20 Greatest Final Shots In Movies Ever

2. The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather Ending
Paramount Pictures

Honestly, this spot could've easily been taken up by the final shot of either the first two Godfather movies, but Francis Ford Coppola's searing original just about clinches it for so superbly cementing the rise of Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino).

The haunting final glimpse shows Michael's wife Kay (Diane Keaton) looking on while Michael is greeted by his capos as Don Corleone, confirming to her that Michael has fully committed to taking his father Vito's (Marlon Brando) place as the ruthless head of the family.

The scene is of course front-loaded by the montage of death, at Michael's behest, which occurs moments earlier, ensuring the lingering look at Kay's face as the door closes on her is one of the most emotionally fraught endings in all of cinema.

Dramatically, thematically and symbolically, it is perfection.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.