Top 10 Great Movie Speeches
Published on February 22, 2008 - 199 Comments
Filmmakers are often accused of writing movies that give quick snippets and no real substance, but from time to time a truly great scene comes out that includes brilliant speech writing. This is a list of the ten greatest movie speeches. Obviously many of you will disagree with my selection, so feel free to add your own to the comments. Include a youtube link if you can so we can all enjoy the goods!
10. Matt Damon’s Speech Good Will hunting
Pride comes before a fall and in this scene - we see a perfect example of it. This is a wonderful scene that anyone who has ever made mocked will appreciate. I especially like the way he wraps things up with the offer to “step outside” - he may be a walking library, but he is also a badass!
9. Captain Koons Speech Pulp Fiction
This has to be on the list simply because Christopher Walken is so amazing. You can easily see Tarantino’s writing in this speech, but Walken manages to take it to another dimension.
8. Monty Brogan’s Speech 25th Hour
A large number of items on this list have good messages in them - this one, unfortunately, is bound to offend virtually everyone. Nevertheless, the acting is good and Edward Norton is brilliant, so here it is.
7. A Few Good Men A Few Good Men
My apologies for including a scene with Tom “Xenu’s Bitch” Cruise, but I had to include this scene because Jack Nicholson is so great.
6. Courtroom Scene To Kill a Mockingbird
A brilliant story and an almost equally brilliant film. This is the famous court scene from the movie in which Gregory Peck defends black man Tom in a small town.
5. Drill Instructor Speech Full Metal Jacket
I would say 99% of people reading this list expected to see this item on it. It definitely deserves a place in the top 5.
4. Freedom Speech Braveheart
This is William Wallace’s speech to the army about patriotism and freedom.
3. St Crispin’s Day Speech Henry V
“We band of brothers” - this speech never fails to send chills down my spine. An outstanding performance of one of the most beautifully written pieces of English.
2. Patton Speech Patton
The famous speech by General Patton in the movie of the same name.
1. Chaplin’s Speech the Great Dictator
This amazing speech may surprise people who are used to Chaplin’s comedic films. Not only was this a powerful and amazing speech in its time, it is still relevant today.
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1. Anthony - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
I’m surprised at the order, but I agree with all of them being on the list. Especially Ed Nortons terrific performance.
2. Taos - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
all great, and i am named after one of the actors (Gregory Peck)
3. jfrater - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Anthony: what would your order be?
4. Lizim - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Great List! I also like the one by Michael Douglas in “The American President”.
5. jfrater - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Taos: your name is pecker?!
6. Jen - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Alec Baldwin’s scene from Glengarry Glen Ross (Coffee is for closers only!) is pretty iconic as far as movie speeches go.
7. goof_ball - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
Woo Hoo! First 10 Comments! I know, random.
8. Anthony - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
jfrater: I’d have Ed Nortons Speech at #2, Matt Damon’s at #3 and the Drill Instructor Speech at #1. The rest, I wouldn’t mind where they were.
9. Taos - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
jaimei: if it was i would be a photographer
10. jfrater - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Anthony: oh ok - I can understand why you would - I don’t agree though
Jen: I was tempted to include it - consider it number 11
11. SocialButterfly - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Great List Jamie… very happy to see Pulp Fiction in here!
12. Randy - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I may be a wuss… but I think Bill Pullman’s speech in Independence Day was a good one, too. It gave me goose bumps the first time I heard it.
13. Rick Sparks - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
What, no mention of Steven Seagal’s “What Makes A Man” speech/barroom beatdown from “On Deadly Ground?’”
YES I’m kidding.
14. Tommo - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
What about Bill Pullman’s speech from Independence Day?!
Cheesy and inspirational in a fight to destroy aliens. Woo!
15. Mystern - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 am
Edward Norton is my favorite actor. The sheer talent of that man is amazing.
16. Ethan - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Great list but I second Jen, Alec Baldwin’s speech from Glengarry Glenross is classic. “Coffee is for closers”
Also it’s not exacly a speech but the scene in Do the Right Thing where everbody is just spouting off racial epithets to the camera is pretty powerful.
17. yeasure - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
the last jurors speech in 12 angry men (1957)
18. nathan - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
god will never forgive you for forgetting Ben Affleck’s money rant in Boiler Room.
19. Mystern - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
I second that.
20. Gaurang - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
What !
How come no speech from Al pacino: in the movie “Scent of women” final trial scene. Come on that has to be in the top 10. Cannot believe its not in there.
21. Mac - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Christopher Walken was so spectacular in that scene. I don’t especially like Pulp Fiction, but that’s one of my favourite scenes ever. He’s one of a kind (and can dance like a motherbitch).
22. Jimbo78934 - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
i’m not sure if it counts as a speech, but the courtroom scene in “Inherit the Wind” where Henry Drummond calls Matthew Harrison Brady to the stand is close to epic.
23. Gaurang - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKAxnB6Ap4o
How can you miss the Al pacino’s scent of women speech. That has to be in the top 10.
24. Mystern - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Not to belabor the Christopher Walken point, but I’ve always loved his speech from Suicide Kings
25. Ed - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Al Pacino at the end of Scent of a Woman
Alec Baldwin in the early moments of Glengarry Glen Ross
26. Mom424 - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Great List;
I’m glad you skipped the over-the-top bill pullman speech…inspiring maybe, but too cheesy
Mystern; I agree, Ed Norton is amazing, I would add Steve Buscemi, William Hurt (kiss of the spider woman/gorky park/body heat)to my favorite actors list…
27. JMurf - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I was expecting to see Pulp Fiction but I thought it’d be Samuel L. Jackson doing Ezekiel 25:17 with the ‘do u speak english is what mothafucka?’ part thrown in. That said its still a terrific speech by Walken
28. Harsha - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Oh yeah! Full Metal Jacket needs to be higher up. Thanx for the list!!
