Ramblings and Retrospectives: Top Five Openings

Just something light for a Monday afternoon - hopefully, it'll generate some discussion between the few people that actually read this blog. Nothing too complex about this, just list your favourite openings to books, films or records - that should help get this blog out of its movie-fixation.

5) M, Fritz Lang (1931) - 7:50

Not much happens for the first few minutes in Fritz Lang's greatest film - A mother waits for her children to return from school, a girl plays with a ball, a man buys the girl a balloon. After a brief shots of empty locations, the ball stops bouncing and the balloon floats away. The effect is absolutely devastating. The lack of a score adds to the effect. In presenting the action onscreen so ordinarily, so plainly, M succeeds where many 'slice of life' films fail. It genuinely feels real and because of that, it is truly horrifying.

4) Yes, Manic Street Preachers, the Holy Bible (1994) - 4:59

Kicking off one of the angriest records ever made is this odd 5 minute long track (bizarrely, it gains 13 seconds on the American edit). Now, I am of the opinion that the songs present on the Holy Bible are some of the finest ever committed to record, but for years this song didn't seem to fit in for me. Unlike its brethren, it isn't particularly loud, fast or self-loathing. It didn't have an politicking imbued in its lyrics either. When I rediscovered this record about a year ago, everything seemed to click into place. This track acts as a rabbit hole, a gateway into the depravity and rage contained with the remaining tracks. It is the only time when lyricist Richey Edwards dedicates an equal amount of bile to both himself and society. Obviously, a pretty grim picture is painted, but it is an equally powerful and intoxicating image.

3) A Matter of Life and Death, Powell and Pressburger (1946) - 6:33

Ah, one of my favourite feel good films. It is rare that I watch this and not shed a tear by the end of the first scene. 'You're life June and I'm leaving you' - what a line! And to say it without any fear or hostility or regret? You've got to admire the guts on David Niven's Squadron Leader Peter Carter. Truly, the whole open segment is beautifully shot - the technicolour is a thing of marvel, wonderfully acted and just a joy to behold.

2) Sunday Morning, the Velvet Underground and Nico, s/t (1967) - 2:59

I just read that originally song was written to be a big hit with Nico singing. To be honest though, nothing beats Lou Reed's lethargic take on this seminal 60's tune.

1) Once Upon a Time in the West, Sergio Leone (1968) - at least 10:00

So long, it doesn't fit on one YouTube video
There's not much I can say about this one that hasn't already been said a thousand times previous. All I will add is that I saw this again at the cinema a couple of weeks ago with my girlfriend, who hadn't seen it before. I loved that the beginning still works perfectly - laughs in all the right places, winces too - and unlike some portions of the film, it never drags. Not once have I ever looked at my watch whilst watching this. It is absolutely perfect.