Top 10 Greatest Scenes WITHOUT Dialogue

“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)

The “Star Wars” franchise has plenty of iconic scenes, and one of its most famous lacks any dialogue at all. Luke Skywalker is dispirited after being told that he can’t leave the farm by his Uncle Owen. Outside of his Tatooine home, Luke gazes off into the dual sunset of two suns. It’s a short, simple scene, yet the beautiful setting and the swell of John Williams’ famous score lets you experience everything that Luke feels - a longing for something more. It’s these kinds of primal, archetypal scenes that lend “Star Wars” its mythic quality.

“Whiplash” (2014)

The finale of this drama sees the conflict between student Andrew Neiman and his overbearing teacher Terence Fletcher play out onstage. After Fletcher humiliates him, Andrew leaves the stage. However, he returns and interrupts the band’s planned performance with an impromptu solo. Although a few words are admittedly exchanged briefly between the two, most of the communication in the scene is non-verbal. The subtle facial cues are wonderfully conveyed through the scene. Andrew’s powerful and determined performance wins Fletcher’s grudging respect, and the movie goes out on one incredible high note.

“The Graduate” (1967)

The famous ending of “The Graduate” sees Benjamin Braddock interrupt the wedding of Elaine Robinson and the two of them running away together. The duo is all smiles when they board a nearby bus, joining some surprised passengers. However, as Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” plays and the two settle in, their smiles fade. They may not say it aloud, but the question, “Now what?,” looms large over the scene. Both of their plans for the future have been changed forever, and the rest of their lives are now a blank slate, which, while liberating, can also be terrifying.

“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)

Trainee FBI agent Clarice Starling finds herself in the home of Buffalo Bill, the serial killer that she has been chasing the whole film. While she is exploring his basement lair, the lights go out. The camera switches to a POV shot with a green filter, as Bill wears night-vision goggles. We see him stalk Clarice as she fumbles around in the dark, his hands reaching out and almost touching her several times. Ultimately, Bill, cocking his own gun, lets Clarice know where he is, allowing her to gun down the killer. The utter terror and tension throughout, as well as its inventive presentation, make it an unforgettably thrilling scene.

“No Country for Old Men” (2007)

After Llewelyn Moss finds drug money, he’s pursued by the terrifying and relentless hitman, Anton Chigurh. Moss discovers the tracker in the money while at a hotel, but by then it’s too late. Moss silently puts everything together, prepares for Chigurh’s arrival, and handles himself pretty well in escaping the hitman. Their shootout spills onto the (mostly) silent streets. Despite Moss taking a bullet and getting into a car wreck, he still manages to wound Chigurh and drive him away. It’s a masterfully tense and exciting game of cat and mouse, with so much conveyed through Josh Brolin’s performance and the cinematography.

“Schindler’s List” (1993)

This heartrending film set during the Holocaust follows the titular Oskar Schindler’s efforts to save the lives of over 1,000 Jews by employing them in his factories. The film’s final scene shows the surviving people saved by Schindler visiting his grave to place stones in remembrance. Captions display the names of the survivors, how many there are, as well as how many of their descendants were born because of Schindler’s actions. It’s a moving tribute to not just Schindler and the survivors, but also to the millions who died in the Holocaust.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)

A landmark in the sci-fi genre, “2001” uses music and mood more than dialogue to drive its plot. Although the finale with the Star Child was a tempting alternative, the opening sequence is our pick. In prehistoric Africa, a group of protohuman apes are driven away from their watering hole by rivals. One morning, they awaken to find a mysterious monolith, which they touch. After doing so, one of them discerns how to use bones as primitive weapons. With their newfound knowledge, they drive away their stronger rivals. This 10-minute sequence is told entirely through body language, ape yelling, and some of the most epic music ever put on film!

“There Will Be Blood” (2007)

What a way to start a movie! We meet the movie’s protagonist Daniel Plainview as he prospects for silver in a pit by himself. After inserting dynamite into the wall and ascending to the top, Daniel tries to bring his tools up, but is unable to before it blows. While descending the ladder, one of the steps breaks in his hands, and he falls, breaking his leg. Despite the pain, Daniel is elated when he finds silver after all. He then proceeds to drag himself out of the pit and to the assayer’s office to get paid. Not only is it a gripping scene with an unnerving soundtrack, but it also illustrates just how far Daniel will go to get what he wants, foreshadowing future events.

“North by Northwest” (1959)

Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal thriller follows Roger Thornhill, a man mistaken for a spy, George Kaplan. Dropped off at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere for Kaplan’s meeting, Thornhill is soon buzzed by a nearby crop duster plane. The plane does so repeatedly, with its pilot even shooting at Thornhill. He tries flagging down a car to no avail, and even hiding in a cornfield is no use when the crop duster dusts the crop. Eventually, Thornhill steps in front of a tanker, nearly getting run over and the plane crashes into it! The whole scene is among the most iconic in cinema, with several shots having been referenced and imitated countless times.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Elevator, “Drive” (2011)
A Kiss Goodbye & A Return to Violence

Ripley’s Last Stand, “Alien” (1979)
In Space, No One Can Hear Aliens Scream

Beau’s Death, “A Quiet Place” (2018)
The Whole Movie Is Quiet, But This Opening Scene Is Especially Impactful

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966)

This epic Western film is loaded with memorable moments, but its finale does so much without the characters uttering a word. The three rogues “Blondie,” Angel Eyes, and Tuco have all gathered at a cemetery where gold is buried. “Blondie” writes the name of the grave on a rock and places it in the middle of the square. One of cinema’s greatest standoffs ensues, with each of the trio eyeing the others looking for an opening. Sure, on the surface, it’s just three guys staring at each other for five minutes, but the tight closeups on their hands and faces, combined with the mounting tension and Ennio Morricone’s incredible score help make this scene positively legendary!

Is there a movie scene short on talking and high on greatness that we forgot? Don’t stay silent yourselves - tell us in the comments!