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25 Moving Movie Moments for Men

Robert De Niro

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Date: Thu. Nov. 8 2007 2:09 PM ET

Real men don't cry, right? Heck, they don't show any emotion at all. The average guy is a rock steady super-human, who, in the infamous words of Dennis Leary, is a "suburbanized slob" who likes "football and porno and books about war." Indeed.

So, following that line, men definitely don't cry during movies. Instead, it is said, at the most they get "choked" up. Getting "choked up" is infinitely more manly and far more accepted than crying.

In honour of this sentiment, we've compiled a list of the 25 most moving movie moments for men. What follows is a hallowed list of films, each with a special moment or scene during which time even the most ardent purveyor of masculinity may lose his cool, experience an emphatic shiver or maybe even have to wipe away a gentle trickle from the side of his stubly cheek.

The common thread, while not unanimous, though, seems to be something to do with brotherhood, bonding and shared experience. So, on that note, prepare to get, well, choked up.

Woman: "Are YOU crying?"
Man: "Sniff; no, no, I just got some of this, ah, zesty popcorn powder in my eye. Uh, yeah. I'll be fine."

The following is listed in no particular order, but we're warning you, have your hanky handy ...

Butch & Sundance go out in a blaze of glory
Rudy is carted off the field in "'Rudy"
Michael gives Fredo the kiss of death
The boys the Dead Poet's Society seize the day
Maverick says farewell to Goose
William Wallace demands his FREEEDOM!
Michael plays Russian Roulette with Ricky in "The Deer Hunter"
E.T. reminds Eliot 'he'll be right here'
The Elephant Man proclaims he is 'not an ANIMAL'
Miller gives Private Ryan his final orders in 'Saving Private Ryan'
Ray plays catch with his old man in 'Field of Dreams'
USA 1, Soviet Union nil in 'Rocky IV'
Chuckie tells Will where it's at in 'Good Willing Hunting'
Mr. Smith collapses in 'Mr Smith goes to Washington'
Elias raises his hands to god in 'Platoon'
The silent understanding of brothers in Rain Man'
The lone hero returns in 'Star Wars'
Absolution meets innocence at the end of 'The Shawshank Redemption'
The dead birds in 'On the Waterfront'
The Mercy killing of McMurphy in 'One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest'
Ratso cradles a dying Joe Buck in 'Midnight Cowboy'
The death of the big man in 'Little Caesar'
'Gangs of New York' ends with a modern message
Doughboy takes his half-brother home in 'Boyz 'N the Hood'
Dorn takes on the Wild Thing in 'Major League'

Next: Butch & Sundance go out in a blaze of glory >

Maybe it's that moment when Wind in his Hair asks Dances with Wolves if he can see that "he is his friend" and tells him that he "will always be [his] friend" that we missed. Tell us your weepy movie moments.

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Darren
said
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Brian's Song, the original and not the remake.
I agree with Saving Private Ryan. The opening scene where the old man is in the cemetery. Moving stuff


David Long
said
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We cover these issues in a course I teach on men and masculinities, and while the issue IS important there are many, many clips and even whole movies that make the point much better than those selected. The point for me is that movie and tv viewers often see what they have been socialized to expect. So, if they don't expect to see a wide range of emotional expression from males then they won't (more likely they will dismiss it as some guy just being less than a man). I tell my students that if when they watch movies they ask "how do I think that man feels?", they will be surprised to see men in a very different (i.e. human) light.


David Long
said
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Here's a few very poignant male movies and movie moments, not in any particular order:

(1) most scenes from the Rocky movie series after he get married (check out Rocky 4 when he goes from fighting with Adrian to talking to his son to flashbacks about his time with Appollo Creed)
(2) the Rob Reiner film Stand by Me
(3) the last few minutes of To Sir With Love
(4) the scenes involving James dean and Jim Backus in Rebel Without a Cause where they are trying hard to understand each other
(5) British working class men struggling with their identity in both Billy Elliott and The Full Monty
(6) The scene in the movie Parenthood involving Steve Martin and Jason Robards where they go from being "men" to vulnerable father and son and back to "men" again (actually the whole movie does this very well
(7) the scene from Shadowlands in the attic in which Anthony Hopkins and his new son share their saddness and uncertainty about the death of Joy (Debra Winger)
(8) the scene from An Officer and a Gentleman in which Richard gere's character is forced to be humble and admit he has "nowhere else to go" after being humiliated/broken by his sargent Lou Gossett
Jr.
(9) many scenes from the movie Brokeback Mountain
(10) Brian's Song and Remember the Titans


Sarah
said
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Name ONE person who didn't shed a tear when Mufasa dies in The Lion King...


