50 Greatest Movie Scenes Ever

12. The Richest Man In Town - It's A Wonderful Life

Its A Wonderful Life
RKO Radio Pictures

Accused of stealing $8,000 from his own company (in reality, it's been stolen by lifelong nemesis Mr. Potter), Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey has to be talked out of suicide by real-life angel Clarence in the climactic act of It's a Wonderful Life, by being shown just how much of an impact he's had on the people around him - and just how rich his life really is.

George returns to reality and rushes home to spend his final moments as a free man with his family, but then a genuine miracle happens. He's given up everything for this town, from career aspirations to even his honeymoon, and now its finally time to repay him. Just about every named character and extra comes tumbling through his door, donating money to help make up the deficit.

Hell, even Potter's men, ready to take George off to jail, waltz in, rip up the warrant, throw in some money and join in with the festivities. Auld Lang Sine is bellowed out by everyone in attendance, and Stewart delivers one of cinema's most iconic lines, "Atta boy, Clarence", after his celestial friend has finally earned his wings. Everyone gets not only what they wanted, but what they deserved.

[JB]

11. I Am Your Father - The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars I Am Your Father.jpg
Lucasfilm

The greatest twist in cinema history, The Empire Strikes Back's big reveal is also the turning point for the entire Star Wars saga.

Not only is it a complete shocker - especially for audiences back in 1980, unless you were in the same cinema as Homer Simpson, of course - but more so one of complete tragedy: following an intense, gorgeously-shot battle sequence, Luke Skywalker, our ultimate hero, loses his weapon, his hand, and with five words - "No, I am your father!" - his entire sense of identity.

His whole worldview is shattered in an instant; his hopes and dreams dashed, but still there's resolve. Still he has the will to keep on fighting. Still there is a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Star Wars, or A New Hope, was a GREAT space fantasy, but this is the operatic moment that turned it into a true epic, and things would never be the same again.

[JH]

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