At Close Range (1986) Opening Sequence

I don't own any rights to this clip.

[@frankconley5953]

Most Underrated Movie of The 80s and what makes it scary, is that it really happened

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

True that frank. This i believe is where Sean and Madonna hooked up as I love her song live to tell

[@lawrencetrafford232]

Don't know about the brothers though I don't believe this happened!!

[@SV-ds2um]

It most definitely did

[@HarrisO.R8]

​@@lawrencetrafford232It did and if anything the movie downplays so much more..One thing about the movie that wasn't true is that the real Brad Jr. wasn't a sympathetic person as portrayed here... If really interested, seek out a book called "Jailing the Johnston's"... One top thing. The son did survive the car shooting, 9 bullets.

[@dins5066]

Yeah he snitched on his father

[@donzaranko6658]

The opening music to this movie reminds me of my youth and makes me long for it. There is something about this song and the "Live to tell" song by Madonna that is beautiful, sad, and refreshing at the same time. I love it!

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

Amen don amen

[@ryancost8445]

80s sound

[@frankiehere2010]

The best opening to a movie....that emotional music...reminds me of when I was 19 Driving around just looking for my life to begin...

[@theoneitself]

paranormalfrank the theme is a different version of Live to Tell, right ?

[@samsever69]

same here....sometime in the 80s

[@Primonotion]

paranormalfrank it sounds like this background music belongs to madonna from live to tell?

[@scottyclayton5604]

SO true!!! We can all identify with this scene. Well said!!!!

[@amazingwomenofsports1464]

its not looking for it to begin, its realizing that it has begun...

[@chrissyforanimals]

An opening that makes you desperately wish time could stop, like you never want to see a clock again.

[@bluejeans1773]

💯❤️

[@jameshardy6277]

So well said.

[@BullyBoxer]

I will never understand why this film didn’t get accolades or exposure it deserved. I’m nearly 50 this is my favourite film of all time. The films a Masterpiece .

[@greatmcluhansghost7134]

because it didn't fit the narrative of 1980s movies. an oppressive father in a time of massive military expansion didn't exactly go hand in hand with chuck Norris, Stallone, jean Claude van dam. behind the tinsel is the real tinsel.

[@jameswilliams-zr8co]

it was ahead of its time, when you think 80's flicks, you think of the fun movies, back to the future, E.T., raiders of the lost ark, empire strikes back, gremlins, poltergiest, top gun,.. serious movies like this and permanent record with keanu reeves are so under rated

[@zamdrist]

Same, the movie is fantastic. Walken is just incredible in this. He's downright scary AF

[@cs292]

Because Tarantino films hadn’t arrived yet.

[@Prom20182]

Saw this movie for the first time the other night. I have to say I'm not the sentimental type but for some reason this movie moved me and made me think about it days later. The Madonna song intertwined throughout the movie was spectacular and a perfect fit. Really well done. You can even tell back then that Sean Penn was going to be a really good actor. You really can't beat the decade of the 80's for movies and music.

[@runningintohistory]

I agree! I actually just posted a video returning to the Johnston Gang locations that inspired At Close Range, including the place where Robin Miller was murdered if you're interested.

[@KJ-gc8oq]

@@runningintohistory watching it now, so interesting, thanks for uploading...

[@runningintohistory]

@@KJ-gc8oq thanks for checking it out. Definitely a crazy story.

[@HarrisO.R8]

The book is even deeper. The son survived 9 gunshots...and the gang was even more savage...if it interests you, seek a book called "Jailing the Johnston's".

[@mysterfrosty]

There was a dismissal kind of like if the Kardashians made a movie today.......no one would believe it could be good.....

[@mikeel3742]

Oh cool. I’m not the only one who thinks this is the best opening sequence of all time. That look man. That look.

[@pinopino1086]

One of my favourites too! Wish I could go back to this time.....👊

[@scottyclayton5604]

Nope! You're definitely not the only one! This is my favorite scene, from my favorite movie of all time!

[@mardoggyo6712]

It’s up there. T2 damn near unbeatable for a opening though.