Bruce Sutton
said
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The saddest ending for me was the bus scene at the ending if this movie when we all watched american foreign policy at it's darkest hour,remove a woman from the bus and knowing she would face almost certain death and torture when returned to her homeland.James Woods was superb.


DB
said
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What did it for me? The tear in John ( The Elephant Man) Merrick's eye, as a beautiful Anne Bancroft tells him, "YOU...are Romeo!" after they shared a moment reading a script from one of her plays. Absolutely perfect! For him to feel that one tiny moment of joy, after all his years of pain...priceless.


Mark McLaughlin
said
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Return to Paradise, when Pheonix gets hung before their eyes even after his buddies sacrifice their cushy New York lives to return to Malaysia to serve part of his prison term.


Mandapants
said
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Pay it Forward and What Dreams May Come always made my dad and brothers choke up..

Of course, if you ask them now, they don't cry at anything, let alone "stupid" movies.


TTH
said
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OLD YELLER!!! Either when Travis has to kill him because he's rabid or (my personal favorite) when the wild boars turn on Travis and he looks like a goner. . .until Yeller gets between them and is nearly gored to near-death but never abandons his master. Any guy who has ever owned a dog gets choked up with this movie.


Andrew W
said
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Come on. Major league? That took up a spot that could have been filled by the end of the Perfect Storm.


Jay (DatCurious.com)
said
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I would definitely have to say there should be more sports movies, but I wouldn't cry. But I know a lot of sports fan that would cry if they made a movie on, let's say, the Cubs never winning a World Series, or when the Red Sox finally won, etc.

Jay
DatCurious.com


CTSHEA
said
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all I have to say is... The Green Mile.. There are alot of those moments in that movie.


Chris
said
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The bit in Sicko when they go to the Cuban hospital is pretty emotional.


MorkOfYork
said
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I hate to admit it, but the end of "8 seconds" brought a tear to my eye. Good movie.


Evan Turner
said
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The one that seems to get all of the men in my family is the scene in 'The Patriot' where the blond little girl tells Mel Gibson "Don't leave daddy!" in tears.


Chris
said
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Where's Hoosiers?


Jobbies
said
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No "The Green Mile" ? :|


Hedge
said
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You missed the most important. Optimus Prime dying in the (real) Transformers Movie, 1986.


Woody
said
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Two Words "Brian's Song"


Jay
said
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No "Ole Yeller"?! I would've expected it to be first on the list.


Mark
said
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Perfect Storm - just when the fishing boat is capsizing, "Murph" understands he is about to die, but is thinking about his son when he says something like "this is going to be tough on the little guy".


Jim
said
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The end of Searching for Bobby Fischer always gets me. No matter what happens, somewhere, inside you, you never want to let your dad down. Not ever.

How many ball players grow up afraid of losing their fathers' love every time they come up to the plate?
All of them.


Greg
said
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@Gmork - How about when Atreyu's horse Artex gets swallowed by the swamp of sadness "Artex, you're sinking! ARTEX! ARTEX!"


Dizzin
said
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last scene in American History X? With the younger brother dying, after realizing the error of being racist and single minded. After writing a glorious paper on his growth as a human being, he's killed by a young gang member. It was devasting.


RD Wilson
said
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How can you have this list without Old Yeller, and Brian's Song is beyond me. Were all of your writers born after 1990?

Also, I agree with the other person about "It's a Wonderful Life" - how can you leave that out? (As compared to things like "ET", and "Midnight Cowboy" (which any "real man" would never watch anyway!)


George LeRoy
said
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Ummm How about the movie "Brian's Song" starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams? the story of dying gridiron star Brian Piccolo? Uber tear jerker!


darins
said
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In the move AI, when the mother dumps adopted little robot boy in the woods, and he was crying for his mother.


Chaz Arthur
said
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Didn't cry, but it's pretty sad in the end of, Requiem For A Dream, both when Sara gets the electroshock, and Leto's arm is cut off, he's still dying, and he knows Connelly isn't going to come despite the reassurance of the nurse.


Four Seventeen
said
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I'm a guy and for some reason the ending to the cheesy martial arts movie, "The Best of the Best" with Eric Roberts choked me up when I first saw it as a kid. It was the scene where the villian asks for the main guy's forgiveness and then the Korean team hands over the gold medals to team USA.


