Few cinematic delights beata good battle sequence.
However, a climactic showdown between armies is incomplete without some rousing words from a leader.
The war speech represents the leader’s last chance to connect with their troops before combat.
Image via Paramount Pictures
They can make a final appeal or even persuade reluctant followers to stand and fight rather than run.
These kinds of moments are inherently dramatic, which is why writers return to them again and again.
FromPacific RimtoDarkest Hour, here are the 10 best pre-battle speeches in cinema history.
Image via Legendary Pictures
It takes place in a future where humans build massive robots to battle monstrous sea creatures.
“Today we face the monsters that are at our door and bring the fight to them!”
It’s one of the movie’s many enjoyable moments.
Sold into slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks with his combat prowess.
Along the way, he delivers a bevy of hard-hitting lines like “Are you not entertained?”
and “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius.”
Image via Universal Pictures
Another highlight is his speech during the opening scene, where he urges his troops to hold the line.
For you are in Elysium, and youre already dead!"
8"Spartans, prepare for glory!"
“A new age has begun.
An age of freedom.
“The enemy outnumber us a paltry 3 to 1,” he quips.
Image via Warner Bros.
“Good odds for any Greek.”
7"Now for wrath, now for ruin!”
He then caps it off by invoking the old Rohan battle cry, “Forth Eorlingas!”.
Here, ‘Eorlingas’ means ‘People of Eorl’, a reference to their first king.
Over the course of the story,Henryevolves from a wayward prince into a determined leader.
In it, Henry calls on his followers to make one final effort and to unleash their ferocious side.
Image via New Line Cinema
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5"All real Americans love the sting of battle."
Scott is great in the part about capturing Patton’s fierce patriotism, tactical genius, and controversial personality.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
Many war movies since appear to have taken inspiration from this speech.
Spill their blood."
4"They may take our lives, but theyll never take our freedom!"
The film begins with Wallace’s peaceful life being shattered by English oppression, sparking his quest for freedom.
This sets the stage for one of cinema’s most famous war speeches.
“I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny.
Image via Paramount Pictures
You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are,” Wallace says.
He implies that refusing to back down is a kind of victory of its own.
3"I promise you a new Rome."
His deeds turn him into a symbol of resistance against tyranny.
“This campaign is not alone to kill Spartacus.
By contrast, Spartacus’s address is selfless and positive, aimed at the common good.
Image via Universal Pictures
We march tonight!”
2"But it is not this day."
“Sons of Gondor!
My brothers,” he begins, implying that the two nations are united.
In other words, he admits that they’re undertaking a daunting, likely deadly task.
Next, he gets a little pessimistic, admitting that the good guys will eventually lose.
Image via New Line Cinema
“A day may come when the courage of Men fails.”
But then he turns it around, saying, “But it is not this day!”
1’We shall never surrender!"
He nailsChurchill’s voice, gestures, and mannerisms with amazing accuracy.
He’s also terrific at delivering the Bulldog’s speeches.
The repetition hammers the point home, and has become the most famous part of the speech.
Image via Focus Features
Simply put, it ranks among the finest oratory ever.
NEXT:10 Great Movies Recommended by Wim Wenders