29. bucslim - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Epic list - gotta say that Glengarry Glen Ross speech is off the hook too.
Patton’s speech makes me want to kill Huns. A total badass.
30. Mystern - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Oh yeah. Vin Diesel’s “500″speech from Knockaround Guys is classic. Short, but awesome nonetheless.
31. bucslim - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms, yo!
32. mitchsn - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Mathew McConaughey in A Time to kill, his summation at the end of the trial. “Now imagine she’s white”
33. bucslim - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Nearly shat myself watching Harry rouse the troops. Good lord what an inspiration. Makes me want to kill French. a total badass
34. gcat - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Three other speeches in Good Will Hunting that I think are better:
1.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fpnFFHxg5a0
2.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFof9AD2YlE
3.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fJqWHDuOpc4
up to 2:38
35. gcat - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
This is a really great list though! Glad to see some of my favorites made it
36. stugy - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I always really liked the speech at the end of Devil’s Advocate by Pacino when he talks about God being a sadist and himself being a humanist.
37. Borg - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
No disagreements with the ones on your list, Jamie. Here are some more good ones.
Animal House- Otter’s speech at the probation meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8uCS9wcyQ4
Glengarry Glen Ross- Alec Badlwin’s “always be closing” speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
Network- Peter Finch’s “Mad as Hell” Oscar-winning speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08
Wall Street- Michael Douglas “Greed is Good” Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKkuJVy2YA
38. Angelina - February 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
gcat: I was always partial to Ben Affleck’s speech to Matt Damon about wanting him to just leave without saying goodbye. Tugs at my heart!
39. Matt - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
While not the best movie in the world, the speach by Kevin Costner to Susan Sarandon in “Bull Durham” was pretty inspired. The whole “I believe in…” speach was pretty good. Perhaps too short to be considered a speach per se but still, some good writing.
40. SocialButterfly - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
mitchsn: Good call!! I remember the moment I heard that speech. It sends shivers down my spine to this day…
As well Jamie, thank you for including To Kill A Mockingbird on this list. By now most of the regulars know that this is my favourite book and one of my fave movies so to see it on this list is just awesome for me!
41. cparker - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
i have never seen the great dictator but that one was definitely the best. he could be the best actor of all time. full metal jacket—too funny. chaplin gave me tingles
42. SocialButterfly - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I just noticed that you refered to Tom Cruise as Xenu’s Bitch!!!! Brilliant. Oh JF, you are so my hero right now…
43. Ravyn - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
nice list but there is one great speach that has been omitted and should absolutly be on here (in my opinion at least). and that would be
Silent Bob’s speach in Chasing Amy
44. Angelina - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Ravyn: I second that! Great speech, great movie!
45. Ravyn - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Chasing Amy Speach
46. Amy - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I think Al Pacino gave a great speech at the end of Scent of a Woman. It gave me chills. Awesome movie.
47. Amy - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
LOL - Gaurang already mentioned Al Pacino’s speech!
48. Clay Kiesling - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
My favorite all time speech is Al Pacino’s “inches” towards the end of Any Given Sunday.
49. Dawn Bearer - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I liked the God speach from The Devil’s Advocate, also speaches from Scent of A Woman, 300, and Network are on top of my list.
50. Angelina - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Morgan Freeman’s parole board speech in The Shawshank Redemption. Short, to the point, brillant.
51. R. Nixon - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Al Pacino’s closing statement in And Justice For All. “You’re all out of order.”
52. R. Nixon - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Al Pacino’s “You need people like me” speech from Scarface.
53. PinoyXPat - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Great list…Additional movie speeches that I remember:
(a) Michael Douglas: “….My name is Adrew Shephard and I am the President…” speech in “The American President”
(b) Anthony Hopkins: “…may this be the final battle of the American Revolution…” speech in “Amistad”
(c) Russel Crowe: “…you are all my reasons…” speech in “A Beuatiful Mind”
(d) Al Pacino: “…you are amputating his soul..” speech in “Scent Of A Woman”
54. Giovanni - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Where’s the ending to First Blood? I mean, Rambo went thru a lot by the end of that movie, not only during the movie but before with all of his military experience (cinematcially speaking of course). He kinda let it all out at the end there.
55. Fuzzy Dunlop - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
No Aragorn, no theoden no godfather?
Love that speech.
But u got Henry V
56. 8rustystaples - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
ALEC BALDWIN: GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. No question about it; it should be at the top of the list. One of the greatest monologues of all time.
A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.
Your name is “you’re wanting”, and you can’t play the man’s game, you can’t close them, and then tell your wife your troubles. ‘Cause only one thing counts in this world: get them to sign on the line which is dotted. You hear me you fuckin’ faggots?
That watch costs more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see pal, that’s who I am, and you’re nothing. Nice guy? I don’t give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - close! You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can’t take this, how can you take the abuse you get on a sit? You don’t like it, leave.
We’re adding a little something to this month’s sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired.
57. Lewis - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Chaplin and Norton’s are absolutely am amazing, great list!
58. Angelina - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
How about Michael Douglas’ “Greed is good” speech in Wall Street?
59. 8rustystaples - February 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Come to think of it, Peter Finch’s Howard Beale character in “Network” has one of the most iconic speeches in all filmdom. Brilliant writing by Paddy Chayefsky. Sheer genius.
