tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6332525178317601464.post6501161995240929031..comments2023-11-05T01:59:43.451-08:00Comments on Windmills of My Mind: Great Cinematic Speeches: JawsDamian Arlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07937513879456460221noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6332525178317601464.post-15858039784572026302007-08-15T23:08:00.000-07:002007-08-15T23:08:00.000-07:00Don't know if it's truly a 'speech' as defined her...Don't know if it's truly a 'speech' as defined here but Wilford Brimley's speech at the end of China Syndrome (and the 'tv-mute' scene that caps it) is one of the strongest I will ever recall. It had me in tears - a sense of relief after seeing such wickedness triumph. I felt like Brimley was lifting away the veil from this cuckoo-land of people actually thinking it's OK to cover their ass in a shoddy nuclear reactor.<BR/><BR/>Quint's is definitely #1 though. You don't mention it in your essay, but did you know that Shaw himself pushed for the speech? IIRC, the final version of the speech is mostly his own doing. How amazing!JMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16527612988543040489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6332525178317601464.post-69253565056407803892007-08-14T07:28:00.000-07:002007-08-14T07:28:00.000-07:00The opening speech from "Patton" may be the greate...The opening speech from "Patton" may be the greatest of all time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6332525178317601464.post-83967950070743285162007-01-07T02:10:00.000-08:002007-01-07T02:10:00.000-08:00I think you're right, Tuck, and one of the things ...I think you're right, Tuck, and one of the things that helps contribute to that "scary story" aspect you mentioned is Williams' music. It is not necessarily "scary" here, as it is so often in the rest of the film. I find it more eerie and unsettling (especially the "moaning" sound he creates with the strings).<br /><br />The <i>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</i> speech is a great choice. I tear up everytime I watch it.<br /><br />Confession time: I have not yet seen <i>Schizopolis</i> or <i>Last Picture Show. </i>(GASP! SHOCK!) I know. I know... and I call myself a "cinephile." :(Damian Arlynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07937513879456460221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6332525178317601464.post-60522979797023571222007-01-06T20:09:00.000-08:002007-01-06T20:09:00.000-08:00Damian, that's also one of my favorite speeches in...Damian, that's also one of my favorite speeches in any film, and maybe my favorite moment in Jaws. Along with what you said, the scene also feels a little like a scary story being told around a campfire – in this case, letting the audience have a chance to "catch their breath" while planting more seeds for coming attractions.<br /><br />For others, I could say the obvious, like Jimmy Stewart in <i>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</i>, but I'll pick two less remembered ones: Steven Soderbergh in the opening scene from <i>Schizopolis</i> (1996) and Ben Johnson's speech in <i>The Last Picture Show</i> (1971) when he and the boys are out at the fishing hole. Neither are real long, but they are both wonderful in their own way.<br /><br />For whatever reason, I just have to put in the introductory speech from Schizopolis:<br /><br />"And action.<br /><br />Ladies and gentlemen, young and old... this may seem an unusual procedure... speaking to you before the picture begins... but we have an unusual subject.<br /><br />When I say that this is the most important motion picture you will ever attend... my motivation is not financial gain... but a firm belief that the delicate fabric that holds all of us together... will be ripped apart unless every man, woman and child in this country... sees this film and pays full ticket price... not some bargain matinee, cut-rate deal.<br /><br />In the event that you find certain sequences or ideas confusing... please bear in mind that this is your fault, not ours. You will need to see the picture again and again until you understand everything.<br /><br />In closing, I want to assure you... that no expense was incurred... bringing this motion picture to your theater. And now, filmed in its entirety...and proven to heal minor cuts and abrasions... we proudly present <i>Schizopolis</i>.!"Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11561135235230975798noreply@blogger.com