The 11 Best Moments Of Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman

The Generals In The Board Room

Diana is keen to go “to the war” upon arrival in London, but Steve convinces her that they must first speak to the “man that can do something about it.”

“I am the man that can do something about it,” states Diana. But Steve is insistent that this is the way to expedite the process. And so, the two of them head to Whitehall.

Upon arriving at the door of a board room, in which Generals and politicians are meeting to discuss military strategy and the need for Armistice, Steve tells Diana to wait outside while he goes in. She ignores him and follows him inside, at which point, the men in the room become increasingly uncomfortable – eventually insisting that she leave, because a woman should not be in that room with them. Diana becomes irritated by the reaction of the men, and admonishes them and Steve for holding such superior attitudes from their position of safety, while innocent people are being slaughtered.

This is an important scene, because it’s the first exposure Diana really has to the absurd social ways of humanity. She berates the method of waging war from a distance; of corrupt men making decisions for the benefit of the few, while sacrificing the needs of the many; and of the pointless goals of such brutal violence. As this largely untested Amazon warrior faces this room full of British Generals and politicians, she finds nothing but cowardice and shameful misogyny – but it’s an early lesson for her in her quest to end the conflict.

Wonder Woman Goes Over The Top

As the real centrepiece of the film, this is the scene in which Diana of Themyscira truly becomes Wonder Woman. Steve Trevor has assembled a small team of men he’s worked with before, and this group has brought Diana to the front – outside the town of Veld. As the team makes its way through the allied trench, Diana is appalled at the conditions, and is moved by the appeals of a woman and child, who describe to her the way in which the local people have been abused, starved and enslaved.

Diana demands answers of Steve Trevor and his friends, and insists that they stop to help the local population. Steve explains that the area outside the trench is known as “No Man’s Land,” because no man can cross it without being cut down by German snipers. In war, he says, “you can’t save everyone,” and he tells her they’re moving on. Diana disagrees, plants her feet and removes her cloak. In full Wonder Woman battle dress, she slowly and deliberately climbs the ladder out of the trench, as Steve and his friends shout to her to stop.

As she reaches the top of the ladder, the first shot is fired, and she deflects it with her gauntlet. She continues on, batting away a volley of bullets and reaching for her shield. The shooting becomes more intense as German forces try to stop her in her tracks, but Diana picks up speed. As she breaks into a run, Steve and the Allied forces are inspired to follow.

“She’s drawing their fire! Let’s go!”

With Wonder Woman leading the way and clearing their path, half-starved Allied soldiers, who had previously been pinned down in their trench for over a year break across the battlefield – taking the German position and heading into the occupied town of Veld.

This is a deeply moving scene, as it shows Diana embracing her instinct and abilities with such conviction as to inspire hundreds of men who had previously lost all hope. Her actions reinvigorate their own sense of purpose, and they’re compelled to act by this glimmer of optimism and determination to do the right thing. Diana is the catalyst in this situation for a section of humanity spiralling into despair. She does not save them – because German forces are still firing into the area as she thunders across it. Instead, she makes room for them to save themselves, as she seeks to liberate the town of Veld. She gives each of them the space and motivation to be their own hero.

It’s the sight of this woman’s determination, though, that creates a well of emotion within the audience. We’ve seen Diana grow and train, and head into battle with a single-minded naïveté to rival the most untested of warriors. We’ve seen her discover the complexities of the issues facing humanity in this war-torn era, and feel horror at the pain men are willing to inflict upon one another. Just as Steve gave us the first view of Diana through the eyes of an outsider, so Diana gives us the first view of humanity through the perspective of a newcomer – and yet, she still goes over the top to save us. It’s been No Man’s Land for over a year, but Wonder Woman opens it up to let help through.