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Your Favourite Ending to a Film

WillyGaloreWillyGalore
edited April 2014 in General Movies & TV Posts: 6,396
Whilst discussing the ending to 1989's Batman, it gave me an idea for this thread. There is a Favourite Scenes Thread but this is specifically for final scenes.

Which end scenes do you absolutely adore? Are they endings which leave you shocked to the core? Do they make you want to punch the air in delight?

Some of mine:

Godfather Part II
- Michael sat all alone as he's left to ponder on achieving absolute power whilst simultaneously losing his family and his soul.
Batman
- Danny Elfman's cue as Batman looks over Gotham is an absolute triumph.
Don't Look Now
- The penny drops for Donald Sutherland just a tad too late...
The Whicker Man
- Edward Woodward learns the truth and gazes upon the horrific fate that awaits him.
Casino Royale
- 'Nuff said.
Heat
- Pacino and DeNiro hold hands...
Memento
- The final piece of the puzzle is put into place and everything becomes clear.
The Long Good Friday
- Hoskins shows off his acting chops by not saying a single word, all the while as a baby faced Brosnan points a gun at him.
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Comments

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I would love to engage with this thread, but I think it's best if spoiler tags were utilized for the benefit of everyone who may not have seen certain films.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    In terms of a shock ending one of my favourites has to be Se7en. It's grim but my god its brilliant.
  • WillyGaloreWillyGalore
    Posts: 6,396
    That's a fair point @0Brady. I've amended my post.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    edited April 2014 Posts: 24,183
    No spoilers here.

    2001: A Space Odyssey
    The star child does it every time.

    Casino Royale
    This is Darth Dimi in 2006: GIMME MORE OF THIS BOND RIGHT NOW!

    Invasion Of The Body Snatchers '78
    Sends chills down my spine every single time.

    The Dark Knight
    "A watchful protector. A Dark Knight." ----> (bring in Zimmer's percussion) "Directed by Christopher Nolan"
    Better than sex.

    Dawn Of The Dead '78
    Peter makes the right decision after all. Okay, let's hear the Goblin score over the end titles now.

    Terminator 2: Judgement Day
    Bye bye, terminator. Man, almost makes me cry, this.

    E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
    Yeah I know, I'm an adult now. Sorry, most heart-warming ending to any film. Blame it on Spielberg and his manipulative style. But I love the man's work, and E.T. is the one film of his I consider the best.

    Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
    With so much anticipation built for the third film, I'm glad I didn't have to suffer through 3 years of waiting in '80.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    @willygalore. I haven't seen The Long Good Friday but I already knew how it ended. What's Brosnan like in it?
  • WillyGaloreWillyGalore
    Posts: 6,396
    BAIN123 wrote:
    @willygalore. I haven't seen The Long Good Friday but I already knew how it ended. What's Brosnan like in it?

    He has no lines of dialogue whatsoever. In other words, he's perfect. ;-)
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    edited April 2014 Posts: 14,584
    Back to the Future ---> Part III
    Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one. Both of ya!
    Return of the Jedi
    ain't no party like an Ewok party
    Licence to Kill
    Felix is smiling, Winky is winking, el presidente is smiling with his winky
  • QsAssistantQsAssistant All those moments lost in time... like tears in rain
    Posts: 1,812
    The Last Samurai
    One of my favorite movies and a great ending. A bit of an emotional one but overall happy.

    Return of the Jedi
    Our heroes win and stand together for our finale shot while beautiful music is playing in the background (rerelease version). Makes me want to go back and watch the saga all over again.

    Skyfall
    We finally get Q, Moneypenny, and a new M. The last line gets me pumped up for the next Bond adventure.
  • OHMSS69OHMSS69
    Posts: 2,341
    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
    Something about this just always excites me. I always loved this ending.

    The Godfather

    The King's Speech
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,801
    Army Of Darkness (Theatrical)- Leaves the biggest smile on my face possible.

    Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home- A bit of an uneven movie, but best ending of any Trek film IMHO.

    Escape From LA- say what you like about the humour in that one, the finale is the single biggest OTT anti-hero statement ever.

    The Sting- You just have to see it.

    Jaws- the end credits are just so peaceful.

    Licence To Kill- A genuine Felix lighter. OMG.

    The Road Home- Reduces me to tears. Beautiful.

    Blade Runner- Not engaging your brain is not an option here.

    Vanishing Point- There are no words. @-)
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    edited April 2014 Posts: 12,837
    Scarface. "Say ello to ma little friend!". Epic, powerful, action packed ending to a great film.

    The Wicker Man. Really creepy and what a painful way to go. I also quite like the ending to the Nick Cage version because of the comedy value. "Not the bees!!!!"

    Inception. I liked the ambiguous ending.

    First Blood. That speech at the end is the best Stallone has ever been and proof (if Rocky wasn't proof enough) that he can act.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    Since, somewhat surprisingly, no one has mentioned it already, I'll do it:

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service

  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited April 2014 Posts: 17,801
    thelivingroyale wrote:
    First Blood. That speech at the end is the best Stallone has ever been and proof (if Rocky wasn't proof enough) that he can act.
    Yes, dramatic & riveting.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Many good picks here. Some more:

    THE OTHERS
    LOOPER
    APOCALYPSE NOW
    INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS(1956!)
  • yogi1yogi1
    Posts: 94
    Shawshank ?
  • yogi1yogi1
    Posts: 94
    Ooo and Last Crusade !! if only they'd left it there.
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    Before Sunset has probably my favourite ending to a film ever. Godfather II and Lawrence are right up there though.
  • Master_DaharkMaster_Dahark
    edited April 2014 Posts: 4,813
    Agree with many of the above- I'll add Gladiator
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    Before Sunset has probably my favourite ending to a film ever. Godfather II and Lawrence are right up there though.