[@hugobbo]

that soundtrack 🙏🙏

[@user-zz7si3ku5q]

@Miller Heileife just the way, they do it...

[@troylcx]

One of the most beautiful openings to a film. Patrick Leonard made one of the finest scores ever.

[@MarkEljiio]

He wrote the love theme for At Close Range but Carter Burwell has received his credit as "music score adapted and conducted by" for the film's latter.

[@dalton1462]

Love this!! Does anybody else get good bumps when you watch this opening scene????

[@dalton1462]

👍👍

[@bluejeans1773]

Absolutely

[@Babeiloveyouso]

Yes

[@SV-ds2um]

Every time!

[@MartajustinaRivadeneira]

Totalmente 😊

[@latinolawdog5067]

Such a haunting rendition of “Live To Tell”. Gives me chills.

[@RonBrowncomeandgetit]

Thank you for reminding me what this song was oh my God you just saved my day MTV 80’s rocks

[@kevind2409]

it's actually the origianl of "Live to Tell" Patrick Leonard made it for another film and tried to get Mdonna twrite to it, she was married to Sean Penn at the time and she suggeted leaonard for the composer after they turned him down.So she wrote the lyrics and demo'd the song and convinced them to hire Pat... She was a beast back then and Pat is so fucking talented this is such a haunting yet mysterious theme. As you can rob tell i love it alot

[@marckpineda2989]

It's the original instrumental version by Patrick Leonard

[@latinolawdog5067]

@@kevind2409 I wasn't aware of any of this. Very cool background and info. Thanks!

[@srnd2008]

Has anyone else played this music and drove around at night? It takes me back to the 80s and I love it

[@q-storm767]

I drove one morning to work playing this in the dead of winter.

[@junkdeal]

I spotted the woman who would become my wife on the courthouse square in Valparaiso Indiana on a cold night in February 1986, from the windowless Ford work van I was driving. I approached her later near a bar several days later. Every time I see this scene I think of that night. Much like this scene. She left me the day before Valentine’s Day in 1990.

[@kellysmith4625]

The answer is yes. I think I'm driving around looking for the 80's again...

[@lukewarmwater5320]

People don't meet like that anymore, a casual glance across a crowded room or in a library or a park, they find their "perfect" mates on dating sites and find safety and solace in the mediocre confines of someone who'll give them the least amount of trouble possible and won't challenge them emotionally or intellectually...true love is an anathema.

[@Pleaver]

So true. Well said.

[@bluejeans1773]

Beautiful Comment.. 💯

[@JenCole2107]

❤.... You said it beautifully. It's so true.

[@lukewarmwater5320]

Aww thanks, we live in the shadow of the real world and it's sad but it's true....@@JenCole2107

[@crystalshomestead2greenthu240]

❤❤❤

[@scottyclayton5604]

I can see this scene hundreds of times, which I literally have, and I still get goosebumps!

[@frankthespank]

Very well done film making, something that doesn’t happen today. Today this would be called slow and boring.

[@dalton1462]

Agree buddy and I was only 6 years old when this great movie was on HBO

[@traviseddings6267]

that's the way to open a movie. brilliant.

[@jacpoe77]

Google traslate: I saw this movie in 1997 and it touched me. It is a difficult movie to forget. It is true that, in general terms, good cinema is no longer made. Those of us who were born in the 20th century were lucky to enjoy great movies with great actors. This movie is beautiful and its soundtrack is capable of moving you. Sean penn is a great actor

[@Carol2010Anderson]

Anyone else here in 2020 & love this opening and movie.

[@anivarhain]

Bad Boys Sean Penn look it up.

[@justinbanks9739]

Always loved this opening scene - everything works beautifully - cinematography, expressions and score combine to make you want more straight away...Very underrated film I think.

[@solid434]

2021 here. I first watched this when i was 14yrs old, I'm 32 and it keeps gettin better.

[@Awoodfaerie]

2022 and back again.

[@bluejeans1773]

Yep love this scene . There is couple scenes we're he is walking to her house and is taking to her... Love the Swimming scene too Love the 80s ❤️❤️❤️

[@sashasiregar1238]

The only movie intro succeeded on making me cry. The music, the scene, that feeling of love, the slow motion and the girl looking at the camera.. Beautiful.

