As openings go, none have been more realistic or eye opening in Steven Spielberg's career than this one. Seeing Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and friends speeding away in a boat towards what will be a life changing event, we see soldiers being sick from nerves. The moment they hit the beach, there are no heroics, men drown from their heavy packs, bullets hover like fireflies and lives disappear in an instant. Spielberg succeeds in showing that in the heat battle, only brave and the fortunate prevail. Even today this stands as one of the great directors finest sequences!
Star Wars: A New Hope: Death Star Attack
Since its release in 1977, George Lucas' sci-fi masterpiece has a finale that has lost none of its potency. An air bound dog fight in its finest, the Rebels goes head to head with the Empire in what amounts to little more than a suicide run. The thrill factor is still very much alive and Lucas and his company Industrial Light and Magic have succeeded in keeping the effects looking timeless. But it is what's at stake that provide the audience its real nerves as the Death Star is on the verge of blowing them out of existence. Try fight not to stand up and cheer during the trench run sequence, I dare you!
Zulu: Rourke's Drift
The most endearing this about the Cy Enfield's, 1964 war film is the soldiers it is based on. 100 brave British Soldiers stood firm against the a never sea of over 4,000 Zulu Warriors at Rourke's Drift. Enfield in a pulse raising effort shows the grit and determination of the men involved. Led by aristocratic Bromhead (Michael Caine) and hard nosed engineer Chard (Stanley Baker) the red coats find the spirit in themselves to repel the rolling waves before them. The finale sequence is the one that still stands out as the weary warriors through sheer will win a deserved respect from the enemy. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for their courage- still a record to this day.
Apocalypse Now: Village Attack
These day's it is impossible to hear Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' and not think of the memorable village attack from Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Vietnam War classic! Emerging from the clouds like black angels of death, they quickly rain down a fiery and bloody outcome on the villagers below. Led by thrilling seeking surfer commander, Lt Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) the image to this day still everlasting as he forces his comrades to surf will the tree line it set alight by napalm! As Duvall delivers the legendary line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" it leave us reeling from what we have just witness- this would prove to be one the last hurrah's of Coppola's career.
Children of Men: Escape From Bexhill
If ever you needed proof that Alfonso Cuaron is one of the best modern day directors, you need only look here. Proving the master of the one take scenes, here Cuaron gives us a heart stopping escape attempt as Theo (Clive Owen) attempts to protect a mother and the first human born child in centuries. As the refugee uprising folds, the next six minutes has everything an exciting finale should have as bullets fly and explosions appear all around. However, even in the midst of a meltdown, there is a moment of beautiful serenity as both sides ceasefire to witness the miracle creation. Even in the midst of war, Cuaron finds space to reflect on what good can be find in the most unlikely places.
