9 Stunning Opening Movie Scenes That Hooked You Immediately

6. The Godfather

The Godfather is remembered as one of the best films ever made and its opening scene sets us up for what became one of the most quoted and memorable films of all time. About power, loyalty and corruption, The Godfather is remembered as, well, the Godfather of mafia movies and one of the finest American films ever produced. If you haven't seen it yet, finish this article and then go watch it. Seriously.

Another film with an opening monologue, it begins with a brilliant bit of exposition that places us right in the heart of the business and pulls no punches on establishing exactly how important Don Corleone is. We see a man painfully describes how the American legal system has let him and his daughter down after she was beaten within inches of her life. The excellent choice of shot and perspective shift works brilliantly to change the focus of the character's dialogue.

Beginning extremely personal, it almost feels like he is talking to us before the slow pan back reveals an out of focus hand signalling for a drink. It's a wonderfully excellent shift in power, executed perfectly from Francis Ford Coppola to highlight the significance of the man sat before us, The Godfather.