[@dalton1462]

I remember this movie HBO 1986!!

[@brnzn1009]

@@dalton1462 Had it recorded on VHS. :)

[@dalton1462]

Still get goosebumps evertime I watch it 👍👍

[@dalton1462]

Your not alone buddy love it tooooo

[@brnzn1009]

@@dalton1462 Favorite movie. All time. I tell everybody to watch it. Goosebumps, indeed!

[@raceface48]

I saw this on my first date with my wife in Santa Barbara back in 1986. Married 33 years now. Always a soft spot for this incredible movie.

[@RoyAH.]

I saw this in a small theater in Malibu when I was 17. This scene blew me away. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@shinobject]

amazing scene!

[@scottyclayton5604]

I wish I could've seen this in the theater!

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

Wow....I remember the song/video by Madonna at this time....I was 21 wish I could get a do over, but I have been blessed in my life....thanx God and my parents.....

[@RoyAH.]

Wow, all you guys! Killer comments!

[@scuwopguwop_0715]

Hands Down The Best Opening To A Scene 💯🙌🏽

[@bluejeans1773]

💯❤️

[@scuwopguwop_0715]

@@bluejeans1773 It Just Does Something To Your Soul😂

[@terovahlroos6613]

Yes

[@Leahh823]

I don’t know why I love this opening so much. The song is so haunting and sweet. It’s kind of romantic that Sean and Madonna were in love and married at this time.

[@ninarobles2893]

They still do ..as they were friends as well as I love they may not be together only they know why but they seem to br better friends now n still have great chemistry n the look in both of there eyes says it all ..they did really love each other n I'm sure whatever happened they understand each other lil more n outgrown or not whatever it is they except n love each other still 🤗❣️✨

[@frankthespank]

Umm.... Sean Penn beat up Madonna, more than once I think.

[@valueinyou9931]

An absolutely incredibly beautiful haunting mix...of foreshadowing, dread, possibility and longing allure. Always loved Mary Stuart Masterson's attractive mix of strength and vulnerability. Her first short look is just noticing... her second long one is truly wondering. This masterpiece opening sequence sucks you in to a painful yet superbly acted and very underrated film.

[@taranjene4453]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 So true and well said!!!!

[@williamsherman6995]

Nailed it.

[@angeleteashley7830]

The first time I saw this movie, I was 15 years old. I'm now 50 and I watched it again today. It was like watching it for the first time. Madonna's, "Live To Tell" opening scene was beautiful. Sean Penn and Christopher Walken were phenomenal. Nothing like the 80s.

[@SV-ds2um]

I’m 40 now and I watched it in the 90s with my grandfather. Now it’s one of my favorite movies. This is the best opening science ever! It’s on hbo max now btw

[@SV-ds2um]

Scene*

[@angeleteashley7830]

@@SV-ds2um thanks for letting me know.

[@BarneyWarwick-od8ld]

is this movie based on a true story we're did this happen

[@SV-ds2um]

yes, it happened in Pennsylvania.

[@MrOccyc]

It’s rare that the opening soundtrack hits the vibe of the movie like this one did.

[@JanRaz1955]

Too be that young again in 1986 👍🥰

[@inesben8814]

They dont make them like this anymore. Watching this makes me very sad i dont know why.

[@antred11]

Yeah, you can tell they put a lot more thought and effort into making movies then than they do now (generally speaking; obviously there are exceptions).

[@soonersdevil]

Too much over-acting...you don't need constant talking to make movies work

[@bluejeans1773]

Me too 💞💞

[@tonysproule3408]

Greatest movie ever, greatest opening scene Penn and Walken at their best..

[@annaelizabeth7322]

Opening scene definitely made me cry that look.

[@teslamjd7829]

Randomly popped up on showtime I was blown away at what a great movie it is. Music is haunting and fits so well.

