Almanac Cinema: My 25 Favourite Movie Opening Sequences (14-10)

 

14 – The Blues Brothers (1980). The opening to this classic film is so drawn out that it takes two clips to cover it, however it’s indicative of the film’s entire pace. Slow then fast with lashings of unpredictability is the only way describe it. Somehow the director John Landis managed to keep John Belushi’s off screen behaviour in relative check and delivered this joyous tribute to some of the finest rhythm and blues artists of the 2oth century. This opening scene sees Jake and Elroy reuniting after Jake’s latest stint in gaol and uses the wonderful Taj Mahal song She Caught the Katy as the musical backdrop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 – Goodfellas (1990).  This ‘Mob’ masterpiece from Martin Scorsese opens with the three main protagonists in the film played by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a Cadillac. They are on their way to bury what they thought was a dead ‘made’ Mafia man played by Frank Vincent only to discover movement coming from the boot. Thankfully for them they stopped off at Pesci’s Mum’s house for a snack and borrowed the household carving knife which finished the job. Very convenient indeed. That is also a great scene incorporating Scorsese’s real Mum, but it comes later in the film along with the initial confrontation Pesci has with Vincent which is brutal. This opening is quick, decisive and is the start of a magnificent piece of film making. (Click on the YouTube link Here)

 

 

12 – Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke (1978). The kings of stoner humour were huge when I was a teenager in the 70’s on record and cassette which led to them getting the opportunity to make this film. They were always self-deprecating and gave us plenty of laughs throughout that era. The opening to their first film frames up both their character’s backgrounds but is better known for the song Low Rider by War.

 

 

 

 

11 – Withnail and I (1987). I’ve often wondered why I adore this film so much. There’s very little plot other than two unemployed actors in 1969 London, living in a squalor-soaked flat who go to the country for a weekend and stay at Withnail’s gay Uncle Monty’s country house. The writing by director Bruce Robinson is first class but sometimes with cult films, there is no explanation needed. Some films just permeate into your bones and this one does just that for me. The opening scene has ‘I’ (whose name is never used in the film but in the script it’s Marwood) played by Paul McGann looking desperate and hungry in the flat, backed by King Curtis playing a live version of Whiter Shade of Pale. There’s one word from Withnail, “No”. The performance by Richard E Grant as the drunk, stoned and belligerent Withnail is extraordinary given the actor never drank or smoked in real life. His book, With Nails is fantastic if you love this movie.

 

 

 

 

10 – A Clockwork Orange (1971). Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing film about a sadistic gang leader prone to ultra-violence was banned from distribution through much of the 70’s and 80’s. It is set in a dystopian society but if you look at how the world is today, it was probably years ahead of its time. Despite a long acting career Malcolm McDowell has never again had a role as intriguing and challenging as the psychopathic Alex. Visually, the film has all the hallmarks of Kubrick’s style, coming off the spectacular 2001 a Space Odyssey in 1968. The opening scene sees Alex and his gang at their headquarters, the Korova Milk Bar. (Click on the You Tube Link Here)

 

 

You can read Parts 15 – 25 Here

 

 

More from Ian Wilson can be read Here

 

 

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