I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s work, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there’s nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there’s no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV’s while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that’s the way it’s supposed to be. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They’re crazy. It’s like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don’t go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, ‘Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won’t say anything. Just leave us alone.’ Well, I’m not gonna leave you alone. I want you to get mad! I don’t want you to protest. I don’t want you to riot - I don’t want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write. I don’t know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you’ve got to get mad. You’ve got to say, ‘I’m a HUMAN BEING, Goddamnit! My life has VALUE!’ So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, ‘I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!’ I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad!… You’ve got to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!
60. Emeraldi - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Great List! I would have included Marlon Brando’s monologue from Apocalypse Now, “I’ve seen horrors…horrors that you’ve seen.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGosYIlXdmU
61. reid1201 - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I’m pretty sure that I would be enthralled listening to Edward Norton read his grandmother’s chocolate chip cookie recipe.
62. Andrea Carlena - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Captain Koons was the best. “So I put it in the onyl place I could; in my ass” Classic!!
-Andrea Carlena Beauman
63. Andrea Carlena - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
**only
64. Csimmons - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
OMG! I love that speech from Full Metal Jacket, I loved everything that the drill instructor said. Its my favorite movie of all time and is an all-time classic!
65. mrsb1223 - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
great list! one of my favorite speechs is from warren beatty in the movie bullworth.
Bullworth: Obscenity? The rich is getting richer and richer and richer while the middle class is getting more poor/ Making billions and billions and billions of bucks/ well my friend if you weren’t already rich at the start well that situation just sucks/cause the riches mother fucker in five of us is getting ninety fuckin eight percent of it/ and every other motherfucker in the world is left to wonder where the fuck we went with it/ Obscenity?/ I’m a Senator/ I gotta raise $10,000 a day every day I’m in Washington/ I ain’t getting it in South Central/ I’m gettin it in Beverly Hills/ So I’m votin from them in the Senate the way they want me too/ and-and-and I’m sending them my bills/ But we got babies in South Central dying as young as they do in Peru/ We got public schools that are nightmares/ We got a Congress that ain’t got a clue/We got kids with submachine guns/ We got militias throwing bombs/ We got Bill just gettin all weepy/ We got Newt blaming teenage moms/We got factories closing down/ Where the hell did all the good jobs go? Well, I’ll tell you where they went/My contributors make more profits makin, makin, makin, Hirin’ kids in Mexico/ Oh a brother can work in fast food/ If he can’t invent computer games/ But what we used to call America/ That’s going down the drains/How’s a young man gonna meet his financial responsibilities workin and motherfuckin Burger King? He ain’t! And please don’t even start with that school shit/ There aint no education going on up in that motherfucker/ Obscenity? We got a million brothers in prison/ I mean, the walls are really rockin/But you can bet your ass they’d all be out/If they could pay for Johnny Cochran/ The constitution is supposed to give them an equal chance/ Well, that ain’t gonna happen for sure/ Ain’t it time to take a little from the rich motherfucker and give a little to the poor? I mean, those boys over there on the monitor/ they want a government smaller and weak/ but the be speakin for the riches 20 percent when they pretend they’re defendin the meek/ Now, shit, fuck, cocksuker, that’s the real obscenity/ Black folks livin with every day/ Trying to believe a mothefuckin word Democrats and Republicans say/ Obscenity? I’m Jay Billington Bulworth And I’ve come to say/ The Democratic party’s got some shit to pay/ It’s gonna pay it in the ghetto/ It’s gonna pay it in the-
[talks a little]
Bullworth: You know the guy in the booth who’s talking to you in that tiny little earphone? He’s afraid the guys at network are gonna tell him that he’s through/ If he lets a guy keep talking like I’m talking to you/ Cause the corporations got the networks and they get to say who gets to talk about the country and who’s crazy today/ I would cut to a commercial if you still want this job/ Because you may not be back tomorrow with this cooperate mob/Cut to commercial, cut to commercial, cut to commercial. Ok ok I got a simple question that I’d like to ask of this network/ That pays you for performing this task/ How come they got the airwaves? They’re the peoples aren’t they? Wouldn’t they be worth 70 billion to the public today? If some money-grubbin Congress didn’t give them away for big campaign money? It’s hopeless you see/ If you’re runnin for office with out no TV/If you don’t get big money/ You get a defeat/ Corporations and broadcasters make you dead meat/ You been taught in this country there’s speech that is free/ But free don’t get you no spots on TV/If you want to have senators not on the take/ Then give them free air time/ They won’t have to fake/ Telecommunications is the name of the beast/that, that, that, that, that’s eating up the world from the west to the east/ The movies, the tabloids, TV and magazines/ they tell us what to think and do/ And all our hopes and dreams/ All this information makes America phat/ But if the company’s outta the country/ How American is that? But we got Americans with families that can’t even buy a meal/ Ask a brother who’s been downsized if he’s getting any deal/ Or a white boy bustin ass til they put him in his grave/ He ain’t gotta be a black boy to be livin like a slave/ Rich people have always stayed on top by dividing white people from colored people/ but white people got more in common with colored people then they do with rich people/ we just gotta eliminate them. White people, black people, brown people, yellow people, get rid of ‘em all/ All we need is a voluntary, free spirited, open-ended program of procreative racial deconstruction/ Everybody just gotta keep fuckin’ everybody til they’re all the same color
66. Csimmons - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
LOL Jamie! Tom “Xenu’s Bitch” Cruise!