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

True that

[@mr.blackwell5423]

AT CLOSE RANGE & FIRST BLOOD are my two favorite 1980's movies! (Sly's escape scene in First Blood is fabulous!) TAXI DRIVER & FIVE EASY PIECES are my favorite 1970's flicks. I know, it's hard to pick from so many GREAT movies!

[@Sunshineoversham]

The musical score by Patrick Leonard is one of the best I’ve ever listened to in a movie next to Harold Faltermeyer composing Top Gun. So dynamic and so powerful that you truly connect with it.

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

Great call sos

[@HarrisO.R8]

I agree, and the slow lazy music sound..IMO, symbollically is the mood of the area he lives in, not a fast paced City-esque atmosphere..just a lazy, drifting boring place....In the beginning only..the music shifts in rhthym with events as they unfold in the film..slowly increasing in peril....So well done.

[@darrenbond4280]

Harold Faltermeyer did a great job with the Beverley Hills Cop Soundtrack as well. There’s just something so haunting with this song. Instrumentally the chord/melody structure is outstanding on its own, then Madonna came along and turned it into something extraordinary. There was something about music scores in the 80’s that still has a resounding effect on me. Love Theme from St Elmo’s Fire as well. Melodic Perfection

[@samsever69]

I can watch this intro all day..

[@jazcastellanos187]

Sean Penn was so gorgeous

[@mathhousegiant2055]

Now THIS IS WATH A FILM INTRO SHOULD BE!

[@KennethPalmer10]

One of my favorite opening scenes in a movie 🎉

[@machiavellimadman]

Great examples on why to never look away, until she look back❗️🐸❗️

[@scottyclayton5604]

Beautifully said!

[@RoyAH.]

With her beauty, I really don’t think he had an option to look away. 😍

[@frankiehere2010]

Player alert. 😜

[@Pleaver]

This movie changed my life. I have a brother and our Dad was a heavy character. This movie showed me that love and truth are worth living for in the end.

[@mikel9248]

There aren't many films this dark which also have so much beauty in the score and cinematography (this scene as the standout).

[@rubo111]

Bitter sweet, the beginning of the end for a normal life.

[@frankiehere2010]

You're Wise beyond my years .

[@bluejeans1773]

Agree 💞

[@super786933]

such a big movie with 2 huge actors, direction at its peak yet underrated, should have awarded many oscars.

[@scottschoppert9149]

It’s crazy how I watch this movie and can actually feel like I’m back in time to when I was a young boy. I would love to go back to the good old days as my mother called them.

[@criticalbill2090]

I cant believe it was only earlier this year I finally got round to watching this underrated gem of a movie. This opening sequence had me gripped from the go. The music score, lighting and Sean Penn`s screen presence is pure magic

[@bleep77]

Amazing intro to an underrated movie. The music brings the chills.

[@Etswe]

As a fan of movies based on real events this is a movie i´ll remember forever.

[@lakedrastewart5349]

I am 31 I love this movie and the music Sean 💗💗💗❤️💯 young lady such a doll

[@mullo8734]

Goosebumps!

[@black71cuda]

I lived in Franklin, TN when this movie was made, and that's my brother driving (now, my) 1971 Roadrunner in that scene a few minutes later. I was a few months short of my 16th birthday, so my 1973 'cuda wasn't in the movie, but might've been...

[@justice4641]

Gets me in the feels!

[@shesoweird3538]

Great movie and great soundtrack. So glad I finally seen this movie and I will be 33 soon

[@skillet9141]

Possibly the darkest, yet most alluring romantic movie I’ve ever seen. I could be wrong though, I don’t know.

[@sdavis5001]

watching in Nov. 2021........this beginning IS epic. You guys are so on with the comments. I loved this movie; and the Penn/Madonna era though short lived. Beautiful they still love each other. But yeah, his look.......I only wish someone looked at me like that. Never happened.

[@kimmykatty7444]

This whole thing is so beautiful!

[@scottyclayton5604]

I love you too, dad.

[@joes622]

I grew up very much like this in a similar place and time. This movie hits hard, very hard. 9.5/10

[@missmaomi28]

I’ve never seen this before, but I always remembered the scenes from the Madonna video

[@aaronkasperek526]

See the movie it's good.