Troy
said
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I checked out the list of movies that apparently get men "choked up" Saving private Ryan, Star Wars, Brave Heart ... you guys got to be kidding me right. Those films which I thought were great never made me cry, the films that did were films like E.T. and Old yeller...


Jerry
said
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"My Life" - The parents have a circus in dying son's backyard. It's never too late.


ZJ
said
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The made for TV movie 'Testament' with Jane Alexander. A movie made powerful by acting and not special effects.


Logisti
said
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I'm shocked at the lack of Cold War Classics (Rocky IV aside).

The Hunt for Red October: We listened to Vasily's simple hopes for life in the new world: To live in Montana, raise rabbits and perhaps own an RV and drive state to state (do they let you do that? No papers?). It was a pretty crushing moment when he was shot.

Wargames: "20 seconds to impact..." as General Beringer has been persuaded to ride out the attack, we see hundreds of Soviet missiles on the computer screens, detonating on U.S. soil. "This is Crystal Palace. Are you still on? Is anyone there?" and the painful silence until, "Yeah, we're here! ... We're still here!"

Most people probably haven't seen the HBO Original "By The Dawn's Early Light" but if you lived during the cold war, you should. The ending of that film will choke you up more than any of the others, and make you proud too.


Gregg M
said
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Nothing beats the mini-sub drowning sequence in 'The Abyss'.

I cried like a little girl.


youranidiot
said
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Where in the hell is Brian's song? The only movie garunteed to make a man cry


Fletchman1313
said
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Final Fantasy - Advent Children

When Cloud Strife flashes back into a dream and speaks with Aeris. The memory of Final Fantasy VII comes back, and you think "My God... he's still haunted by her death after all these years."

... and it's just a bloody video game.


Egome
said
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Dude, c'mon!

"I love Brian Piccolo, and I want you to love him, too."

It's football with crying! How much more dudely can ya get?


MB
said
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What about American History X, when they read Danny's paper at the end, when his dead body is in his brothers arms, and the paper proclaims that "Hate is baggage..."


Lump in throat
said
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Just saw Things We Lost In The Fire, and spent almost an hour with tears streaming down my face.


slyfan4life
said
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How come the death of Micky in Rocky III isnt there, I cried then... or the death of the asian girl Rambo liked, in Rambo First Blood Part 2, i cried then too:(


ChicaGo Blue
said
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End of 'Backdraft' w/ the heroes parade. Everytime.


Michelle
said
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How COULD you leave off Brian's Song? COME ON!!!!
I love Brian Piccolo!


Tommy G
said
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Any list like this that doesn't include "Old Yeller" is glaringly incomplete.


cipheroid
said
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The countdown and lift-off scene of the Saturn V in Apollo 13. There we are, watching the words UNITED STATES scroll past the gantry camera as the rocket rises off the launchpad, as we've seen it a hundred times. But then THE CAMERA PANS UP TO TRACK THE EXHAUST NOZZLES and our brains lock up for a moment. If you're not a hard-core spaceflight nerd, you probably didn't even notice it, and won't have any idea why that was so cool. That, and the aerial view of the launch area as the rocket screams past. A POV you wouldn't see in real life for another decade. You fellow nerds know what I'm talking about. Damn. I have to change my underwear.


Gareth
said
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No 25th Hour?


Betch
said
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Brokeback Mountain should easily be the #1!


Vox Populi
said
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I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him, too. And so tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.


Joe
said
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As much as you will probably disagree, Patch Adams with Robin Williams gets me every time. Don't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it, but for anyone who is in a long-term relationship and loves their other half, the very end is a massive tear-jerker. You can only but imagine how you would feel in the same situation. Absolutely brilliant movie, even if I'm not a 'real man' for crying my eyes out at the end. Oh yeah, and 'The Butterfly Effect'. Not the ending where he strangles himself with the umbilical cord (LMAO) but the one where he walks past his love in the street and she doesn't know who he is.


mark
said
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when optimus prime dies in (the original) transformers the movie i still shed a tear


one word:
said
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Rudy


Huskerman
said
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Wilson floating away was a good one, but how about the ending of Gladiator? So sad when he dies.


gale sayers
said
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two words: brians song


The Great ONe
said
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The Abyss, when the chick drowns and this guy is trying to revive her!


Timpysan
said
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How about the end of Forrest Gump, where he's talking to Jenny's grave and then seeing young Forrest off to school? Heartwrenching stuff.


Tim
said
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Casablanca--When the Germans are singing in Rick's and Victor Lazlo gets the patrons to drown them out with "Les Marseillies" it gets me EVERY time.