67. Mom424 - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
So many good alternates, kudos to the folks who mentioned Network, Apocalypse Now, and A Beautiful Mind.
I’ve never seen the “500″ speech, now I gotta go see the movie.
Good job everybody!
68. Killery McNair - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
yah well I like them all, espesialy the 1 from full metal jakcet, soo cool. -
69. Cedestra - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Clicheic, but the “Hill of Beans” speech from Casablanca? I can let that pass, but not Batty’s speech from “Bladerunner”?
70. dofnup - February 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I don’t think ANY Al Pacino scene should be in the Top 10. The man always manages to overact, therefore spoiling what could have been a great scene. Too over the top! This list is fine without him.
IMHO, of course, of course.
71. Late O’Day - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
1.) Network
2.) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
72. Blogball - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Late O’Day you beat me to it
These are all great. Thanks for the list.
The only other one that came to my mind was the speech in Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. It might be kind of corny in today’s standards but I’m a sucker for Frank Capra films.
Here’s a link to a one of the speeches incase anybody wants to check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWyEc7FAMTg
73. jesse - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
what about “the scent of a women” with al pacino, his speech is badass, and like 4 minutes long!
74. Everlast - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
WHAT? NO A.B.C? Always be closing? glengarry glen ross, Alec Baldwin. Great friggin speech scene! No Michael Douglas Wall Street Greed speech?
75. Shabab - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
dofnup: IMHO ur HO sucks! Al Pacino’s one of the finest actors of all time.
That is all
76. Dread Pirate Bob - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I like most of these but you have the wrong St Crispin’s Day speech, check out Olivier’s from the World War II era version
77. dodo - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Shabab: I’m not sure what to think about him playing the late surrealist, Salvador Dali, in an upcomming movie though.
Have you ever seen Panic in Needle Park? I think it was maybe his second film. It’s amazing all around.It was dificult to get for a long time but now is available on DVD.
78. jfrater - February 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Csimmons: #66: glad someone appreciated that
79. Spocker - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I like the scene right after Matt Damon’s speech in the bar when he walks up to a diner seeing the same dude eating and asks him, “Do you like apples? Do you like apples?” then shows Minnie Drivers phone number, “Well, how do you like them apples?”
Best line in the movie, IMO.
80. Shields - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I have truly enjoyed the posts and won’t disagree with your list, but would like to add a speech. I was so moved by Liam Neeson’s speech at the end of Schindler’s list where he is recounting how many jewish lives he could have saved by selling different items such as a his gold ring or car. Beautifully written and so moving. Just my thought.
81. Crimanon - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
JMurf: FYI, Pulp Fiction, Ezekiel 25:17. For the sake of movie theatrics he chose to change up what was said, If I had my bible handy I’d show you what it actually says. but I really don’t care and I just woke up.
82. Crimanon - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Personally, Falling Down. When he’s trying to get a burger.
83. mattayeaux - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I can’t believe that the speech by the drunk in TeamAmerica isn’t here. “there are 3 types of people, dicks, pussies and asholes” Truly inspiring!
84. Eric - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
awesome to see FMJ on there. did you know ermey ad libbed much of that?
85. Pembroke - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I certainly wasn’t expecting to be shaking with laughter from the Full Metal Jacket scene! Good Lord, the insults! How those actors kept a straight face, I’ll never understand.
86. Dana - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I cannot watch #4 without thinking of the speech given in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. I don’t know why…
87. Tony - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
2 come to mind instantly, Pacinos speech at the end of Scent of a woman, and Russel Crowes speech in beautiful mind when he is thanking his wife.
88. LML - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
fantastic list… #6 would have been #1 on my list, but it’s a great list, nice job!
another to add would be Steve Martin’s rant about his nose in the movie ‘Roxanne’.. funny stuff!
89. loseitbonkers - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
that gregory peck speech in the film version of to kill a mockingbird really is a great speech.
i must say, i was rather expecting the speech from pulp fiction to be samuel jackson’s speech referencing ezekiel.
however, the christopher walken speech is also a good one.
90. DiscHuker - February 22nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
eric: ermey ad libbed the whole thing. he got the job as the gunnery sergeant after impressing kubrick so much as just the military advisor.
after giving the line about, “not even have the common courtesy to give the man a reach around”, kubrick yelled “CUT” and had to have that explained to him since he had never heard the phrase. ermey obliged. kubrick say action and we get the amazing speech seen above.
91. Fidsy - February 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
What about the great Pacino’s speech in any given sunday? that shit is inspiration personified.
92. dio-theoneyoulovetohate - February 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Blogball has said this movie addition but still,
It probably would have been too much to have three courtroom speeches, but I always think of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” when I think of movie speeches..
DiscHuker: What I’m amazed with is that that drill instructor guy has made an acting career out of yelling at people! To go from the real thing aimed at soldiers–to–an illusionary thing aimed for laughs.
Crimanon (reply to your #82) But that whole scene when he’s in the fake McDonald’s is what screwed up the seriousness of the whole picture for me. It pretty much killed whatever strength was happening up to that point. But now that I think of how it was something of a half way mark, I suppose it makes scence…no, I didn’t like it.
93. Scullygirl78 - February 22nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I wish there had been a few women on the list. I think a list about great movie speeches would have had to at least included Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara. It’s brief to be sure but her “I’ll never go hungry again” speech still manages to give me chills each and everytime I view that scene.
94. BadassBookworm - February 22nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I believe the Matt Damon speech in Good Will Hunting is from Noam Chomsky. I could be wrong, though.
