10 Mind-Blowing Long Takes
8. Goodfellas
The crime film was redefined with the release of Goodfellas. Martin Scorsese's epic carved its place in history with its innovative use of narration and different musical styles to usher in the changing eras. Not only that, but Goodfellas features an extended and complicated tracking shot sequence, becoming a new hallmark of cinematography.
Scorsese and cinematographer Michael Ballhaus' camera tracks Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he leads Karen (Lorraine Bracco) into the Copacabana club past the long line, through an alternate entrance, down the back stairwell, and weaving around the chaos of the kitchen until they find their seats in the club. Along the way, Henry talks to the workers in the club, chums it up with those he recognizes, and hands out money like it is an infinite resource. With all the power and influence this shot gives Hill, it's easy to understand why he'd feel like it is.
The best tracking shots, more than just being visual marvels, indicate something about the character's relationship with the world as they move through it. What Scorsese and Ballhaus have crafted here is more than just a great shot; Scorsese and Ballhaus have crafted an intricate distillation of the tempting power a life of crime can grant.