Tom
said
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When Godzilla meets Bambi.


matt
said
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Where the Red Fern Grows should be somewhere on your list.


DONNA
said
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THE ORIGINAL "BRIAN'S SONG" THE WHOLE DARN MOVIE BEATS EVERY ONE YOU LISTED


A. Kingsmill
said
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The Dale Earnhardt movie.


Brad
said
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When Scout spots Boo Radley behind that door as the savior of her brother... "Hey Boo"

It "moistens the eyes" every time.


David Scime
said
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I think the last time bruce wills talks to his daughter in armagedon before he stays in space and blows the asteroid up..


Toni
said
0 0

What about 'Brian's Song'. That'll make any grown man cry!


BearFanDan
said
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How about any of a number of scenes in "Brian's Song"? Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers telling the team that Brian Piccolo is dying of cancer. That'll choke up the toughest of you.


WindyCityD
said
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Where the hell is Brian's Song? I don't know a man that does not get... um,"choked up" at that movie.


Anthony
said
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"THE NOTEBOOK" WILL MAKE U CRY.


GIL
said
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TWO WORDS ... "BRIANS SONG" ...... YOU GUYS ARE OUT TO LUNCH FOR NOT PUTTING THAT ON IN THERE !!!!


fritz
said
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Nothing gets me like the scene in "Crash" when the Iraqi shop owner shoots the hispanic lock repair guy's daughter. The music, the intensity and the little girl telling the dad she's okay is enough to make anyone bawl...


mike
said
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It gets me every time when Archy gets shot at the end of Gallipoli as Frank is running back to relay the order for the troops not to charge.


Scott
said
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The most touching movie scene that didn't make the list...."Man Without a Face" when the young man finally graduates from the Military Acadamy with the help of Mel Gibson's tutoring! I cry every single time I see that movie!


Donna
said
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THere are 2 that stand out to me. I'm a woman, but I'm sure my husband would cry at these. When "Champ" dies and Ricky Shroeder is crying and calling for him to wake up. And, when Brian (don't remember the last name) dies in Brian's Song, a football movie about him and Gayle Sayers.


Mike
said
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Hate to say it, but Brain's song: The story of Chicago Bear's running back Brian Piccolo whom dies of cancer, ranks up there at the top.


Rand315
said
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Are you kidding? Try a double feature of "Brian's Song" and "Something for Joey" and then let me know so I can buy stock in Kimberly Clark, the manufacturer of Kleenex.


mgmfbcmama
said
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La Vita Bella...made every male in my house cry when Guido got shot.


John
said
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One Mel Gibson flick that always gets overlooked, that being "We Were Soldiers". Many great lines in the movie, however when Lt. Col Moore is telling Joe Galloway to go back and tell the people what his men fought and died for is classic for a tear in the corner of the eye.


C Andrews
said
0 0

Something For Joey

When John Capaletti won the Heisman and gave the trophy to his brother.


Tony D.
said
0 0

How about "Brian's Song" with James Cann & Billy Dee Williams, when Picilo is dying in the hospital bed and Sayers, his wife, & Picolo's wife all embrace. I've seen the movie at least a dozen times and ball my eyes out everytime.


Mike Gray
said
0 0

What about Brian's Song... Hello Mc Fly!


matt
said
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While it may not be termed a "guy movie", I always get choked up during the Civil War masterpiece "Glory", when Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and crew storm the fort, only to find themselves staring right down the barrel of the cannon. Great movie


MD
said
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CAN'T BELIEVE LEFT OUT BRIAN'S SONG


David
said
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I think the movie that tops the list should be The Champ. At the ending, where the son is crying at the death of his father after a brutal boxing match.


Steve
said
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Not the mercy killing in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest but when chief pulls the fountain out of it's moorings and throws it through the window with attendant sound track


Stevenmarti
said
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The film Sicko which describes the sorry lot of Americans trying to stay alive with a seriously flawed medical system


Lorrie
said
0 0

Brian's Song....when Gale Sayers accepts the George Halas award and ends with...."I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him too. Ans so tonight, when you hit your knees, please as God to love him."
--gets me everytime!


Felipe Guitierrez
said
0 0

How could you forget "Cool Hand Luke?"


Ben
said
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The end of Saving Private Ryan when he's at Arlington Cemetary and asks his wife if he was a good man and lived a good life. It gets me every time.


fooball movies
said
0 0

What about Brian's Song and Something for Joey?


