at the very end. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil the punchline.

The flying DeLorean at the end of Back to the Future where Doc Brown said "We're we going, we don't need roads".

I feel like Back to the Future is remembered for more than just that scene.

 

[stephane dumas]

I feel like Back to the Future is remembered for more than just that scene.

And the same could be said about Tommy Boy, it's hard to choose between the scenes where Chris Farley and David Spade sing the Carpenters Supertar, when the deer destroy the car and when Chris Farley sing "Fat guy in a little coat". ^_^;

 

[Mejo]

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 - GARBAGE DAY

Independence Day - The aliens' destruction of the White House

Rocky - Rocky running up those stairs

The Empire Strikes Back:

Spoiler

NO I AM YOUR FATHER

 

[Fone Bone]

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 - GARBAGE DAY

Independence Day - The aliens' destruction of the White House

Rocky - Rocky running up those stairs

The Empire Strikes Back:

Spoiler

NO I AM YOUR FATHER

The latter three films are known for more than one scene.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Kindergarten Cop can be defined by the "SHUT UP!" scene IMO.

 

[Mejo]

The latter three films are known for more than one scene.

Yeah, I know. It's just mostly the first thing that comes to mind from them.