Whenever soldiers go into battle, whether it was the knights of Europe or today’s battle-hardened combat troops, there was always a commanding officer giving an incredibly moving and inspiring speech. In the movie world, it’s no different, except it’s to get the audiences pumped for an upcoming battle of epic proportions. For this reason, this episode of The Best will feature the greatest movie speeches ever. Nothing gets the blood pumping like a bad-ass speech from a charismatic leader. So, without further delay, here are The Best: Movie Speeches.
Pacific Rim
This one falls into the “short-but-sweet” category. After a resounding success by the humans against the alien Kaiju monsters, Idris Elba’s Stacker Pentecost delivers a powerful speech that gets the survivors ready for the final battle. I don’t think anybody could have done this as well as Mr. Elba. He’s got that gruff and confident bravado that comes with experience and he proves that he’s the leader that they need. It’s pretty bad-ass.
Braveheart
Is there anybody who has NOT seen this movie yet? Well, let me tell you why you should: Just for this speech. It’s powerful, affecting, and combined with James Horner’s fantastic score, this is the kind of speech that makes you want to pick up a Scottish claymore and stand in defiance. This is Mel Gibson at his finest, both directing and starring in. Braveheart is one of the greatest epics ever put on the silver screen. This has to be seen.
Patton
This is another historical figure, General George S. Patton, who delivered this rousing speech to the Third Army during World War II. Now, granted: the film’s version of the speech was truncated quite a bit, but it still had the effect that the movie-makers were going for. George C. Scott was the only choice to play the legendary 4-Star General. While I don’t personally think his rhetoric would sit well in today’s world, but I have to admit, he got the men moving during World War II.
Independence Day
What can I say about this one? This one is definitely a personal favorite. Yeah, it’s science fiction, but Independence Day is still one of the funnest blockbusters ever released. This speech by Bill Pullman’s President Whitmore sends chills down my spine every time I watch it. Why? Because it’s a good goddamn speech, that’s why. While the film may come across as cheesy at times, you can’t ignore the star power in the film. Nobody could have delivered this speech the way Bill Pullman did.
Gladiator
For Gladiator, you get two for the price of one. Russell Crowe plays General Maximus Decimus Meridius, the commander of the armies of the north. Betrayed and left for dead by “Emperor” Commodus, Maximus returns to unleash his vengeance on the man who murdered his family. The opening speech is as amusing as it is inspiring: “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” The second was more of a threat than an actual speech, but it still counts as far as I’m concerned. It’s VERY powerful. Nobody else but Russell Crowe could have pulled it off.
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Aragorn’s speech at the Battle of the Black Gate is one for the history books. Viggo Mortensen delivers one of the most iconic battle speeches in cinema history as the new king of Gondor. Return of the King? Oh, yes. That is a definite yes. This is one of the most impassioned speeches I’ve seen in years, and still hasn’t been matched to this day. It’s a great movie and a great conclusion to a great film series, so it has to be big.
Those are my picks for some of The Best: Movie Speeches ever. So, feel free to add any of your own down below and I will talk to you next time on The Best.