It’s been a while, but I’m back with a list I’ve been planning for a long time: my all time favorite action sequences. A truly memorable sequence is not just about fighting, car chases, or explosions – it must have more. It needs dynamic characters, great pacing, tension, a nail biting climax, and a satisfying resolution. There are a few expected ones here, but I have tried to mix it up and include some lesser known films. But enough explanation: in no certain order, here are the scenes:
The Man From Nowhere
directed by Lee Jeong-beom
Synopsis
A quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug-and-organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend.
THE SCENE: Knife fight melee – After spending much of the movie being a man of little action and fewer words, the pawnbroker explodes when it is absolutely necessary. It becomes obvious in a few seconds that (with one exception), everyone has underestimated him. This is the best knife fight I have ever seen in any film – ever. If you only see one film on the list, it needs to be this one!
Train To Busan
directed by Yeon Sang-ho
Synopsis
While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
THE SCENE: Station scene. Everyone on the train believes they are meeting soldiers at the station, and will soon be safe! But then…. What could have just been another run of the mill zombie film is lifted up thanks to great screenwriting, an emotional redemption arc and insanely good special effects.
Children of Men
directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Synopsis
In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have somehow become infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.
THE SCENE: Theo (Clive Owen), tries to guide Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) and her newly delivered child through a battle field. In a film with more than one stunning action shots, I chose the beautiful, long tracking shot near the end. As the two mains move one limping step at a time through the war zone, the crying of the first baby born in 18 years causes all fighting (and action) to stop in a stunning ripple effect.
King Arthur
directed by Antoine Fuqua
Synopsis
A demystified take on the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
THE SCENE: Battle on the ice. As the invading Saxons approach across a frozen lake, the knights (and Guinevere) make a last stand. This is a stark, breathlessly shot scene where only a true sacrifice will deliver them.
Mongol: The Rise of Ghengis Khan
directed by Sergei Bodrov
Synopsis
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world in 1206.
THE SCENE: The battle between Temujin (Future Genghis Khan) and his childhood blood brother Jamukha. The winner will become the ruler of Mongolia. Rather than brute force, this scene displays the military prowess that Temudjin has gained through the film paired with glorious visuals and a unique score. I absolutely recommend this film!
Last of The Mohicans
directed by Michael Mann
Synopsis
Three Mohican trappers agree to protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.
THE SCENE: Meadow massacre where the retreating English soldiers and civilians are butchered by the Huron. While the insanity happens around them, director Michael Mann (an absolute master) keeps us laser focused on Daniel Day-Lewis’ sprint to save Madeline Stowe.
House of Flying Daggers
directed by Yimou Zhang
Synopsis
A romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
THE SCENE: Echo Game with pebbles and drums. Here Zang Ziyi’s character is blind, and stands in the middle of a circle of drums. She is supposed to listen to a pebble hit one of the drums and then hit the same with her sleeve. By the end it’s just a dazzling explosion of fabric and drumbeats.
The Bourne Supremacy
directed by Paul Greengrass
Synopsis
When Jason Bourne is framed for a CIA operation gone awry, he is forced to resume his former life as a trained assassin to survive.
THE SCENE: Rooftop chase in Morocco. Jason Bourne flees his pursuers while also chasing the man chasing Julia Stiles. What really makes this sequence great is that Bourne and his combatant really use everything in the room against each other: books, a pen, a towel – whatever. What is certainly clear is that only one of them is leaving the room alive.
V/H/S/: Viral (‘Dante the Great’)
directed by Gregg Bishop
Synopsis
John McMullen, an unskilled illusionist, finds a magic cloak that grants him real magical powers.
THE SCENE: John and his former assistant battle for possession of the cape. Everywhere. This is such a fun scene, full of unexpected action. You absolutely have no idea what is going to happen next now that magic is involved, and that makes it that much more fun.
The Salvation
directed by Kristian Levring
Synopsis
In 1870s America, the fury of a notorious gang leader is unleashed when a peaceful American settler avenges the death of his family. Then as his cowardly fellow townspeople betray him, he is forced to hunt down the outlaws alone.
THE SCENE: Final shootout against the outlaws. I don’t know what they teach the soldiers in Finland, but stay out of their way! Mads Mikkelson outsmarts the majority of the outlaws with guerrilla tactics from underneath a building.
Are there any scenes you love that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
