5 of the greatest last stands in film

5 of the Greatest 'Last Stands' in recent film history

When used correctly the last stand is a great way to add tension to a film, be it through heroic sacrifice in the face of superior opposition, or to motivate the hero (or villain) to accomplish their goals.

A character may attempt to hold the line, or protect others as they escape, often whilst injured.

It can give a character redemption in death, or it can show the magnitude of the cause (as someone was willing to give their life).

So without further ado, let's start off with:

1. Sean Bean - LOTR: the Fellowship of the ring

Boromir finds redemption as he vainly attempts to keep Pippen and Merry from the clutches of the Uruk-Kai.

 Despite his failure, he proved that he was a pretty effective tank, taking multiple arrows as the hobbits looked on.

His death gives Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas an added reason to ensure they rescue the hobbits, but they most probably would have attempted it anyway.

Cliche rating 5/10 - He survives long enough to die in a comrades arms, which earns bonus points, but in reality he achieved little (expect making you not hate Boromir as much).


2. Jackie Chan - The Myth

This is probably one of the purest examples of the last stand, as General Meng-Yi stands alone against a full battalion of troops.

He dispatches the first few waves, but is finally caught with a stray blade and despite being given a chance to yield decides to continue regardless.

 The enemy leader decides enough is enough and Jackie is promptly given the Boromir treatment.

Cliché Rating 7/10 - So many; the enemy leader decides to give him an honourable death, he sees a friend die a few minutes beforehand, it takes a cheapshot arrow to finally fell the hero, he refuses to die etc.

3. Hugo Weaving - V for Vendetta

As the eponymous hero fights in this climatic scene, V himself says that he will die.

Not before leaving ten highly trained men dead, armed only with his "bloody knives and fancy karate gimmicks".

Despite being shot at point-blank range over 100 times, he still has the energy to choke his nemesis to death, before staggering off to die.

Cliché Rating 8/10 - "Bloody knives and fancy karate gimmicks".


4. Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino

Just like V, Walt Kowalski makes the ultimate sacrifice for a cause he truly believes in, gunned down in the street by lowlife thugs.

However his death isn't meaningless, because for some reason you cant shoot old men in the street over petty feuds and the culprits get sent to prison afterwards.

The scene gets added points for the relatively high credibility factor, as he goes down like a fly in comparison to others on the list, but he still manages to achieve his goals. (Plus he looks about 80).

 Cliché Rating 3/10 - Not as bad as others on the list, as some old men are genuinely crazy and brave like  Epic Beardman.


5. Gerard Butler - 300

As one of the most famous last stands it just had to be in the list. Leonidas and 300 of his Spartans fight a Persian army of 300,000 men and beasts until they are finally overwhelmed.

As a last show of defiance, Leonidas makes the God-King Xerxes bleed with a desperate spear but is cut down in a hail of arrows surrounded by his dead men.

Cliché Rating 9/10 - Hail of arrows, slow motion, impossible odds, last words and the fact that Leonidas is clearly the last Spartan standing.



I hope you enjoyed the list, let me know of any you think should be there.