Just start the movie already! - Longest Opening Title Sequence
 

I just watched the 6th Sense on DVD the other night, (not having seen it since it was in theaters) and the first thing I noticed was just how LONG the title sequence was! Do they really have to put all those names in there? And if so, which cast/crew members are given that privilage? Surely no one ever thinks...

"Oooh! Scott Ramsey was the gaffer! I love his work! This is gonna be so good!"

Yesterday I watched the commentary for "The Thing" and John Carpenter said he wanted to do a different intro for the movie, but he was required to put so many cast and crew names into it that the idea was scrapped. Are we missing out on some cool movie intros just to find out instead who the casting director was?

Anyone know what the deal is? Or failing that, vote for the longest/most boring title sequence.

First Vote: Shadow of the Vampire (good movie, sucky intro!)

i thought robin hood prince of theives went opening went on for years . . .

oi!

The longest (and best) opening title sequence that I've ever seen continues to be ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.

Se7en has a long opening sequence. About 2-3 minutes.
But it's awesome.

All the Star Trek movies come into mind. Star Trek 4 and 6 were painful!

Re: Just start the movie already! - Longest Opening Title Sequence
 

That was the FIRST movie I thought of just by reading the title of your thread. I almost fell asleep in the movie theater watching it.

Superman movies

Ben Hur

Chalk up another one for. Shadow of the Vampire. It immediately came to my mind also when I read the thread title.

As this is a general discussion on movies and not DVD, moving to the Movie Talk forum.

- C

Prince of Darkness comes to mind.

I always prefer the title sequences that occur over action, rather than full screen graphics. "Superman" is a good example...just a long tracking shot in space with graphics over it...BORING. I'd rather see a little set-up and exposition before we get into the actual movie...

Another vote for "Superman: The Movie." I love it, but man, that title sequence is longggggggggg.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown had an overture (still frame, with music) that was probably close to 5 or 6 minutes, before the title sequence ever started. I am sure many other movies of the time period also had overtures before the movie started.

Virtually every Bond opening is at least 3-4 minutes long.

I don't actually mind it at all, its a very classical approach to credits.

Another vote for Shadow of the Vampire. It goes on for six minutes I believe, in a rather obvious attempt to pad the running time. The closing credits go on almost as long, yet the whole movie only lasts 86 minutes!

The honor must go to 1993's THE FUGITIVE, whose credits go away halfway then, when you've forgotten all about them, come back deep into the narrative. I can't check the timing right now, but I'm sure they're still playing 8-10 minutes into the film. John Carpenter's PRINCE OF DARKNESS is mind-numbingly lengthy, as well...

I love the Shadow of the Vampire titles. The music is beautiful and the images are cool. -ptth-

I would have to rack my brain for a sequence that dragged on so long that I just said "get on with it!"

oh man the Superman openings were way way way too long
also Planet Of The Apes (2001) just took forever.

another vote for Superman..even as a kid I knew they were long!

And I love the Bond intros!

Yeah, Superman was the movie that came to mind immediately upon reading the title of this thread.

IIRC, the entire prologue/title sequence to The Fugitive ran 17 minutes. Certainly the longest I can remember seeing.

Star Trek First Contact. I remember people in the theaters groaning at how long those misty pullbacks to the credits were taking.

My Thoughts Exactly!!!!

Bruce

Just picked up the Pink Panther the other day -- havent watched it yet but the Production Notes inside say that the opening credits run for about 9 minutes!!!!