Rob
said
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Field of Dreams!! I cry every time because I totally identify with Ray's wish to have that one last chance to tell my Dad I loved him. I tell my sons that EVERY day so that no matter when I leave this earth, they'll never wonder or question my deepest feelings for them.


Derrick
said
0 0

Brian's Song. End of story.


t
said
0 0

Where's Brians Song? That was the first tear jerker


BpatrickM
said
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One movie that always makes me water at the eyes is the end of Armaggeddon when Bruce Willis is saying good-bye to his daughter who is played by Liv Tyler.


Jace
said
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The movie Glory. Last 15 minutes will make any one cry. The movie is great and just builds up to the last scene. I only watch by myself so I cry like a little girl..


Ron
said
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It might be because I'm a retired teacher, but the final scene in "Man Without a Face" always brings rolling tears to my eyes. The never-dying relationship between "tutor" and student always reminds me of why I became a teacher and what how I always hoped I influenced students.


Pat
said
0 0

My Dog Skip is a movie most guys wouldn't watch unless their girlfriend rented it. However, I have seen two guys really, really crying at the end of the movie and saying it was a good movie. Try it!


Greg
said
0 0

Terminator 2 does it for me- when Ah-nuld has to be lowered into the molten steel and young John Connor, begging him not to go, begins to cry. "I know now why you cry, but it is something I could never do." Gets me every time!


archangel
said
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1)When Bruce Willis is blowing up the asteroid in "Armageddon".
2)Robt Redford hitting the homerun in "the Natural"
3)Mark Wahlberg blocking the punt and scoring in "Invincible".



jstew2
said
0 0

The ending of "Cadence" when Charlie Sheen's character gets out of the stockade.


Patrick
said
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If you didnt at least almost cry after watching 1985's "Mask", you're only fooling yourself. (don't confuse with the Jim Carrey movie)


Tom Martin
said
0 0

The end of Schindler's List when he said "I should have saved more".


okmugwump
said
0 0

How can you not have Brian's Song on your list!!!! G.Sayers speech gets my hubby every time!!!


JoeytheK
said
0 0

The saddest movie for me is "Brian's Song". I don't know anyone who could keep a dry eye by the end of that one!


Darrell Freeman
said
0 0

I'm sorry,but you missed the greatest tear-jerker of ALL TIME...when Gale Sayers says, I love Brian Piccalo", in Brian's Story.


kingtj
said
0 0

The most moving scene I can recall was the one in Crash, where the man's daughter runs out to save him from being shot, because he didn't have his invisible, bullet-proof coat on.



Tater
said
0 0

The original "Brian's Song". The scene where Sayres gets the Most Courageous Player Award.


Gamegirl
said
0 0

What about "Old Yeller"? My 50+ husband STILL tears up if I even MENTION the movie!


Casey
said
0 0

What about the moment when Boy comes through the church doors in be reunited with his Pa (Jimmy Stewart). Shenandoah 1965 a classic


bigcat
said
0 0

How bout the movie 'Glory' when Denzel gets whipped for leaving to look for some shoes


rockin2the70s
said
0 0

I have seen about half these movies, and I've only cried during a movie is in the Return of the King, when Frodo tells Sam to go home and he falls down the stairs. Some of the others-Braveheart, Top Gun- have choked me up, but only ROTK has made me shed tears


David
said
0 0

There is one movie they left out. It's called, "Something for Joey." About the Penn State player dedicated the Heisman trophy to his sick brother. I can't believe that was not on the list. That is a classic movie that will touch your heart.


Steve
said
0 0

2 words, "Brian's song"


crybaby
said
0 0

How could you overlook The Notebook. Every man I have talked to that saw it cried.


Wootch
said
0 0

Cinema Paradiso--The end where the movie montage plays before a grownup Salvatore. I won't give it away but I highly recommend this movie. It's a funny, "buddy" movie for guys that's also very touching and romantic. Girls will love it and guys'll be absolutely choked up, guaranteed.


kj
said
0 0

Saving Private Ryan. when Ryan asks his wife if he has led a good life, has he made a difference. At that point you must take into context that all these men died because it your duty to stay and defend your position with your brothers and for your country. The emotion coupled with the sense of pride is overwhelming.


kelly
said
0 0

What about when Brian dies at the end of "Brian's Song"???


Arlo McGowan
said
0 0

The one show I didn't see listed was a real tear jerker. Man, Woman Child. I have it on VHS and I find it hard to watch as this father writes his child as he is dying (letter to be read after he passes on)


Jusme
said
0 0

How did everyone miss the one that can make ANY man cry.. Brian's Song! I can't even hear the theme song without chocking up!


