Top 5 Saddest Movie Moments
Roger Ebert once said: “Movies are like a machine that generates empathy: it lets you understand hopes; aspirations; dreams and fears; it helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.” So when that journey comes to an end or hits a certain bump in the road, it is us, the viewer, who generates the same emotions and feelings that we see before us on the screen. Pretty powerful stuff.
Moments in which we find sad may be different or unexpected for all of us and conjures up various unconscious elements surrounding empathy, sympathy and concern. I cry at more things from the silver screen than I do in my normal life, so what does that say about me?
Below are what I personally consider to be the saddest moments (ranked sad to saddest) in movie history; moments which seldom fail to move me or remind me why I love witnessing the variety of relationships and characters that unfold onscreen - something that truly confirms the power of cinema as an art form.
Typically, these are all movie endings so *SPOILER WARNINGS* are heavily advised – sorry!
5. Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Dir. Giuseppe Tornatore
Cinema Paradiso is truly one of the greatest films ever to grace the silver screen. As we recount the life of Toto (Salvatore Cascio) and his childhood in Southern Italy, we learn of his unique and life-changing relationship with illiterate projectionist Alfredo (Phillipe Noiret). His role in the small Sicilian village saw him screen movies of all kinds for the community, but was forced to censor any kissing, provocative or controversial love scenes by the local priest. 30 years later, Toto (Jacques Perrin) returns home after learning of Alfredo's death to discover a gift that he had saved for him for all these years. This film is the greatest love story to cinema in movie history and this scene alone speaks volumes for the true significance and power of film which is essentially supported by Ennio Morrecone's beautiful score.
4. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) – Dir. Frank Capra
“The richest man in town.”
We all know that It's a Wonderful Life is a festive favourite, and rightly so - it's the perfect recipe for spreading Christmas cheer for all to hear despite its depressing undertone. As we witness an all-American man on the brink of despair, we learn of the impact that George Bailey (James Stewart) has made on his small East coast town. As we see George's neighbours pile together money to help save him from bankruptcy, he doesn't truly understand the nature of this gesture until Harry (Todd Karns) says: "to my big brother George, the richest man in town." The look on Stewart's face is one of excruciating gratitude to the point that it's as if he almost misheard. It is the defining moment for me that exudes a power and emotion that is often rare to witness on the screen.
3. Terms of Endearment (1983) – Dir. James L. Brooks
“I'm so stupid.”
Terms of Endearment is a prime example of the extraordinary group of films that were circulating in the late 1970s and early 1980s that focused on the complicated relationships between American families. Following the tumultuous mother-daughter relationship that has unfolded, we later witness Emma (Debra Winger) pass away from cancer. Her difficult mother Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) doesn't have the strength to look her in the eye; turning away in shock as her daughter slips away. Thinking that it would somehow be a relief that her daughter would no longer be in pain, she instantly feels stupid for having wished for such a preposterous thing. MacLaine deserved the Oscar for her performance - if only for that brief moment.
2. The Killing Fields (1984) – Dir. Roland Joffé
“Nothing to forgive.”
Depicting the true events of the Cambodian Genocide, this film recounts the relationship between American journalist Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) and Cambodian photographer Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) who – instead of escaping Cambodia with his family - stayed behind to help his colleague before being captured and tortured by the Khmer Rogue regime. Four years later, the two are reunited as John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is solemnly heard in the background. After first viewing The Killing Fields at age 14, I had to lock myself in the bathroom for about 40 minutes as a way of calming myself down. What makes this movie even sadder is that Ngor - after winning his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor - was subsequently murdered outside his home by a robber for refusing to hand over the locket that belonged to his wife.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) – Dir. Miloš Forman
“Let's go.”
Randle “Mac” MacMurphy (Jack Nicholson) brought the inmates of an Oregon psychiatric hospital to life in this landmark American film, encouraging them to love baseball, stand up to authority and notice their worth – despite being “crazy.” Always goofing around and encouraging anarchy, we see Mac previously emulate a vegetative state after electroshock therapy. However, after a second round of therapy, we later learn that this time around Mac is not joking. Promising Chief (Will Sampson) that the two would escape this hell hole and run to the Oregon mountains, Chief smothers his friend after vowing to never see him in that state and leave the hospital without him. As we see Chief lift the infamous water fountain that Mac so famously failed to do, he runs to the mountains as fellow inmate Max (Christopher Lloyd) ferociously cheers to his victory. Never have I seen such justice and integrity on the silver screen and it still slays me every time.