With Watchmen now in cinemas, everyone can enjoy the superb opening titles envisioned and created by director Zack Snyder.
The opening credits are often overlooked as simply a way to introduce the movie, but if you get the right team and have the right idea, they end up as shining little pieces of art all in their own right.
There are far too many great ones to simply list here, so we thought we’d pick some of our favourites from across the years.
From the stylish to the simple, story-telling to mood-setting, these title sequences grabbed our attention and stayed in our noggins…
The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)
Why is it cool? It’s Saul Bass… Do we need to say more? Okay, so Bass’ choice to focus on the arm – both in terms of Frank Sinatra’s character’s main talent and his battle with heroin addiction - was a masterstroke of simplicity.
Trivia Time: With this sequence, Bass managed to drag cinematic titles into a proper art form.
Previously, most titles had been so dull that projectionists would leave the curtains shut until the film actually began. But Arm arrived with a note on cans: “Projectionists – pull curtain before titles”. Director Otto Preminger was one of the first directors to realise the credits could be an integral part of the film and not just a boring list.
Comments
chicks
Mar 10th 2009, 9:49
What about Raging Bull? It basically tells the entire movie in thirty seconds, just using one image.
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rolfaroo43
Mar 10th 2009, 10:45
where the bloody hell is city slickers 1 & 2?
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ashley.russell
Mar 10th 2009, 11:38
also Se7en and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang deserve a mention imo
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Kesker
Mar 10th 2009, 17:02
What about Catch Me if You Can? That has a great title sequence and some very cool music.
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SCQ47
Mar 10th 2009, 22:13
Missing North By Northwest. Panic Room? This must be another joke article that I just don't get.
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Padman
Mar 13th 2009, 16:07
From the Man with the Goldern Arm credits: Production designed by Joe Wright - who knew the Atonement director was so old? On a side note, the Watchmen intro, which has been removed here but can be found here: http://www.marty.com.au/science-fiction-to-fact/17-reviewsbookmovieaudio/113-opening-credits-for-watchmen-movie-full-sequence-in-visual-glory.html is undoubtedly very good, but in re-reading the comic I've just found a bit of an error... the immolation of Thich Quang Duc happened in 1963, which - the failed Crimbusters meeting occuring in 1966 - would make Laurie 13/14. That argument between her mother and husband is meant to happen 9 years earlier when she's 5 (as she's roughly shown to be in the intro). I dunno if they tackled that by making the 'watchmen' meeting later in the film, I'll have to wait till I've seen it again.
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jacksonjones
Mar 13th 2009, 16:22
don't laugh but i honestly think monsters inc. title sequence is quality. jackie brown's worth a mention i reckon. good use of a single, continuous shot
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peter
Mar 13th 2009, 16:53
Take a look at http://www.artofthetitle.com for more great title sequences
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peter
Mar 13th 2009, 16:55
Take a look at http://www.artofthetitle.com for more great title sequences
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peter
Mar 13th 2009, 16:57
Take a look at http://www.artofthetitle.com for more great title sequences
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daviejones
Mar 13th 2009, 17:11
Where is Once Upon a Time in the west, yeah its long but non the less, its the best
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mrsmiawallace
Mar 15th 2009, 14:56
Need a bigger list methinks TF - 6? Should be 10 at least.
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