In the world of filmmaking, few techniques are as ambitious and exhilarating as the one-take scene. These long, uninterrupted shots require meticulous choreography, expert timing, and seamless execution, creating some of the most immersive moments in cinema. Whether used for suspense, action, or pure storytelling, these sequences pull the audience deeper into the narrative Bardya Ziaian, making them feel like they are right there with the characters. Here are some of the greatest one-take scenes in film history.
1. The Copacabana Entrance – Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s iconic tracking shot follows Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he takes his date through the back entrance of the Copacabana, weaving through kitchens and corridors before landing at the best seat in the house. The scene encapsulates Henry’s power, charisma, and the allure of the gangster lifestyle, all in one fluid motion.
2. The Opening Scene – Touch of Evil (1958)
Orson Welles crafted one of the most influential long takes in film history with Touch of Evil. The scene follows a car rigged with a time bomb as it moves through a bustling Mexican border town, building unbearable suspense until the inevitable explosion. This sequence set the standard for future one-take scenes.
3. The Hallway Fight – Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy delivers an unforgettable side-scrolling fight sequence where Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) takes on a hallway full of thugs with just a hammer. The gritty, realistic choreography and single-take execution make it one of the most intense fight scenes ever filmed.
4. The Dunkirk Scene – Atonement (2007)
Joe Wright’s Atonement features a breathtaking five-minute tracking shot on the beaches of Dunkirk, capturing the despair and chaos of war in haunting, poetic detail. The fluid camera movement through the devastation makes the scene feel like a living painting of tragedy.
5. The Nightclub Shootout – John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
The John Wick franchise is known for its meticulously crafted action sequences, but Chapter 4 raises the bar with an exhilarating one-take overhead tracking shot following Wick as he takes down enemies in a burning nightclub. The top-down perspective makes it feel like a live-action video game level.
6. The Standoff – Children of Men (2006)
Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men is full of masterful one-take sequences, but the climactic standoff in a war-torn refugee camp stands out. The camera follows Theo (Clive Owen) through chaotic gunfire and explosions, immersing viewers in the terrifying, unrelenting reality of battle.
7. The Continuous War Scene – 1917 (2019)
Sam Mendes took the one-take technique to the extreme with 1917, designing the entire film to appear as a single continuous shot. While there are hidden cuts, the effect is stunning, pulling audiences into the relentless journey of two soldiers on a mission to save lives.
8. The Opening Scene – Gravity (2013)
Another Alfonso Cuarón masterpiece, Gravity begins with a stunning 12-minute unbroken shot following astronauts in space as their mission turns into a fight for survival. The seamless blend of CGI and cinematography makes the scene feel like a real-time disaster unfolding before our eyes.
Final Thoughts
One-take scenes continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, immersing audiences in ways that traditional editing cannot. Whether used for suspense, action, or sheer cinematic artistry, these moments remain some of the most unforgettable in film history.
What’s your favorite one-take scene? Let us know in the comments!
