The Last Picture Show - Sam's monologue

[730ian]

...rip sam sure bro! 

[cosmicdingo]

So true to life it kinda hurts to watch, but I do.Only film remotely like it for reality is Dazed and confused,though a completly different time period. Also see the original film version of Friday Night Lights.Notice how all involve Texas.

[mahargsaxet]

I'll bet that tank is not 5 feet deep. Horses would have a hard time swimming. Forget the horses and get back to skinnydipping.

[hammerogod]

If ever an Oscar was earned in the history of the 'Academy' Ben Johnson earned his.

What a masterpiece of acting.

Flawless, Mesmerizing, Effective, Memorable, Perfect, Utterly Convincing.

I love you Ben...and I miss you.

[slightofffist]

@hammerogod The camera shot itself invoked an aura of reverence.

[ragingbull5150]

most poignant coming of age film ever

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Love it.

George Vreeland Hill

[A444038]

ive drank beer at that tank and trown rocks in it didnt swim or fish though

[cosmicdingo]

Ben Johnson was a real cowboy, who could do Western's in his sleep, but expanded his repetoire later to become a formidable character actor.

[TheJbach]

Whoa now you boys.... what's all this talk about? And just who is old here? I'm 55, and consider my life yet yet in its prime w/ much in store! My Dad told me when I turned 35 ".... you've got another 70 years to go". Well, looks like I'm bound to make at least 100!! Keep alive now, boys!!

[TheTweeter53]

@TheJbach I'm 55 too. No, 55 isn't old, but like Sam the Lion said, it's "getting old." Huge difference! Yes, in some ways we are in our prime. But still, as Sam the Lion said so powerfully, "we're getting old.' That's what makes this scene so powerful; the contrast between late middle age and youth. 10- 15 short years from now, we won't be getting old: we will be old! At 55, you should be a realist. Enjoy your life my friend! Time is so very fleeting!

[mnw1989]

They don't make them like Ben Johnson any more

[dixi1960]

best film ever, no ifs buts or maybes

[vivienmerchant]

A scene of almost unbearable tenderness and sadness. The actor was fantastically good in this single take, with the sound of the little reed warbler and the wind on the dub. This has the power of a poem.

[etresanchez]

Great movie, great actor, Ben Johnson. I miss this kind of men.

[NoLongerFooled]

Ben Jonhson.....so many films

[kerrlockhart]

When I first saw this at age 16, it gave me my first glimpse of the sadness of time passing. Now that I am 54, I can barely look at it for all the beautiful times gone by in life. I want to weep, in sorrow for time, and in joy for the artistry of Johnson and Bogdanovich. Thank you, Mr. B.

[stevediorio]

@kerrlockhart

I agree with everything you wrote.I just turned 50,and I know that the best times of my life are in the past,not the future,but,I am ok with it.I am thankful that I lived long enough to have felt all the emotions,good and bad in life.This scene is more powerful now.What would Sam the Lion think if he were to see this country today?

[TheTweeter53]

@stevediorio This scene is so beautiful, and so powerful. The backdrop is absolutely breathtaking with the water current serving as a metaphor for the current of life. You have to be 50 or over to truly understand what Sam the Lion is saying here. I totally agree with you. This scene is more powerful now, when we see it from the vantage point of middle age rather than youth. If Sam were alive today, he'd be disgusted by our country. We've changed so much, and not for the better.

[TheTweeter53]

@kerrlockhart I totally agree with all of your beautiful sentiments. This is one of the most powerful scenes in motion picture history. I'm 55 now, and you have to have lived a full life in order to fully appreciate what Sam the Lion is saying here. When I saw this at age 16, I identified with Sonny Crawford more than Sam. Now, 40 years later, I can truly understand the depth of Sam's sentiments. They give me chills, because I truly know what Sam means. Powerful beyond words.

[OBDjFH05]

@kerrlockhart I think I watch this scene about 2 or 3 times a month. I love the way he sees the past go by in his mind's eye...the way the camera moves in to capture the young man who he used to be, and then pulls back to represent what he's become...LOVE THAT SCENE!

[TheTweeter53]

@OBDjFH05 I too love this scene. It's really, really powerful.

[leonsundust1]

@kerrlockhart Well said... So true!

Thank you.

[klinteastwood]

I love the way the camera slowly pulls in on Johnson and then back out again

[toecutterr6]

@klinteastwood very subtle, yet very powerful.

[jakyjac63]

The world needs more Sam the Lion.

[Yoetah]

I love the sound of the mourning dove

[oscarmacaroni]

one of my favorite scenes.

[eecortese]

Not much more to say, is there?

[girlonlaptop]

awesome!!!

[locheelad2]

A sincerely boring film, as fuking boring now as in '71, goodbye boring shite.

[1SECRETBILLY]

Back when men were men and wore fruit of the looms

[whiskypapa]

Such a good movie. Ben is great. We have a pretty sorry collection of movie actors these days.

[Jitpring]

Ben originally refused this role because of all the foul language. They rewrote his part and he then accepted. A class act Ben was.

[Astrodan2600]

@Jitpring Yeah, and not bad for a stuntman. He was in Shane, another great movie.

[edgardomoreno]

is that george bush?

[HAPPYTHELEAF]

And he tipped off Shane,had not the stomach to shoot a man in the back,thanks for the clip, years since I saw this movie.

[HAPPYTHELEAF]

There is more dignity in Ben Johnsons used toilet paper than in bushes entire being...

[marcusliciniusad]

@HAPPYTHELEAF Oh, that's brilliant...your mommy figure that one out for you?

[GR40RACER]

One of the last real cowboys of Hollywood, Ben Johnson won a world rodeo roping chanpionship in 1953, he also won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing the role of Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show.

[1SECRETBILLY]

This is true about most fishing trips.Storytelling !! bravo

[HAPPYTHELEAF]

I agree tis many a tale was told at the end of a days fishing,more so if it was not a productive one,I can just see it now,

[BunnyMan456]

Ben Johnson is king

[ronfosterjr]

This is real Texas history!

[1SECRETBILLY]

Way to go fidex5 this sure brings relief to a tough year.I miss having a good time fishing and listening to stories

[jett1955]

I'd forgotten how great this really is...

Strikes a nerve with me...

[1SECRETBILLY]

Pure piece of americana from an actor that can convey that in no uncertain terms.Splendid

[varadero1839]

Wow! You really know how to pick 'em! Thanks Billy! You never cease to amaze me! Also, an especial thanks to fidesx5 for this amazing clip, showing an elegant actor, coupled with some superb dialog! I'm grateful to be included!

[michaelbillypec]

being crazy about a woman like her is always the right thing to do.

[mpbliesener]

The wisdom of years. This is such a great scene! Timeless thoughts, memories of anyone who has lived a life.