The Great Dictator speech is great too, but I much Prefer Adnoid Hinkel’s speech was better. ” Ahs! Ina alles. Nino straten tighten die belten”
95. Theref0re1am - February 22nd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Am i the only one who thought Robin Williams speech to Matt Damon about seeing the Sistine Chapel vs. reading about it, was the best speech of that movie and one of the best movie speeches of all-time?
96. Simone - February 22nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
i would of liked to have seen the dicks pussys and asshole speech from Team America because it is so true.
97. Pyrratus - February 22nd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Great list! I would have included Sam’s speech from the ending of Lord of The Rings: Two Towers and I vaguely remember there being an amazing speech from Dead Poets Society.
98. crashgate - February 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I liked the speech Anthony Edwards gave at the end of Revenge of the Nerds movie. Classic
99. messedup - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
What about Reese Witherspoon’s character in Legally Blonde. You know, the whole court winner speech about perms.
It won her the case.
100. Kirstin - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Has anyone here ever seen “The Girl in the Cafe”? The speech Kelly MacDonald makes at the end, at the G8 summit about children makes me weep every single time.
I can’t find the specific scene, but part of it is featured in this clip, at 00:57. There is, unfortunately, music playing over her speaking, but you can still hear her:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VQL.....re=related
And a bit is in this trailer, too:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qKR.....re=related
One more scene:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fg3Xd15yWJQ
101. sinman - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Ben Affleck in Dogma
- The bit where he gets pissed at Matt in Dogma
Ben Affleck in Chasing Amy
- The scene in the car
Lynn Cohen in Munich
- The scene where she makes a decision
102. Annie - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I was so happy to see that you put the Great Dictator at #1. I think that’s a movie that is completely overlooked. It’s funny, moving and absolutely brilliant. To me, that will always be the best speech in the movies.
103. drunkmonkey - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
i see many folk have put forward al pacino has anyone suggested the ‘inches’ speech in ‘any given sunday’ that was truly legendary
104. logan - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
#8, my favorite, is no longer available
and I agree with drunkmonkey the pacino “Inches”speech runs up so many emotion with me. I think it would touch anyone who has played in a team sport.
105. Dave - February 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Would have to agree with Spocker at #79 - including the ‘apples’ bit would have to send the Good Will Hunting clip shooting up the list. Good list this one, the only ones I haven’t seen are the top 3 - so they’re now on my list!
Baldwin’s speech in Glengarry should be in there, not sure which one I’d leave out though. And as for Pullman in ID:4 - as an Aussie, that speech made me physically ill. The movie did too, to be honest, although the special effects were good.
106. Ravyn - February 22nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
sinman: Why not say any Ben Affleck speach (consisting over 3 sentences long) in any Kevin Smith movie because you know what… “Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms, yo!” . That line still gets me rolling sorry. But no Affleck does awesome work in Kevin Smith’s films. Though he can get to be very corny and goofy he still does an excellent job.
(and if you can not tell, I am a big fan of Kevin Smith and ever given the oppertunity, I would definatly love to take on a roll in one of his movies)
107. jongleur - February 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
“The Lion in Winter” certainly deserves a spot on this list. Full of great speeches, but my favorite is this one between Eleanor and Prince John (Katherine Hepburn and Nigel Terry)
Prince John: A knife! He’s got a knife!
Eleanor: Of course he has a knife, he always has a knife, we all have knives! It’s 1183 and we’re barbarians! How clear we make it. Oh, my piglets, we are the origins of war: not history’s forces, nor the times, nor justice, nor the lack of it, nor causes, nor religions, nor ideas, nor kinds of government, nor any other thing. We are the killers. We breed wars. We carry it like syphilis inside. Dead bodies rot in field and stream because the living ones are rotten. For the love of God, can’t we love one another just a little - that’s how peace begins. We have so much to love each other for. We have such possibilities, my children. We could change the world.
While we’re looking at medieval dramas, “Robin and Marian” has some great speeches also, with melancholy taking the day.
108. petey_mcgee - February 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
not much of a speech per se, but in rudy the whole “you’re 5 feet nothin, a hundred and nothin….” etc. gets me going.
and speaking of kevin smith, the speech at the end of clerks where randall lays it out that dante is so epic about his job and all he is is a trained monkey. that speech changed my life, because up until that point i was dante. needless to say, after i saw that my work production tanked.
109. Eric - February 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
THIS IS BLASPHEMY!!!!!! Al Pacion’s “Inches” speech from Any Given Sunday definatly deserves one of the top spots on this list. Not only is it an incrediable piece of acting from a very charismatic actor, but the music and the pretence of the surroundings make it absolutly perfect!
110. D Holmes - February 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Gregory Peck’s speech is fantastic, but I also think that Tom Robinson’s testimony by Brock Peters is absolutely fantastic. Fast forward to about 5:00 to get to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz7jGDG8fM8
Another great speech is from Inherit the Wind when Drummond drills Brady. I actually performed this scene in a Dramatic Duet with a friend for Forensics. I was Drummond and he was Brady.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNdYsoool8
111. mecho - February 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
The Chaplin speech was amazing, one of the best I heard, but as a reference to a previous comment, the scene in Inherit The Wind “where Henry Drummond calls Matthew Harrison Brady to the stand is close to epic.” I wholeheartedly agree. It changed my view partially on the theory of creationism.
112. Cambrex101 - February 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Alright, I totally agree with most of this list,
but I need to add one that I always liked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
The movie (Be Cool) wasn’t very good, but I still liked this little speech.
=]
113. ChrisG - February 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Edward Norton is not a very good actor, but the speech was well written. An actor should be subordinate to the character, and Norton never is.
