Monday, August 4, 2008

Top 10 Movie Speeches and Monologues

A few days ago I came across an interesting list, presenting the top 35 speeches in history. Of course, the list can be debated for ever and more, but it also reminded me of a different kind of speeches - those we see in the movies.

A good speech or a dramatic monologue can be the pivotal point of a movie, and if it's well done - can really raise goose bumps. There are quite a few lists out there that present top speeches in movies, so allow me to add mine to the mix.

Here are my Top 10 Movie Speeches and Monologues, in no particular order (I only numbered them so you can see there are ten speeches).


#10
Braveheart - The Freedom Speech: Although I don't care much for Mel Gibson these days, Braveheart was a good movie. The speech William Wallace gives in front of the Scots before going to battle is dramatic and moving.



Braveheart Freedom Speech - The funniest bloopers are right here


#9
A Few Good Men - You can't handle the truth: You can't ignore this monologue. It comes at a crucial point in the film and it is performed marvelously by the all-mighty Jack Nicholson. And of course, the quote "You can't handle the truth" has become widely popular.




#8
Good Will Hunting - The Bar Scene: Matt Damon let's a cocky student have it, and does it in a very cool way.




#7
Life of Brian - We are all individuals: This speech mocks a lot of things, and that's mainly why it's so hilarious and cool.




#6
Team America - The world explained in Dicks, Pussies and Assholes: I was just recently introduced to this speech, which is very funny, rude and to the point. "Sometimes pussies get so full of shit that they become assholes themselves". HA!




#5
Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragaron's speech at the black gate: I adore the LOTR books and movies. Viggo Mortensen was amazing as Aragorn and this speech makes him mighty and kingly to the max.




#4
Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - King Theoden's speech before the charge of the rohirrim: I told you I love LOTR, didn't I?




#3
The Princess Bride - To the pain: Only Westley can be so cool, ironic, rude and sleek in the face of death.




#2
Independence Day - The president's speech: When the future of mankind is on the line, everything is dramatic and thrilling.




#1
Tootsie - Emily Kimberly reveals it all: Dustin Hoffman is an amazing actor, and this role was one of the best he ever played. Here, in an "improvised" monologue, he shocks everybody into understanding who he really is.





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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Loved the collection, though I think it started better than it ended.
How about the devil's advocate? that had some amazing dialogues.

Anonymous said...

forgot the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGR4SFOimlk

Revital Salomon said...

Thanks Yuval, I don't think I ever saw that movie in full, that's why I didn't include it :)

Oren Tsur said...

well, there is this brilliantly funny speech by Jack Nicholson in the Withces of Eastwick - "the woman - a mistake or did he make it to us on purpose... you don`t think God makes mistakes...? of course He does... we all make mistakes... of course, if we make mistakes they call it evil, when God makes mistakes they call it "nature"...".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhiz63BbWtY

and this speech, the highlight of the movie is absent from the book.

Anonymous said...

My favourite is Spencer Tracy in "Inherit The Wind"

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNdYsoool8

An old and somewhat naive film, but Spencer Tracy is still as great as ever.

Unknown said...

I have two words for you: PULP FICTION.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR9Tn0AUyFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE9Qm8mShik

Anonymous said...

What About Al Paccino's specch from "City Hall"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arNYCyTJ-DM

Unknown said...

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http://israblog.nana10.co.il/blogread.asp?blog=41853&blogcode=9871634

erankatz said...

you forgot this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z48Y0sQzxxs

Al Pacino for "And justice for all"

Anonymous said...

s you rightly hinted, debated forever and a day,...my two bits; Al Pacino, Scent of a woman,"Makers of men..be careful what men you make..." and Alec Baldwin, Malice..."I am God"

Fantastic Forrest said...

The original list and the additions are all superb; may we just expand it to top 20? If this is agreeable, I would like to strongly recommend the final monologue by Spencer Tracy in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? That man sure knew how to hold the floor. And the writing is superb. Most touching are the tears in Hepburn's eyes as she listens to him and watches him. He died shortly after this film was made.