10 Of The Most Impressive Long Takes In Movie History

Amongst the highest of high praise received so far by Gravity (which I see as well deserved) is that it has the potential to be a game-changer for movies. Reasons for this include its use of sound, a simple storyline for the audience to follow through, subtle but effective characterization, and some of the best use of 3D we have seen to date. One of the chief reasons its action sequences have drawn accolades is its use of what are typically referred to as “long takes,” although the label may not be entirely suitable for this film since rather than the traditional method of having to capture every aspect of a sequence in one continuous go-round, CGI allows for a little more dexterity and precision than the mayhem of getting everything right all at once. The way of achieving this effect, of giving us one long, interrupted shot with no cutting is markedly different, but the effect itself and the degree of difficulty in achieving it are likely quite similar.