114. jfrater - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
ChrisG: surely you liked him in American History X though! He was great in that movie!
115. Maxx_the_Slash - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I’m not sure if my post got through, so I’ll repost it (my first one doesn’t show up when I refresh).
You forgot the greatest movie speech of all, from the movie The Warriors (1979). Here’s the link to the YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYd2deSmrnE
116. JwJwBean - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Warriors, Come out and Playayaya!
117. el duderino - February 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Balls and brains are tough combination to beat.
118. Susana - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 am
Edward Norton really knows how to bring a character to life.
119. Mandie - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 am
Not only is this the best speech, care of Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken in “True Romance”…
This, in my opinion, is the BEST scene even in cinematic history.
120. Mandie - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 am
Um, link would be good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm_LbJTvTWA
121. Yogi Barrister - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
I once had a boss just like Blake from downtown.
>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
122. Yogi Barrister - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:19 am
I see my entry from Glengary Glen Ross was already mentioned, four times in fact. Definitely top ten material.
123. Yogi Barrister - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Here’s an inspirational moment from ANIMAL HOUSE
>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2YWHBFx3Zg
124. Yogi Barrister - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Speaking of Xenu’s bitch. Here he is respecting the cock in MAGNOLIA.
>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n2IVF9a2IA
125. genesis105 - February 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 am
I definitely agree that the Scent of a Woman speech should be on this list!
I like Edward Norton, especially in American History X, but I don’t know if that speech from 25th hour should be on this list… It doesn’t sound like acting - it feels like he’s reciting.
126. schiesl - February 23rd, 2008 at 1:43 am
OK, where is the speech by Jon Belushi in Animal house. “Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor?!” Classic
127. schiesl - February 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
here is a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpSFExhRdBA
128. Theref0re1am - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 am
Not even a movie but this right here is the single greatest speech of all time, from one of the greatest video games of all time Bioshock
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e2mhuPe3sMo
the actual speech/narration starts a little bit into the video but watch the whole thing. if you’ve never played the game well i highly reccomend it.
129. Drogo - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 am
How about Marlon Brando’s “I could have been a contender” speech from On The Waterfront?
130. Shawn V - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 am
Snatch: Bullet tooth Tony (Desert Eagle .50 speech).
As well the speech by Bricktop (Nemesis)
131. Shawn V - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 am
Oops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epv8czCMWW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrsjbm8MgI
132. LePetiteMort - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:53 am
Well, my teacher used The To Kill A Mocking Bird, and the Tom ‘Xenu’s Bitch’ Cruise one too.
That says something.
133. swampsnake - February 23rd, 2008 at 4:15 am
Gergeory Peck as Capt Ahab…We shall hunt Moby Dick to his death…great speach and one of my favorite scenes in any movie.
134. zubair kaka - February 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Man i LOVE the braveheart speech and have used it in many a football(soccer) tournaments to urge my teach to victory….with no great success!!
the speech from sam in Lord of the Rings two is brillaint!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjvYCjQc8Iw
135. Matt - February 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 am
i think if you were to have a speech from good will hunting it should have been robin williams when he was talking to matt damon at some pond, that was probably the best speech i’ve heard
136. DarraghT - February 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Al Pacino.. Any Given Sunday??
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=myyWXKeBsNk
it is awesome
137. Tomo - February 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Chaplin’s speech really took me by surprise, very unexpected. I’ve obviously not seen the movie, but your comment was right, very relevant.
138. bizzoony - February 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
I liked Denzel Washington’s speech in Remember The Titans, whenever I listen to it I get goosebumps, and also the speech in We Are Marshall. Basically any sports movie in which the underdogs come back and win.
139. heavybison - February 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
#136: DarraghT: Thanks for bringing up good ol’ Al. However, my fav speech has to be from Scent of a Woman. If there ever is a definition for Screen Presense, this is it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4p9BQ3V9o
140. lilbuddy67 - February 23rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Al Pacino:
-End speech in Devil’s Advocate
-Scent of a Woman Speech
141. Csimmons - February 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I would have included that speech from Apocalypse Now too.
142. Angelina - February 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Quint’s speech in Jaws about the USS Indianapolis sinking is worthy of a spot here, IMHO
143. Milky - February 23rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I find Tom Cruise really ugly.
144. filipinoknight - February 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I had to learn St. Crispian Day speech for my final exam in high school. It still sends a chill down my spine. It pretty much set the standard for these speeches. I think one of my favorite ones that should be on this list is Aragorns speech in Return of the King http://youtube.com/watch?v=9GgSdiX0kDI
it may be short but every time I hear it I want to grab a sword and follow him into battle. That was the purpose of these kind of speeches to rouse the tired, scared, outnumbered to go into battle. Just love ‘em
145. Clarkekentyboy - February 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I am with you on that one, Angelina.
146. copperdragon - February 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I can’t believe no one’s mentioned the “nerd” speech from Revenge of the Nerds
also fond of Michael Douglas’ speech from American President
Bill Pullman’s speech from ID:4
Wesley’s speech at the end of Princess Bride
147. rp - February 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I haven’t been here in a while and… wow… the number of replies to all of these lists has grown exponentially. Congrats, jamie on the obvious growing popularity of your site.
Oh, and the dick, pussies, and assholes speech in Team America is hilarious.
148. MarK - February 24th, 2008 at 12:33 am
wheres samuel l jacksons speech from deep blue sea??.. =P
149. ashman9729 - February 24th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Dont neccessarily agree with the order, but good list. Also people should still remember that regarless of how much of a douchbag Tom Cruise is now… he was still a decent actor.