[@SV-ds2um]

It’s on hbo max right now please watch it

[@jenng1173]

The soundtrack is indeed awesome and can be repetitively played in the living room

[@Myworld1916]

This is the sort of movie you are willing to watch during late night. But the huge difference is that it does bring you into the atmosphere with it's music. It's kind of ironic since most of the movie is set in nightfall and I first watched it during a cold winter night. I still repeated this when I show this movie to my brother and her girflriend at their house, a few weeks later on at a same sort of late night hour.

[@samiawilliams151]

I can’t imagine how epic this first scene was to see in the movie theaters. I was only 7 when this came out, so I didn’t see it when it was in theaters.

[@ALLMIMSYWASTHEJABBERWOCK]

Samia, nothing else in the rest of the movie (other than Penns two encounters with Masterson, of course!) can match the magic of this opening sequence. It's a good film but it could've been a great film, but really, when you think about it, it was going to be very difficult for Foley to match those magical slow-motion shots of Masterson in this sequence especially from a purely cinematic perspective.

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

Amen sister. I was 12 and live to tell by Madonna is one of my favorites

[@gwynmaverickjames6098]

Love the start just close up of Sean penn driving and the music brilliant,1st watched it summer of 89,never bored of it

[@mmatrix3998]

After all these years... Still gives me chills

[@soonersdevil]

Not One word...yet an Excellent scene

[@regmcmahon8680]

YOU ROCK DAVID SHIN, FOR POSTING THIS!!!

[@kylegood4207]

This was filmed in the town I live in. It’s such a chilling scene, I think of it every time I drive through the circle. It looks very different these days though.

[@dfgfddffd4297]

wHATS THE NAME OF YOUR TOWN?

[@kylegood4207]

@@dfgfddffd4297 Franklin, TN.

[@dfgfddffd4297]

@@kylegood4207 ty

[@scottyclayton5604]

How does it look different? I have always wanted to visit, this is my favorite movie of all time.

[@kylegood4207]

@@scottyclayton5604 you can google some pics to get a better idea. On any normal year, people travel a good bit to here during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The bank you see in the background to the left of the courthouse is now a mellow mushroom pizza. Most of the historic buildings are preserved, but are different businesses. My bank is actually on the circle, and it’s an old brothel/hotel salon from the late 1800’s. It’s been redone, but they have kept most of the bones of the building in tact. The courthouse is preserved well, and looks almost perfect but that’s because they don’t use it for that anymore. It’s more like a library or landmark now. It’s just there. On the opposite side of that, they built a new courthouse with a parking garage. Most of the old lofts leading up to the circle are trendy shops or restaurants now. Lot of good places to eat and drink and walk around. There’s a Nice Irish bar there. My barber is around the circle. The civil war monument she is standing next too is untouched, and in December they make it into a Christmas tree. It’s a really nice town. Watching this scene is pretty haunting.

[@JohnCastillo-i2k]

I will for ever remember watching this movie in the early 80.I can relate to it 2024 😮

[@kevinkim390]

This is one of Sean Penn's greatest performances, certainly up there in the Top 5. When he's on the screen you couldn't take your eyes off of him.

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Sean Penn and Madonna 2 incredibly talented tough people who both have done extraordinary work. I wondered about them as a couple because of the iron sharpens iron aspect of things. The acting in this movie is gritty believable, and scary. Bravo to all involved.

[@charleydobbs1383]

Just discovered this film and obsessed since…Sean penn reminds me of my ex just sentimental feelings all over the place …the music everything just goes together perfectly

[@LieutenantDanz]

One of the best openings scenes, this movie has also one of the best endings.

[@jayminaya408]

I always wondered why in a Madonna's concert they never played this amazing intro when playing Live to Tell.

[@marckpineda2989]

Cuz the instrumental is from Patrick Leonard

[@fabricatedreality8218]

I loved watching this movie as a kid back in the 80's. I thought Sean Penn was so cute. the book written about this true story was really good. what a crazy gang of ppl.

