100 Crowd Scenes - An Interactive List

**megladon8** · 06-22-2009, 11:15 PM

22.) The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

The scene that first popped in my mind when I read the thread title.

The ball, featuring the appearance of the Masque of the Red Death.

**Russ** · 06-22-2009, 11:23 PM

I noticed how the vast majority of these are much older films. Nowadays, is it a cost-prohibitive environment that's responsible for the CGI stand-in we might see in really large crowd shots? Part of the huge thrill of seeing something like that on-screen was in the knowledge that someone had to supervise the logistical nightmare of such an assemblage -- and it frequently culminated in a shot that was marveled at from both a technical perspective and an emotional one. I hate the disconnect that we get now on so many of the manufactured shots.

**Dead & Messed Up** · 06-22-2009, 11:29 PM

Quoting Russ (view post)

I noticed how the vast majority of these are much older films. Nowadays, is it a cost-prohibitive environment that's responsible for the CGI stand-in we might see in really large crowd shots? Part of the huge thrill of seeing something like that on-screen was in the knowledge that someone had to supervise the logistical nightmare of such an assemblage -- and it frequently culminated in a shot that was marveled at from both a technical perspective and an emotional one. I hate the disconnect that we get now on so many of the manufactured shots.

Agreed. Surely The Lord of the Rings has some dizzying crowd scenes, but so much is animation...

**thefourthwall** · 06-22-2009, 11:33 PM

23. The Crowd

Not to be too literal, but both the shots of the office as well as the finale at the show are poignant.

**Spinal** · 06-22-2009, 11:35 PM

24. Happy Feet

**Qrazy** · 06-22-2009, 11:36 PM

Quoting Russ (view post)

I noticed how the vast majority of these are much older films. Nowadays, is it a cost-prohibitive environment that's responsible for the CGI stand-in we might see in really large crowd shots? Part of the huge thrill of seeing something like that on-screen was in the knowledge that someone had to supervise the logistical nightmare of such an assemblage -- and it frequently culminated in a shot that was marveled at from both a technical perspective and an emotional one. I hate the disconnect that we get now on so many of the manufactured shots.

I agree but there are still a few films and filmmakers who do things old school.

25. Russian Ark

Not this shot but the final track backward at the end of the film.

**Raiders** · 06-22-2009, 11:37 PM

26. War of the Worlds

Initial attack

**megladon8** · 06-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Back in the early days of cinema, films would often be judged based solely on how many huge crowd shots were there.

That's why it's not uncommon to see epic silent films with posters that say "Featuring a cast of THOUSANDS!"

**thefourthwall** · 06-22-2009, 11:38 PM

27. Moulin Rouge!

This isn't quite it, but I love during "El Tango de Roxanne" when there are fifty or so silhouetted couples slowly doing the exact same dance moves. Appeals to my heightened desire for symmetry.

**Spinal** · 06-22-2009, 11:46 PM

28. The Wizard of Oz

Winston* · 06-22-2009, 11:50 PM

29. Spirited Away.

**Sven** · 06-23-2009, 12:05 AM

(taking a cue from Winnie*)

30.

**monolith94** · 06-23-2009, 12:12 AM

.31

There is a crowd of people in the ballroom, aren't there?

**Stay Puft** · 06-23-2009, 12:20 AM

32. Tokyo Fist

Tsuda (Tsukamoto) stumbles through a downtown Tokyo crowd after him and his wife violently assault each other.

**Stay Puft** · 06-23-2009, 12:31 AM

33. Farewell My Concubine

I'll try to find good shots later, but I'm thinking of two scenes:

1) The fight that breaks out during the performance, and during which you-know-what happens to Gong Li.

2) The mob scene at the end, when Douzi and Shitou are forced to "confess."

**megladon8** · 06-23-2009, 12:34 AM

34.) The Matrix Revolutions

Neo and Agent Smith fight among millions of Agent Smith's.

**Bosco B Thug** · 06-23-2009, 03:02 AM

I can't think of a quirky entry. All I can think of is Eisenstein and Antonioni and Altman.

**Bosco B Thug** · 06-23-2009, 03:11 AM

35. Nashville

The rally event

**Dead & Messed Up** · 06-23-2009, 03:21 AM

Quoting Bosco B Thug (view post)

I can't think of a quirky entry. All I can think of is Eisenstein and Antonioni and Altman.

Well, someone's gonna have to post Potemkin sooner or later.

Wyler and DeMille aren't quirky, but I haven't seen a mention yet.

**Mysterious Dude** · 06-23-2009, 03:35 AM

36. M

Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) faces his accusers.

And if I may make a suggestion about these interactive lists: maybe they should start with 100 and work their way down to 1, like we did when we made up that one guy's list (was it eternity? can't remember). That way, people might be inclined to save the good ones for the end.

**trotchky** · 06-23-2009, 03:42 AM

Quoting Bosco B Thug (view post)

35. Nashville

The rally event

Hell yeah.

**trotchky** · 06-23-2009, 03:48 AM

On that note...

37. Rachel Getting Married

The wedding rehearsal/The wedding

**trotchky** · 06-23-2009, 03:54 AM

38.Babel

Tokyo club scene.

**Mysterious Dude** · 06-23-2009, 04:50 AM

39. The Battle of Algiers

The final demonstration.

**B-side** · 06-23-2009, 05:57 AM

40. Ivan the Terrible I

Infiltration.

Thread: 100 Crowd Scenes - An Interactive List

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