150. ashman9729 - February 24th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I think it would be hard to pick only 10 speeches, there ares so many good ones..you should do a part 2 and 3 or even more of this list every now and then.
151. JJ - February 24th, 2008 at 6:37 am
what’s the difference between a movie speech and a movie soliloquy?
152. HexenBexen - February 24th, 2008 at 7:29 am
You definitely should have included Al Pacino’s speech from The Devil’s Advocate!
153. TK - February 24th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Good list…But I don’t think Matt Damon’s speech was even the best in that movie. I liked Robin Williams speech to “Will” on the park bench.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFof9AD2YlE
154. duki - February 24th, 2008 at 10:37 am
what about two other great scenes which are not present:
baldwin in glengory glen ross
affleck in boiler room
i know they re similar, but at least one of them should be on this list
155. JJ - February 24th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
“Choose Life” from Trainspotting!!
156. em - February 24th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
i think that Captain Quint’s speech about the Indianapolis ship from Jaws should have been on here
157. Tomi - February 25th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Hey, how about Al Pacino’s in “Scent of a woman” or “Any given Sunday” …
158. Drogo - February 25th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Here’s an oldie. Gary Cooper in the movie about Lou (or Lew) Gehrig. The “Luckiest man on earth” speech.
159. Tamir - February 25th, 2008 at 4:23 am
1. Great site keeps me enterained at work, I visit it for several months now, and never commented because usually I don’t think there is anything to ad but this list !?
Top Ten speeches and not one Pacino
Scent of a woman - devil’s advocate - any given sunday - scarface
whats up with that ?
Oh yeah while I am on it - Dennis Hopper vs Walken in True Romace I was wondering no one mentioned it before..
160. Tamir - February 25th, 2008 at 4:25 am
oh yeah I forgot, what about the whole point about swiss democracity in “the thrid man” ??
161. GoodBytes - February 25th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Speeches are also a way to manipulate masses, and several listed here demonstrate this. Of all the speeches listed here, I find Patton’s to be most full of bullsh*t and hate.
162. zoz - February 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Few of the ones you haven’t seen:
V’s speech on air, form V for Vendetta - it is the TRUTH. A must see. As is the film itself.
And the one that is fantastic is you see the whole film before- beats braveheart anytime, if you ask me:
Conan’s speech before battle of the mounds “Valor pleases you”
There are a few more from Conan worth mentioning - to me the strongest love monologues of all time - Valeria “let someone else walk by” and the monologue after resurrection.
Thulsa Doom explaining the riddle of steel to Conan - very good, very true. Then, Doom’s last little speech - great!
King Osiric’s “there comes a time, barbarian…”
163. Bjorn Pal - February 25th, 2008 at 10:52 am
What about Mark Anthony’s speech to the Romans, after Caesar’s death, by Marlon Brando, in the 1953 version of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”???
164. Michael - February 25th, 2008 at 10:57 am
What about Spencer Tracy in his last speech on film? His great closing words in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” It’s sappy, I know, but the look on long-time companion, Katherine Hepburn’s face, probably realizing that he would be dead in a matter of weeks, just tears me apart.
165. scottX - February 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Brad Dourif’s Rat speech in Graveyard Shift deserves honourable mention here
Ok I am being kindof funny. but part of me is serious. this is a great brad dourif moment
I couldnt find a link for a youtube clip. but those who have
seen it know what im talking about
166. Mel - February 26th, 2008 at 4:37 am
#3 St. Crispin’s Day Speech is also in the movie “The Renaissance Man” with Danny DeVito, and it’s equally beautiful.
I also loved the speech given by Keisha Castle-Hughes in “Whale Rider”, I was in tears! I think’s it’s more because it was so well-acted on her part than the content of the speech really.
167. Ian - February 26th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Most of em are very dramatic and bombastic, and evident of the American culture. What I mean with this is the top 10 greatest speeches would be conceived differently in every country.
168. em - February 27th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
i agree zoz! v for vendetta was a great movie. i loved V’s speech.
169. tuffstuff - February 29th, 2008 at 11:05 am
How about the courtroom scene in Time to Kill. Very moving.
170. tim bloom - February 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
what about john belushis speech in animal house germans bombing pearl harbor
171. R. Pollie - February 29th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I cannot believe the courtroom speech from the Boondock Saints did not make this list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
172. Ian - February 29th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Second that Pollie!
173. rp - March 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 am
TK: Amazing that the same actor was willing to lead in RV, isn’t it? Robin Williams can be brilliant at times but also accept the worst scripts. Maybe he needs a better agent.
174. Luke - March 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington- Fillibuster Speech
Knute Rockney All American -win one for the Gipper
175. jrjb - March 3rd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
#95 Theref0re1am: I was thinking the exact same thing. Matt had to be put in his place as is character in that point of the movie was bordering on obnoxious.
Don’t know if anybody has scene HUD (set in early sixties Texas about a three generation of ranchers) but some of the speeches (arguments) by Paul Newman and Melvin Douglas were very sincere, even though Hud (Newman) was a bona fide heel and Douglas his father was uncompromising. Patricia Neal and the the actor who played the grandson were great too. I thought theses speeches could hold up today concerning people and their ethics, etc.
176. Schiesl - March 6th, 2008 at 1:07 am
WHOA WHOA WHOA!!! No netork and the “I’m mad ass hell and im not gonna take it anymore!” that is one of the greatest rants in movie history!