Vinny
said
0 0

Maybe I missed it's mention...but, come on...'Brian's Song' should be there! You guys can't tell me you disagree.


FA-18pilot
said
0 0

Brian's Song...Need I say more?


Beard
said
0 0

The Rookie, When Dennis Quaid calls home to tell his wife that he has been called up to pitch in the Major Leagues and then gets to tell his young son, that brought a tear to my eye faster than any movie I have ever watched.


Bob
said
0 0

Field of Dreams:
Last scene where Kevin(Ray Consello) Costner asks says....'Hey Dad, wanna have a catch?'
Found that scene very meaningful to me as it reminded me of my dad and myself.


Bill
said
0 0

I can't believe Brian's Song didn't even make your list. ..."I love Brian Piccolo, and you should too." Was definately the most tear-jerking quote ever.
I also thought Pride of the Yankees should have made the list too.


David
said
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Who can forget Billy Dee Williams in Brians Song when he accepts is mvp award then declares "I love Brian Piccolo".


Steve
said
0 0

Maybe I missed it but where is "Brian's Song"?? Every guy cries when Gale Sayers says "I loved Brian Piccolo!"


synthetik
said
0 0

The Incredibles when Mr. Incredible admits that he's "not strong enough" to take losing Mrs. Incredible again.


chipmiester
said
0 0

Maybe I am dating myself a bit here but what about Brian's Song? Definitely tugged at my heart strings.


Tim Litton
said
0 0

How about Gary Cooper giving the farewell speech of Lou Gehrig in "Pride of the Yankees". Nothing better than that.


Oran C. Watson
said
0 0

When Woodrow Call comments to the reporter "Yeah, hell of a story." at the end of the best movie EVER, Lonesome Dove.


Tom
said
0 0

I know that I openly wept when they blew up the new suburbans in "Clear and Present Danger"


Alysia
said
0 0

BRIAN'S SONG!!!!


DAN
said
0 0

You left out the movie Armaggedon when Bruce Willis tells his daughter he won't be coming home.


Richard
said
0 0

Please. "Old Yeller" and "Pride of the Yankees" are the only two that choke me up.


sirius
said
0 0

Every guy who has had played catch with his dad, feels that lump in the throat, and maybe some tears in the eyes, during "Field of Dreams." But without question, every guy would definitely cry or fight back tears, and definitely feel a lump in his throat from the movie "Brian's Song" with Billy Dee Williams as Gayle Sayers, and James Caan as Brian Piccolo. Not sure? Then watch it, get into it, and you will feel it. Two great choices here, but I will give it first to "Brian's Song."


Trip
said
0 0

What about "Brian's Song" and "Imitation of Life"?


Ken
said
0 0

The movie E.T. made my WWII veteran chief master seargent dad cry and we had to leave the theater by the outside exit because he was embarrassed to be crying for a make-believe alien. Another Spielberg movie, Empire of the Sun, with a young Christian Slater, will make anyone who is human tear up!


Peter
said
0 0

I like Sleepless in Seattle; also, there's a really good scene in the Vernon Johns Story


Steve
said
0 0

How about when Patton proclaims his pride in his exhausted men as they march to relieve the 101st Airborne at Bastogne?

Gotta concur with Field of Dreams, tho.


bean
said
0 0

The original Brian's Song-- When Gale Sayers says "I love Brian Picolo and I want you to love him too"... get out the tissues.


John Yannacci
said
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How about Brian's Song, when Gayle Sayres says, "I love Brian Piccolo and I'd like all of you to love him too. And so, tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him."


Justin
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Did no one see Brian's Song??? Pic is the best!


BRENDANO
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If there was a TV show one of these, when George Mason meets tells his son he will die, in the second season of 24, that would make it.

GO 24!!!!!!!!!!

Also, real men can feel sad, but they dont cry

Finally, when Dances with Wolves departs with the Indians is a sad part too.


jerseybeast
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I got two words for all you guys out there who have never let a tear drop at a movie.Try watching Brian's Song and see if you can make it through without a hankie.Gets me every time.


bryinster@gmail.com
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I don't think that half of these should even be on the list. Come on Rocky? Star Wars? who honestly cries during those movies? And of course they left out the biggest one of all "Brian's Song" I am amazed that it didn't make it on over most of these.


Frank
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My vote,
When Private Ryan as an adult asks his wife if he lead a good life while kneeling at the Omaha Beach headstone of Tom Hanks "capt" in Saving Private Ryan.


maggie priess
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How about "A River runs Through It" Surely some guys get a tear with this father son brother relastionship...?


