Some of the movie moments we remember most vividly are those that take place on the beach. The sand and surf are sights and sounds that reach into our memories. We experience the seaside emotionally. It’s no wonder that great filmmakers explore the sensory elements of the ocean. Add great action, superb character interaction, and voila! An iconic beach scene is born. Here are five fabulous ones:
Rocky III
Sylvester Stallone preparing to fight Clubber Lang has got some amazing beach running footage. Rocky is sprinting next to Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. He’s improving his speed with each run in an all-out effort to win the upcoming rematch. The footage features clever flips from boxing workouts to muscles pumping full-out along the shore. We feel his struggle in our guts. We see his “no pain, no gain” effort. We want Rocky to win. Great musical score, too. Super stuff.
“10”
Bo Derek running on the beach is one of the most stunning displays of true feminine beauty ever recorded. Dudley Moore sees her and realizes she is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. Moore is a lyricist from Hollywood and he’s reached a mid-life crisis. He dreams about her and goes everywhere to try to find her. It was Derek’s movie debut, and her natural beauty, sexy performance as a newly married woman; an object of lust, made her a star.
Chariots of Fire
The opening scene from this film inspired belief that anyone could run. Viewing the determined young runners evoked a moment’s feeling of running along with them. This moment of magic was sustained by the musical score by Vangelis. It was so successful at portraying the feeling of striving for excellence, that it became an international hit, and remains one of the most instantly recognized of many films. The British film from 1981 is about athlete Eric Liddell, and his controversial competition in the Summer Olympics of 1924.
Boys growing up in Scotland all knew the story of Liddell. Eric was born in China, the son of missionary parents. He became famous for running when he was a student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He planned to study science, but unexpectedly won 1st place against the university champion while running the 100 meters. He continued to compete and became a Scottish running celebrity.
Liddell was a Christian. He refused to run in the Sunday heats for his favorite men’s 100 meters, so he couldn’t compete in the actual race. He competed in the men’s 400 meters instead, though he wasn’t favored to win. Surprising everyone, he won the Gold Medal.
In 1925, after the Olympics, he returned to China to work as a missionary teacher. But during WWII, He died in a Japanese internment camp in 1945.
From Here to Eternity
When Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr were caught on film lying down and kissing as the waves of Halcona Cove, Oahu wash onto the shore, the erotic entanglement became the favorite scene of 1950s moviegoers. Their embrace is adultery, and the lovers are momentarily unaware of the water swirling around them. When they pull apart, and run along the beach to find a place away from the tide, every viewer is caught up in their run… what will happen next? Lancaster and Kerr play Milton and Karen, the risqué lovers running along the beach, but unable to run from their passion. They eventually drop to the sand and kiss again. It was considered torrid for the time. It was the closest thing to having sex on film that could have ever happened in those days. It wasn’t necessary to show it, as theater fans then completely knew that they had been, or would… It’s been more than 63 years since the film first premiered in theaters, but the scene is sensual beyond words. A classic.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2
Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew is preparing to hoist anchor. He’s not onboard yet, and one faithful sailor says that he won’t leave without Sparrow. A sound is heard, and Sparrow appears from around the bend… he’s running full speed ahead……of a huge crowd of angry islanders chasing him. Sparrow’s in top form…it’s completely hilarious, and one of the reasons why so many absolutely love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
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