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Geekweek Picks Cinema’s Greatest Long Takes

Mike Le has chosen the 20 Greatest Extended Takes in Movie History.

There are several amazing extended takes that I would have included in this list but was unable to because they are not available online to view, like the ones in ATONEMENT and JCVD. I felt it would be unfair to make reference to something visually when I could not offer it up for review. But I do recommend checking those films out on DVD if you haven't done so.

Long takes always get lots of attention. Ever since Bazin singled out Orson Welles' strategies in Citizen Kane, they've been an auteurist signature. I happen to think the long take in Atonement, while impressive logistically, is a bit dramatically turgid. It's not blocked well; it contains many dead spaces and doesn't retain the idea that the main character is looking for water while all this madness goes on around him.

Our eyes and brains actually rarely perceive the world in extended gulps. Instead, our eyes dart around in a way called a saccade. If quickly, this is perceived by the brain much like a cut in film. Either way, we tend to focus on something for a few seconds and move on.

About J. Ott

John Ott is a writer, filmmaker and futurist. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.