177. Schiesl - March 6th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Mas AS hell, sorry about the typo
178. Schiesl - March 6th, 2008 at 1:08 am
*MAD….wow cant type…its late
179. MrSmokeyBear - March 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to die.
Clips are always removed from youtube though
180. skeev - March 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Hmmm, I’d have added Mr. Smith Goes To Washington for sure.
I’d also consider the scene from Ghandi where he lays out his plan for non-violence in front of the Indians in South Africa. I always thought that was a great scene.
181. tj - March 23rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hello…tyler durden…fight club
182. scarface - April 7th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
dude ur a faggit, no scarface?? wats ur problem u watch movies like a girl, u rate speeches like a girl, ur a little girl!!! hav u heard any of tony montana’s speeches? u gotta b kiddin me!
183. coolhandluke - April 8th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I can’t believe nobody mentioned the wardens speech from Cool Hand Luke…um..what we’ve got here is a failure, to communicate. You See, Some men you just can’t reach, so you get what we had here today. Which, is the way he wants it; well he gets it. So good it made it into a Guns N’ Roses Song, Civil War!!
184. Good Wolf - April 14th, 2008 at 7:17 am
The Independence Day ‘Independence Day’ speech deserved to at least be on this list if not up top somewhere.
185. Good Wolf - April 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I can’t remember the actors name but the guy doing the Crispins day speech also played Iago in ‘Othello” and play it so well. He is probably the best Shakespearean actor ever
186. Cincinnati Kid - May 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 am
If “Greed is Good” is memorable then a close also ran has to be near the end of Other Peoples Money when Danny DeVito speaks to the stockholders. It is a refreshing reminder of why capitalism works and why people buy stock.
187. harmeet - May 7th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
hey, don’t you think the one made by Amitabh bacchan at the end of the Indian movie ‘baghban’ was also great, even greater then any one of the ones listed above.
at least watch it once, and you’ll know the difference.
188. Chris_Vita - May 12th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Coming along way late to this website, but I’d have to add the Ned Baatty speech from Network. It (alone) got him nominated for best supporting actor.
189. atul mathews - May 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I think the speech by Al Pacino in scent of a woman definitely deserves a place in the list.
190. champ24 - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
CAN’T believe no PACINO…… Devil’s Advocate last scene is one of the deadliest acting performance, you people, will ever seen.
191. facekickin - June 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
bill pullman…. independence day.. i remember being so inspired when he stepped into the fighter jet. granted i was 6 years old when i saw it. but c’mon now.
192. Dante - June 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Dwight’s speech from The Office.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=THOJAWZD-vE
“Blood alone moves the wheels of history! Have you ever asked yourselves in an hour of meditation which everyone finds during the day, how long we have been striving for greatness? Not only the years we’ve been at war, the war of work. But from the moment as a child when we realized that the world could be conquered. It has been a lifetime struggle, a never-ending fight, I say to you, and you will understand that it is a privilege to fight!” -Dwight K. Schrute, 2006
193. website design - June 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Glengarry Glen Ross: “A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing. Your name is “you’re wanting”, and you can’t play the man’s game, you can’t close them, and then tell your wife your troubles. ‘Cause only one thing counts in this world: get them to sign on the line which is dotted. You hear me you fuckin’ faggots? That watch costs more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see pal, that’s who I am, and you’re nothing. Nice guy? I don’t give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - close! You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can’t take this, how can you take the abuse you get on a sit? You don’t like it, leave. We’re adding a little something to this month’s sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired.”
194. pearlichelle - June 13th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Chaplin’s Speech in the Great Dictator = LURVE
195. Nially Bob - July 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Admittedly it’s quite a recent film in comparison to the others but I think the large monitor speech by Hugo Weaving (V) in V for Vendetta should get an honourable mention
196. Telboy - July 9th, 2008 at 6:10 am
I think Quint’s (Robert Shaw’s) Indianapolis monologue from Jaws at least deserved an honourable mention, it’s a great speech perfectly delivered by a great actor.
197. GuesssWho - July 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Pretty much everything the good Doctor says in Silence of the Lambs.
198. chyeah - July 14th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Kenneth Branagh is brilliant… he does the St. Crispin’s Day Speech. I memorized his version after watching Renaissance Man when I was about 10.
199. James - July 15th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I don’t know what to say really, 3 minutes to the biggest battle of our professional life all comes down to today. Either we heal as a team, or we’re gonna crumble. Inch by inch, play by play, till we’re finished.. We’re in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me. And we can stay here, get our shit kicked out of us, or, we can fight our way back. Back into the light, we can climb out of hell one inch at a time.
Now I can’t do it for u, I’m too old. But I look around, I see these young faces and I think, I mean, I’ve made every wrong choice a middle aged man could make. I pissed away all my money, believe it or not. I chased off anyone who’s ever loved me. And lately, I can’t even stand the face I see in a mirror.
You know when u get old in life, things get taken from u. I mean, that’s part of life. But u only learn that, when u start losing stuff. You find out life’s game ages, and so is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small, I mean, one half a step too late or too early, you don’t quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast, u don’t quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They’re in every break of the game, every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches, that’s gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing, between living and dying.
The thing here is, In any fight it’s the guy who is wiling to die who’s going to win that inch. And I know if I’m going to have a life anymore, is because I’m still willing to fight and die for that inch. Because that’s what living is. This 6 inches in front of your face. Now I can’t make u do it.
You got to look at that guy right next to you and look into his eyes. Now I think you’re gonna see a guy who will go that inch with u. You will see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he know when it comes down to it, you’re gonna do the same for him.
Now that’s a team gentlemen.
And, either we heal, now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That’s football guys,
that’s all there is.