[@zhenwu7032]

I have just located this film based on my enduring love for Madonna performance of Live to Tell, which is indeed haunting and touching. Hopefully Madonna would know that a Mainland Chinese has been her fan for almost 35 years.

[@MrGroenland1]

Introduction atmosphérique avec un jeune Sean Penn. Illumination divine. Exceptionnel

[@anivarhain]

Fucking love Sean Penn and i am not gay not that gay is wrong Love is Love and no one can take it away from you,so people go and see all the old 80s movies and you start to understand what people that was born in the 60s and 70s are talking about,what the hell 2020 has been a fucking hard year so i love you all that is reading this.

[@larrybaker9924]

Based on a true story.

[@YourLockerzPal]

It’s spring 2021. May. I love playing this every spring.

[@samanthab1923]

Saw this when it first came out. Wasn’t till years later when we moved to PA I heard the real story from one of the reporters that wrote a book on the Johnson’s

[@mullo8734]

Just WOW

[@scottyclayton5604]

RIP, Robin Miller

[@jamesmaccallum3806]

I was 10 years old and i saw this opening and it gripped me

[@chrispetty4574]

I love Madonna music it is the best and greatest

[@lightbulbchannel721]

They don't make movies like this anymore. Greetings from Serbia!.

[@runningintohistory]

That's the truth. I actually just posted a video returning to the Johnston Gang locations that inspired At Close Range, including the place where Robin Miller was murdered if you're interested.

[@mikaelhagstrom9381]

Great Movie ..💓👍

[@fauberkaupfmann982]

This is one of The few scenes in cinema history that almost makes me want to be an American.

[@michaelburt1370]

This music is a tear jerker for sure

[@bobw4541]

I have it complete song from the opening it's better than the original I Love it !!! I wish I was 19 again listening to this in my car.

[@machiavellimadman]

💖Te quiero Madonna💖

[@georgiagurlgamingx3237]

One of the best opening scenes to any movie up there with raging bull

[@machiavellimadman]

(HEMDALE) GREAT MOVIES

[@mr.peevyshow1914]

The most underrated film of the decade. Gut wretching scene with Sean and Christopher should be taught in every acting class.

[@parkjamesshaw3189]

Afuckinmen Mr ps

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

Wow....I remember the song/video by Madonna at this time....I was 21 wish I could get a do over, but I have been blessed in my life....thanx God and my parents.....

[@matricha69]

This moment when Sean Penn looks at the camera:2min 01..

[@FredRoberts-w7c]

Great film

[@jimsantilli5602]

this and Raging Bull 2 best openings i have ever seen !!!

[@matthewp.1027]

That look what she gave to Sean Penn, at the opening….is oscar winning❤️

[@Summer-rb2ol]

Love this..... wish a man would look at me that way 😭

[@ladyjmarie3955]

same

[@frankiehere2010]

@@ladyjmarie3955 I'm looking ❤

[@ladyjmarie3955]

@@frankiehere2010 😍

[@armpits56]

Easy, you two.

[@taylorahern3755]

❤❤☺☺

[@87yugo74]

I have seen this movie a few times and its still freaks me out knowing that this was all true.

[@johnnyboy7144]

This scene and the movie Some kind of Wonderful had me head over heels in love with Mary Stuart Masterson when I was 15 years old lol

[@timothyvanscoy6953]

I grew up in the area where this took place in real life. I would have sworn at they filmed it @2:56 in Oxford, Pennsylvania, where Bruce Johnston Jr met Robin Miller, as fictionalize by Brad Jr and Terri in this movie. I was knocked out when I found they filmed this in Tennessee. It looks IDENTICAL to Oxford of the late 70s/early 80s as I remember. Music makes it 10000 more powerful

[@runningintohistory]

It does fit the area well. I actually just posted a video returning to the Johnston Gang locations that inspired At Close Range, including the place where Robin Miller was murdered if you're interested.

[@timothyvanscoy6953]

@@runningintohistory I saw it. Great job!

[@runningintohistory]

@@timothyvanscoy6953 thanks a lot Timothy!

[@BW-kv9wj]

One of the best films of all time.

[@davidellis5141]

Very underrated film.