Ron Carcich
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Richard Gere gets my applause whenever he walks into that paper factory for Debra Winger in AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. I hear the two didn't like working with each other much, but that ending scene, yes, very over-the-top, and with all that schmaltzy music, still earns big points on my scale.


skip
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You can't leave out "ol' yeller"! I still get choked up when the boy has to shoot his rabid dog.


Jim
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Old Yeller, at the end where Yeller has rabies and the boy has to shoot him. If you're a guy and this hasn't made you cry then you have not seen it. Either that or you're a lousy sob that likes to shoot dogs.


Bobby
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I can't believe no one has mentioned the all-time classic. When Gayle Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) tells his teamates in the locker room that their Brian Piccolo (James Caan) is dying. That movie has to be 30 years old and that scene still gets to me.


Stuart
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The Color Purple when Shug reunites with her father or A Beautiful Life when Roberto Benigni clowns on the his walk of death so he can save his son.


MINI ME
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In the movie Hardball, when Keanu Reeves is talking about his player at the funeral


matt
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I can see how those movies made it up there, but I feel that the movie "Radio" is a great movie and that it should have made this list. All of the things that happens to Cuba Gooding Jr. throughout are just extremely sad.


Scrizz
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What ever happened to Brian's Song (the Original version). That gets all the guys in my family.


Mary
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James Caan and Billy Dee Williams as Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers in "Brian's Song"




Jason
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Please... I've got two words for you... "Brian's Song".


GR Draper
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Brian's Song, Bang the Drum Slowly and My Life are my 3 top picks


Gil
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I have to agree with Leon about the Wrath of Kahn. No matter how many times I see the scenes of Spock's last words and death and Kirk's emotional eulogy. I without fail always tear up.


dulcibella
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Big Fish, anyone? The son's final acceptance of his dying father's imaginative "life story" gets my fiance every time, in the movie theatre or at home!


greg C.
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The one movie that hit me hardest was "schindler's list" when liam neeson (oscar schindler) looks at his nazi lapel pin, and asks how many more lives could he have saved by adding names to his list if he sold his gold pin.He completely breaks down at that thought..that'll does it for me as well.This whole movie is tough to watch,knowing this horror was real, but a necessity to see.


mike
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Brian's Song; Bobby; If you're crying during Bridges of Madison County you're not a man. As my wife just commented, "What man would watch that movie!?"


chazman
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Maybe I'm showing my age, but Brian's Song is one of the most emotional guy flicks ever made.


David McCarthy
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As far as movies are concerned, Rocky 3 when Mickey dies, Adam Sandler when he dies as an old man in his dream in "Click" M*A*S*H* Radar announcing Henry Blake's death and when Radar giving Col Potter the horse for his birtday. All in the Family, Archie crying when Gloria and Mike move out and when Archie comforts Gloria when she has a miscarriage.


Steve Allan
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Watch the original Brian's Song and try not to cry. True story about the death of Brian Piccolo of camcer at the peak of his carrer. James Caan portrays Brian. I remember talking at football practise the next day and everybody admitted crying.


Terry
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There are three additional movies that I find have extremely "touching" parts. First, the scene in "A Christmas Carol" when Scrooge realizes that it is still Christmas and he can make things right. Second, the scene in "Ben Hur" when Judah's mother and sister are cured of their leprosy after the crucifixion. Third, the scene in "The Great Santini" when the tough fighter pilot dad crashes his damaged plane into the ocean and dies rather than risk ejecting and putting the town below at risk. And that's it!


DG
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When I saw "The Color
Purple" EVERYONE in the audience was crying,
including all the men.
Somehow,since everyone was crying,and everyone knew it,it was OK for everyone. It was quite a moment. Mostly the scene when Celie and Nettie reunite.


tbear1964
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My Life..Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman. Most any scene after his cancer diagnosis after he struggles to accept it and spends his time videotaping lessons to his unborn child. Rough to watch....always alone when I see this one.


OGDOG
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When the topic of "movies that make men cry" is brought up, men automatucally think of Brian's Song. Those last few minutes make men everywhere cry, every single time.


Tommy
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"Saving Private Ryan" gets me every time because there's a lot of my dad in the older Ryan at the end. The end of "Brian's Song" and "Wonderful Life" are also big ones for me. I'm a sucker for the guy movie tear jerker though so I'm an easy mark.


