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Movie Scene: Inspirational Moments In Film History


When it comes to inspirational films, it’s hard to ignore “Saving Private Ryan” — especially the film’s first 25 minutes.

These are difficult times for all of us…and we could always use a boost to lift our spirits by surrounding ourselves with positive things to help us get through the day. I call these moments of inspiration where we get stimulated to a different plane, that enlivens a spirit of enthusiasm and optimism — to come up with and new and creative ideas. In films, it’s those moments that lift you to a new and exciting level of thinking and emotion. Where would we be without those kinds of films that warm your heart and stimulate your imagination and move you to a space where it’s only you and the action taking place on the screen…where nothing else matters?

There are all sorts of rankings of inspirational and emotional films to consider, all of which is subjective to your way of thinking and feeling, that has its greatest meaning, is to you — and only you. The films I’ve compiled speak to me, but I’m sure they have meaning to many of you as well. To capture the most inspirational moments from 90 years of filmmaking is impossible, because, as I noted, it’s what matters to you. However, by popular consensus and looking over lists prepared by film historians and the American Film Institute (AFI), and even the late, great Roger Ebert, here are a few films high on my list as the most inspirational films of all time, though saving my favorites for the end.

Enduring the first 25-minutes of “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)…seeing the grave sacrifices of the soldiers and witnessing the horrors of war.

The exhilaration we experience when the three astronauts return safely from their failed mission to the moon in “Apollo 13” (1995).

Living through the horror of WWII concentration camps in “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “The Pianist” (2002).

The reunion of two friends on a beach after enduring years of cruel punishment in a prison in “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994).

The heartfelt and inspirational story of a young girl and her family hiding German oppression during WWII in “The Diary of Anne Frank” (1959).

The triumph of three African-American women in the early 1960s who contributed to the space program in “Hidden Figures” (2017).

The thrill of team victory in “Hoosiers” (1986) and personal victory in “Rudy” (1993).

The revelatory ending to “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008).

The immense personal achievement at a crucial time in British history at the outbreak of WWII in “The King’s Speech” (2010).

The incredible fortitude, willpower and perseverance to live through a harsh wintry climate after a savage bear attack in “The Revenant” (2015).

The joy of achieving personal goals against gender prejudice in “A League of their Own” (1992).

The unexpected and quite exhilarating ending to “Thelma & Louise” (1991).

The sacrifice made for his people, culture and nation by the spiritual leader in “Gandhi” (1982).

The aftereffects of the gentle giant bestowing his gift to heal people suffering in “The Green Mile” (1999).

The undying tenacity and fierce determination to bring justice to uncontrolled contamination of our environment in “Erin Brockovich” (2000).

The redemption achieved after years of oppression from her cruel husband in “The Color Purple” (1985).

The magic of “E.T. The Extraterrestrial” (1982).

The legacy of a man who never wavered or backed down from his obstinate ways in the face of authority in “Cool Hand Luke” (1967).

For all their years of hard work pursuing equality in the workplace, it’s hard to not be inspired by “Norma Rae” (1979) and “On the Basis of Sex” (2018).

The sacrifices made by black soldiers fighting for a cause and self-dignity in the Civil War drama “Glory” (1989).

The sacrifice made by a sweet man who helps save lives in a German concentration camp during WWII in “Life is Beautiful” (1997).

Overcoming prejudice and societal shunning — achieving personal goals in fighting a deadly disease in “Philadelphia” (1993).

Overcoming extreme racial prejudice in the South during the 1960s in the gripping crime drama “In the Heat of the Night” (1967).

A leap of faith and imagination experienced by the Star Child heralding the birth of exploring the cosmos in “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968).

After years of leading a life of crime, two lovable outlaws go out in a blaze of glory in “Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid” (1969).

The town sheriff who has to defend his town by himself from villains returning for vengeance in the iconic “High Noon” (1952).

The shootout and redemption of soul at the end of the Western classic “Shane” (1953).

When a puppet made of wood is blessed with life and becomes a real boy in “Pinocchio” (1940).

The escape to freedom from German occupied Austria in “The Sound of Music” (1965).

Finally finding the right recipe to becoming a better person in “Groundhog Day” (1993).

Realizing his own potential and falling for the woman who took a gamble on him in “Jerry Maguire” (1996).

The triumph of surviving four years alone on a small tropical island in “Cast Away” (2000).

Bringing justice to a corrupt nation run by a tyrannical ruler while achieving personal redemption in “Gladiator” (2000).

The common man who achieves his goals against all odds in two classics, “Meet John Doe” (1941) and “Cinderella Man” (2005).

Finally coming to grips with guilt after losing his older brother in “Ordinary People” (1980).

The hard-fought battle to get the truth behind political corruption in the highest level of government in “All the President’s Men” (1976).

The thrill of victory where good prevails over an evil empire in “Star Wars” (1977).

The inspiration featured in a true story in “The Blind Side” (2008).

And now for my Top 20 most inspirational moments in film history:

20. When Roy Hobbs belts a home run at the end of “The Natural” (1984).

19. The uplifting and spiritual thrill of victory at the end of “Chariots of Fire” (1981).

18. A little girl — and a nation — realizes who Kris Kringle really is in “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) and angels “do” exist in “The Bishops Wife” (1947).

17. The cry for “freedom” and redemption of soul at the end of “Braveheart” (1995).

16. The act of love and mercy at the end of “Million Dollar Baby” (2004).

15. Finding peace in his heart and newfound spirituality upon the death of Christ in legendary “Ben-Hur” (1959).

14. After years of personal persecution with a mental disorder, a brilliant mathematician finally is acknowledged by his peers in “A Beautiful Mind” (2001).

13. The amazing fictional life of a man who accomplishes so much and is loved by so many in “Forrest Gump” (1994).

12. The astounding tenacity and will to live in “Gravity” (2013).

11. Sacrifices made in an oppressive mental institution that inspire others to seek spiritual freedom in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975).

10. The inspiring speech given by Lou Gehrig in “The Pride of the Yankees” (1942).

9. The inspiring speech that Scarlett O’Hara delivers that she’ll never go hungry again in the iconic “Gone With the Wind” (1939).

8. The moment father meets son in an Iowa baseball field in the wonderful fantasy “Field of Dreams” (1989).

7. The triumphant ending to “Rocky” (1976).

6. After sustaining a horrible beating, a man becomes leader of his warehouse workers in the exhilarating “On the Waterfront” (1954).

5 Of the many inspirational moments in this film, the one that stands out is when Dorothy realizes “there’s no place like home” in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939).

4. When Rick and Louie leave a fog-filled airport to forge a beautiful friendship in the classic “Casablanca” (1943).

3. Atticus Finch standing tall and firm in his belief to defend a black man on trial in the prejudicial South in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962).

2. The incredible bravery of one man against all odds to save fellow soldiers from a massacre in the WWI classic “1917” (2019).

And No. 1 belongs to George Bailey who finally understands the lessons he has learned from a lovable angel that his life does matter in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946).

James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

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