10 Unforgettable Character Introductions In Movies

While admittedly not all that exciting, the opening to Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus is one of the most ambitious, symbolic and vital character introductions of all time.

It opens in 1898 with Daniel Plainview digging for silver in a tiny hole in the ground, and it culminates with him crawling to the nearest town for aid after breaking his leg. There’s no dialogue or music, and the only sounds that can be heard are the wind, Plainview’s heavy breathing, and the stone walls being whacked by his pickaxe.

All of this is riveting on its own, but its renowned status is earned through it being paramount to the film’s success as a character study and metaphor for the beginning of capitalism.

Throughout most of the picture, Plainview is depicted as a wealthy, selfish and vile man with greed at the forefront of his mind. Yet you are more forgiving and admiring of him thanks to how he was introduced as an ordinary manual labourer who worked for his wealth and didn’t scream, complain or cry when he got hurt.

Without this background, you'd have nothing but contempt and disgust for the b***ard Plainview becomes, but thanks to how Anderson never lets you forget about the hell he went through to earn his wealth, your feelings towards him are more complicated, thus making him a far more interesting and tragic figure of caution.