BubbaBear
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Brokeback Mountain - When Ennis got mail returned from Jack and learned Jack had died.


Mike
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Something for Joey

Brian's Song


nicky
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My dad gets choked up watching Mr. Holland's Opus; he rarely cries so this must be a biggie!


Sloan Clinton
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I've got to add one that gets me because I am close to my brother. In Backdraft when Kurt Russell is split open and looks up at William Baldwin and sees him fighting the fire he says, "Look at him, that's my brother g**da**it."


CoachDad
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At the end of The Untamed Heart with Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei. When Christian Slater finally passes away, from his hear failure, tough one to watch.


Vicki
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I think a biggie got missed! The awards scene in "Brian's Song", particularly the original version, when Billie Dee Williams (Gayle Sayer) talks about his best friend, Brian Piccolo and his battle with cancer; and just how much his friend means to him! That's a tear jerker for every guy I know!


FFD173
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What about Brians Song ???
That movie broke down 30 college guys watching it in the dorm.


Butterfly
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I am sure I am showing my age now, but what about "Brian's Song"?


Robin
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How about the TV movie from the 70's (I think) "Brian's Song" about football players Gail Sayer and Brian Piccolo (who dies)? I remember seeing tears running from my father's eyes during that scene.


Jeff Thomas
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"Brian's Song" and "Something for Joey" - nothing else comes close because these stories are true.


Movie Buff
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You got at least one of these wrong - Wallace's exhortation at the beginning of the battle of Stirling in 'Braveheart' is a good choice, but Wallace's execution and death ("Freeee-dom!"), sticking to his principles, even to the death, is far more of a 'choke up' moment. Also, the final scene at the beginning of the Battle of Bannockburn, where the simple act of Hamish throwing Wallace's claymore into the air with the bagpipes blowing the main theme and Wallace doing the voice-over will get to you too.

Another one that was missed - Gaius Maximus' death in 'Gladiator' ("He was a soldier of Rome - honour him."), where he was finally able to let himself pass and be with his family again in the Elysian Fields.

Finally, how many scenes from the LotR trilogy absolutely fit into this category - Frodo accepting the role of Ringbearer while the rest of the Council of Elrond argues over the Ring (basically, a child accepting a role far beyond him while the adults do nothing); Gandalf's 'death' on the Bridge of Khazad-dum (the only time I've ever seen my father 'choke up' at anything other than a war movie or the playing of Taps.); the arrival at dawn of Gandalf, Eomer, and his Riders ("Theoden King stands alone." "Not alone - Rohirrim, to the King!") to raise the Siege of Helm's Deep; Theoden's speech and the charge of the Rohirrim to help raise the Siege of Minas Tirith (the horns blowing at dawn, Theoden's realization that they are vastly outnumbered, and the Rohan theme playing over the charge into the teeth of the orc archers.); Sam, knowing he can't take the Ring from Frodo to help him, picking him up and carrying him up the side of Mt. Orodruin ("I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" - going so far beyond the call to help a friend in need.); Aragorn, before the Black Gate of Mordor, surrounded by 10,000 orcs and trolls, willingly leading a completely outnumbered charge in order to buy Frodo and Sam just a little more time to destroy the Ring (two simple words - "For Frodo."); and last (but certainly not least), the farewell scene at the Grey Havens when Gandalf calls Frodo to go ("It's time, Frodo."), where Frodo, unable to fully heal from his ordeal with the Ring, is taking the ship to Valinor, the Undying Lands, and has to say farewell forever to his dearest and closest friends.


Roger the Shrubber
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Bryan's Song

Perhaps the saddest movie of all time.


Robert
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Wait a minute there... You left out the "suuuuuperrrmannnn..." scene in "Iron Giant"?


Scrappy
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One scene that always gets me is in the movie "Phenomenon". When dying George (John Travolta) asks Lace (Kyra Sedgewick),"Will you love me the rest of my life", and she responds," No, I'll love you the rest of mine".


p-3B mod
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Dogs get rescued in "eight below" will jerk the tears out of anyone


Lee
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How could anyone not have been affected by The Green Mile, when John Coffee is executed. Truly, a heart-breaking scene.


BobL
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The BEGINNING of the original "I Am Third", the story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears, which starts with "Ernest Hemingway once said that all true stories end in death. Well, this is a true story." Knowing what is to come, that chokes me up.


Tom
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Call me crazy, but I burst into tears when Gary Bertier's car gets broadsided by the truck after the big game in Remember the Titans.

I love this film, and yet I suck at playing football.


loudspeaker
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0