There’s our favorite movies, our favorite characters, our favorite scenes, our favorite one liners. Movies and TV are full of them, and they get talked about all the time. Arguments erupt, friendships end (quite possibly, some relationships too) over whether Han shot first, Connery or Craig, and what exactly does the end of Inception really mean? (For the last time, it doesn’t matter if it’s a dream or not!)
You know what never really gets talked about? The best movie and TV speeches. I have never been in a conversation that started with “hey, what’s your favorite inspirational speech from film in the past decade?” Probably because it’s not the greatest of conversation topics, but more than a simple one liner, great speeches in film and TV often are the cornerstone of the big ideas the film or show is trying to get at. Some of them can be super on point, while others are a bit more subtle. There’s great moving speeches, and short simple conversations. Regardless, they each pack a whopper of emotional weight and meaning that get at the heart of life, love, what’s right, what’s wrong, our very potential, individual and universal. Here’s a list of ten of my favorite ones.
Not all of these speeches are the “yay, hoorah! go you!” pep talks you’re probably thinking of when you hear the word “inspirational.” Not all inspirational speeches have to leave you feeling like you’re on the top of the world. There are different levels of inspiring. And they’re all important.
Independence Day
Aliens are getting ready to attack Earth. Sounds complicated. But Bill Pullman’s speech to rally his troops in 1996’s Independence Day came down to a simple message: they are fighting for their right to live. For the first time, the entire world would stand as one to fight for their freedom. It’s a beautiful sentiment that does its job in getting everyone ready to kill some aliens.
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Good Will Hunting
Part inspiring, part tragic, Ben Affleck’s speech to Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting is one of my favorites because often times it’s trusting or not trusting the faith your friends have in you that can make or break you. It’s realizing that maybe you have to leave some people behind in order to live to your potential.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
This won’t be the only time Buffy the Vampire Slayer makes an appearance on this list. Buffy’s “Are you ready to be strong” speech in the series finale is a call to arms not just to the potential slayers, but to everyone as well. “Are you ready to be strong?” implies that no matter your stature or your position in life, strength is a choice.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
A brief moment on the front steps of Mount Doom. Everything’s fire and destruction around Sam and Frodo, but it’s Sam’s small speech about the little things he misses from the Shire that put a little light to their situation. Throughout the run of Lord of the Rings, Sam has quite a few philosophical musings, but I like this one because it’s a reminder of things still to live for, no matter what situation you might be in. Not to mention, it’s a great example of their friendship, when at the very end of the clip, Sam says “I may not be able to carry [the ring] for you, but I can carry you!”
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Scrubs
Throughout the entirety of Scrubs, Dr. Cox was mostly full of sarcasm and bitterness. But there were moments where his vulnerability and self-awareness shown through. The best moment was in season one episode 15, while he was being interviewed by a psychologist. He explains where he failed in his marriage, but it’s also a speech about the importance of such relationships and how happiness requires work. For a cynic like Dr. Cox to say that love and happiness is possible, well, how is that not inspiring?
Mad Max: Fury Road
For a man who doesn’t say much, Max Rockatansky knows just what to say to Furiosa and the others to get them to turn back. Max isn’t promising anything, just laying down the best course of action. They’re luckiest shot. When Furiosa asks what’s at the Citadel for them and Max answers “green,” it’s a call back to the one thing that kept Furiosa focused on escaping the Citadel in the first place. In just a few simple words, Max reinvigorates the escape party.
Friday Night Lights
You probably thought Friday Night Lights was just some random television show about high school football. But when star quarterback Jason Street went down in the home opener in the pilot episode and never got back up, it became something more. The end of the pilot episode gave us probably the best speech from Coach Eric Taylor, the first of many. It’s a speech about the inevitably of tragedy, but it’s also a speech about how together, we can all overcome that tragedy.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Living in the shadow of a hero sister is tough for Dawn Summers, especially when she discovers she isn’t a potential in season seven. But in “Potential,” Xander sits Dawn down to tell her she isn’t special, she’s extraordinary. It’s a great moment between the two because Xander is in a similar position, always playing the human sidekick to his supernaturally-powered friends.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Battle speeches are rife with inspiration, but it’s Aargorn’s short battle cry right before they charge the black gates of Mordor that gets me every time I watch this movie. “But it is not this day!” he yells to his clearly frightened troops. Do not worry about the inevitability of failure. As long as they fight, they will succeed.
Shawshank Redemption
All inspirational speeches have a level of sentimentality to them, and the “hope is a good thing” speech at the end of Shawshank Redemption is no exception. But it’s a great feel good moment, especially Red, who’s woes of living in the real world again were getting to them, and his acceptance of Andy’s words are proof that everything will be okay for the both of them.
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