    LAWRENCE WHAT, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA????

    fullmetaljacketbdcap11.jpg

  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,801
    Master_Dahark wrote:
    Agree with many of the above- I'll add Gladiator
    Tissues, tissues...
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    Posts: 7,314
    DarthDimi wrote:
    2001: A Space Odyssey

    Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

    chrisisall wrote:
    Blade Runner
    thelivingroyale wrote:
    Scarface.

    These would be mine. Nice picks gentlemen.
  • TillyTilly
    edited April 2014 Posts: 28
    The dark knight..........."A watchful guardian, a silent protector.......just like my wife" ;)) Better then sex, tissues, tissues gentlemen. and who can forget the spy who loved me. No country for old men.
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    edited April 2014 Posts: 5,745
    Casino Royale - This is the Bond I've read about ;)

    Skyfall - It just feels so right.

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service - *through tears* Is this still a Bond film?

    Inception - The ambiguous ending (which isn't even that ambiguous) doesn't matter. Cobb is happy finally. Perfect ending.

    The Dark Knight - Chills. Chills every time. Every. Time. No other film can do that for me.

    The Dark Knight Rises - A comic book movie made me tear up.

    The Prestige - Wait, what? Props for actually going there.

    The American     - Props for properly depicting a realistic depressing ending. Makes the movie for me.

    The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly     - How has this not been mentioned?

    Gravity - Totally thought it was set up for a sequel to be titled:
    Malaria wherein we watch two hours of Stone trying to signal for and find help while surviving in the rain forest.

  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    Magnum Force "A man's got to know his limitations"

    The Enforcer "Maxwell!"

    Batman 1989 "He gave us this signal!"

    The Fugitive "Richard, it's time to stop running!"

    Die Hard "I hope that wasn't a hostage."

    The French Connection "You shot Mulderig."

    Bullit- "Frank, we must all compromise."
  • WillyGaloreWillyGalore
    Posts: 6,396
    Some fantastic choices here. Making me wanting to watch a lot of these again now. :-bd
  • identigraphidentigraph
    Posts: 1,052
    The Thing - love the ending, best final line ever.

    Big Trouble in Little China - Jack Burton does his thing.

    Live and Let Die - Love the fight on the train and Baron Samedi sat on the train.

    The Burbs - love the final scenes of this film, somebody must love this film on here please?

    Great Escape - Love Mcqueen being back where he belongs bouncing that ball.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,008
    Fight Club

    "You met me at a very strange time in my life..."

    Bye Bye skyscrapers....cue The Pixies...
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    SPECTRE

    Have to add this one. First the best line that Craig ever uttered: I'm out of bullets
    Then him walking into the "sunset" with Swann.
    And then the perfectness that is him driving away with Swann in the most iconic car ever.
    And the music starts playing....

    Greatness. Truly.


  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    My favorite ending to a movie would have to be 'Whiplash.' The entire film built up to this particular moment, and it did nothing but exceed my already large expectations.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    edited September 2016 Posts: 12,473
    Let's see...

    The Godfather Part II: From the incredibly bleak climax to the final flashback of how things used to be, the ending of this film delivers a very powerful punch. The first and third movies also have great endings, but Part II's sticks with me the most.
    The Dark Knight: Just a classic. Great final montage, and just a good, unconventional ending. Doesn't hurt it's my favorite movie.
    The Dark Knight Rises: IMO, incredibly satisfying ending to an amazing trilogy. Though Dark Knight is better overall, I just love the ending to Rises; gives me chills.
    The Lion King: As full circle as it comes! Always have loved Disney animation, and Lion King is my favorite. Wonderful ending to a wonderful film.
    Paths of Glory: This ending is for all those who doubt Kubrick's ability to tug on heartstrings. It was such a perfect ending to a terrific film, and it stayed with me long after watching. The soldiers' sad humming bringing hope for humanity back to Col. Dax... It's something that has to be watched.
    Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Great, great finish (what should have been the finish for the whole Indiana Jones series). Indy's last few conversations with his father and the ride into the sunset - great stuff.
    Jaws: Oh man, this one was good. Few moments satisfied me more than one Brody blew up that shark. As Brody reunites with Hooper, it's the perfect ending. The best thing above all is John Williams' brilliant score.
    Big Fish: Tim Burton's finest hour IMO. A really beautiful, fitting ending, going from Will's last scene with his father to the funeral. Great stuff.
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service: A heartbreaker, but so, so memorable. Lazenby really nailed it this scene; frankly, I can't imagine Connery in his place at the moment of heartbreak.
    Casino Royale: Just amazing. Bond finding White, shooting his leg, then giving the famous introduction - all just perfect. I love this ending.

    Those are some of the biggest that come to mind for me. I might post more later.
  • TroyTroy
    Posts: 342
    Sorry for not using spoilers tags, but uncertain how to do it. Hopefully I've not spoilt anyone's enjoyment.

    All the above are fabulous - here are some others I enjoy

    Goldfinger:
    "This is no time to be rescued", cue grin and Shirley Bassey

    Italian Job:
    Ultimate cliffhanger

    For a Few Dollars More
    Less grandiose than The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, but just as effective

    Kelly's Heroes
    Riding off into the sunset

    Casablanca
    "beginning of a beautiful friendship."
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