I love that quote.
Has anyone ever watched "Band of Brothers"? Other than the fact that it didn't have subtitles on the DVD's (my grandfather couldn't hear well and was disappointed), it was one of the best mini-series I can remember seeing. For those who haven't, it is based on a book by Stephen Ambrose and follows an outfit of the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne from training in Toccoa, GA through D-Day, Market Garden up to and past occupying Hitler's "Eagle's Nest".
There is one episode that always stood out for me. It is titled "The Breaking Point". After repelling the last major German offensive of the war, The Bastards of Bastogne have entrenched themselves in the hills above the village of Foy. The episode follows Sgt. Lipton as he tries to rally his men in the face of the utter incompetence of their CO, Lt. Dyke.
A quote from earlier in the episode: "Lt. Dike wasn't a bad leader because he made bad decisions. He was a bad leader because he made no decisions."
After enduring constant shelling which see many of his men (friends) fall, preperation begins for an assault of the town. The night before, he voices his concerns to a batallion officer about Lt. Dyke, and although the commander seems to agree, he can do nothing as they are short of officers as it is.
The assault begins and as expected, Lt. Dyke leads the men to ruin. He freezes up while mortor shells and machine gun fire fall around and through his men. The commander, in an act of desperation while watching from a hill above(as these were his men before being promoted) tries to join up with them himself but is prevented by a higher ranked officer. In a snap decision, he sends in Lt. Spears -- a seasoned officer known for a penchant of mercilessness. He relieves Dyke, takes control and the company takes the town with limited casualties.
Spears becomes the commanding officer of the company.
The above is a long way to get to the point of this diary -- I get goose bumps when Spears recklessly/foolishly/bravely runs head long into town, past astonished Germans at his own peril to link up the scattered troops. For me, it is one of those defining "moments" that always raise the hair on my neck, and gets a lump in my throat. The end of Return of the King where Aragon, then his subjects bow to the hobbits out of respect. The end of "Rudy". It's a Wonderful Life (of course). The Millenium Falcon flying out of the sun's rays after saving Luke. My wife's "moment" is in "The Notebook"
Does anyone have any movie moment like these to suggest? I need to turn my brain off for a while and could use a little inspirational "movie magic" right about now.......
The quote I led with is from "Remember the Titans", which is one of my favorites.
Thanks for those who reply. Apologies for taking space on the list from important and/or insightful diaries.