In the 70mm engagements, Apocolypse Now didn't even have end credits. You got a printed program that listed all the credits.

if you can't sit through opening credits for a movie you need to just get up and leave the theatre because you don't deserve to be there

Agreed. Everyone in this thread sound like blathering fools.

If I must point out the obvious, the "credit" is the cretive persons most important thing in getting "the next job."

There's no studio system anymore. Everyone is hired for one film and one film only. After that you're unemployed. In the old days when everyone was on staff they only listed the dept. heads, now they list everybody because it's the only record of them working on the film. The credit goes in the credits and on their resumes. You can't put it in your resume unless you are actually credited.

ncmojo- sure we can look it up on the internet, but the whole point of credits is that they are bonded to the film, always and forever. It's a record of who made the film. In theory a film can be locked in an achieve and watched thousands of years from now (long after the IMDb has gone away) and you'll know it was directed by John Ford because his name will be on it.

And what's the deal with titles? Why don't they just give films a number and then we can go online and look up the number and find out the title is Lady and the Tramp. Then we wouldn't have to sit through the 8 seconds it takes to show the title. They could just flash a number.

They get credit...at the END, where the credit belongs. When I go to see Bad Boys 2 this summer, chances are I already know WILL SMITH and MARTIN LAWRENCE are in it. Do I need to see their names at the beginning? Probably not. Will they show them? Yeah, they will.

If I care who the editor is or who the cinematographer is, I'll sit and watch for their names when the movie is over. It's not like they're not getting credit. They're just getting it when the movie is OVER.

And of course, back in the day when Star Trek films were still a big deal (Pre ST:V), part of the fun was going with a fannish crowd on opening day and cheering and applauding each actors name as it popped up on the screen. Ahhh, memories...

Yeah, and I also loved how they used to bring out those vaudeville acts to fill time as they switched the reels. You know, I still think that talkies are just a fad...

I don't know about you guys, but I just cannot see Fellowship of the Ring with opening credits. Dark City is another good film with nearly no opening titles.

I heard that George Lucas gave up his ?Actors Guild? membership, so he wouldn't have to use opening credits for Star Wars....I think he set the precident...

I know of a few movies without opening credits, like Abyss.

So tell us again why you chose your screen name?

Don't quote me on this, but I believe that to have membership in the director's guild you need to run credits in the beginning of the movie. That's why Lucas never joined the director's guild since he didn't want to run credits at the beginning of the Star Wars movies.

If the beginning credits are done well and provide some level of entertainment, yeah I don't mind them. If they're just a long string of names, blah. Like older John Carpenter movies, his extended intro credits are often times obnoxious.

Now, some of you have brought up the point that we should have some respect for the people who made these things and be able to sit through the movie. Well, I don't agree with that. Yes, if someone worked on a movie they do expect some credit. But, in my opinion, a big fat multi million dollar paycheck is fine enough. I just think that the moviegoers are plunking down their money to see the film...isn't that enough? Not that opening credits are inherently bad, in fact they don't bother me at all when done well. But the idea that people should have a little more respect to those who made the movies...well...I just don't get it. When I buy clothes I don't have to sit down and watch a list of all the designers and people who made those clothes. For most products you don't spend any time recognizing those who made it, so movies aren't really any different in my opinion. So make them enjoyable or don't waste my time.

Uh...cause I like the director? Just because there are credits at the beginning of a film doesn't make said film bad. I just hate the opening credits. Duh.

I can go with the writer, director, lead actors, and composer. Anyone else, it doesn't matter, if the movie is good enough I will sit through the credits.

Star Wars is a good example. Did you need to see David Prowse or Peter Mayhew's name before the movie to enjoy it? Anthony Daniels? The boom mike guy? No.

On the other end of the spectrum, when done right credits are fine. The bond films have excellent opening sequences.

Anyway people, it seems like you have no choice at all. I love opening credits, they do make opening credits and we must all watch opening credits.

After all, who are you to say someone who worked on a movie is not important enough to have his name printed on a screen for a few seconds?

And about the old John Carpenter movies, I could understand that listening to one of his self-made musical scores can be excruciating but nevertheless, it's his movie, he'll do it like he wants to.

Like someone said earlier, if you're not happy with them, just stay at home and watch "Am I hot" you'll see plenty of people who deserve no credits and who get none.

"After all, who are you to say someone who worked on a movie is not important enough to have his name printed on a screen for a few seconds?"

It is on the screen for a few seconds...AT THE END!!!

Jesus.

I kind of like opening credit sequences. When done properly, they can really set the mood of the film.

Some examples:

Halloween. The pulsing music builds tension, as done the slow pan toward the jack-o-lantern and the point where the external lights go out. Creepy and effective.

Reservoir Dogs. The music gives the film a certain feel right off the bat. And then, flashing the actor's names under their faces builds intimacy with the characters, who are pretty much the only characters in the movie.

Pulp Fiction. The big, brash letters and the music also set the tone. Music plays a major role in this movie. Even the choice of cuts between the credits. The credits begin, just as action the builds to a climax, -bang- credits roll, and then the viewer is dropped into a simple, mundane situation. It sets a good example of the structure the film will follow.

Star Wars movies. Not including the names actually gives the film more a fantasy feel, going from the title, to the scroll, and right into the movie. It's almost like reading a book.

Panic Room. The names on the sides of the buidlings blend into a cold, impersonal environment. It sets a claustrophobic, urban mood to the film.