12 Incredible Slow Burn Movie Scenes With Killer Pay Offs

6. Road To Perdition -€“ Silent Shootout

Sam Mendes' 1930s American crime drama is a thing of utter beauty, from its precision cinematography to the mesmerising performances given by its cast; every detail is presented with jaw-dropping zeal. This is most evident in an almost silent scene that features one of the most visually stunning shootouts in cinematic history. As mobster John Rooney €“ played masterfully by the late Paul Newman €“ and his bodyguards make their way to his car, they are gunned down in the rain by Rooney's adoptive son, Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks).

The combination of pathetic fallacy and eerie silence warns the viewer of an impending tragedy. Shot in slow motion and backed by a sombre orchestral piece, we see each of the guards silently mowed down in the street, as rain trickles off the brims of their fedoras.

Michael finally emerges from the shadows, before reluctantly pulling the trigger on the only father figure he ever had. The shot lingers on Hanks' expressive face, which is enough to draw tears from even the most stone-hearted of viewers.