10 Most Elaborate Movie Climaxes Ever

Alfred Hitchcock, even while indulging in his own often creepy fetishes, always knew how to thrill an audience. Even his early silent works before making the jump to from England contain early kernels of suspense-filled atmosphere and early examples of elaborate narrative.

It wasn't until he made a splash in Hollywood, however, that audiences really took notice. And while his personal favourites weren't the major successes upon release (Vertigo and Shadow of a Doubt, namely), they've since undergone considerable re-evaluation and have earned their rightful place in history.

As for his other, major releases, the master of suspense certainly knew how to offer up a spectacle at the end. He would utilize location better than any living filmmaker. Not since King Kong climbed the Empire State Building were famous national monuments on display in scenes of tension and edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Take, if you will, the thrilling conclusion of 1942's Saboteur. After being falsely accused of starting a fire at an airplane factory, worker Robert Cummings goes on a nation-spanning run from Johnny Law and the actual conspirators. After finally catching up with the antagonist (Norman Lloyd), they scuffle at the top of the Statue of Liberty, where the villain slips off the raining, dangling from Lady Liberty's torch.

Though shot on a studio lot (that Universal Studios used to allow audiences to duplicate), Hitcock's sense of space and tense build up make it all too real.