the lancaster - march scene in the oval office
one of the best scenes of all time.
shareThis was in the age where dialogue-heavy scenes felt like an action movie. Each dramatic line is like a punch to the face. Excellent scene.
shareSo many great things about it, but a key point is how Lancaster first reveals:
ONE: His villainy. Laying out for President Lyman how all of General Scott's lies and alibis have been prepared in advance so that he CANNOT be accused of the coup...looking to make Lyman seem old and forgetful. General Scott knows his plan is an evil and criminal one, even as he has justified it to himself.
TWO: His megalomania. Lyman uses the word against Scott and Scott proves he is one and also: probably insane. His inability to accept being CALLED a megalomanic is part of the madness, he DOES think he can and should be President RIGHT NOW, "by any means necessary."
March has the hero part and the fine speech-making, but its Lancaster in all his powerful fury and self-assurance who makes the scene terrifying.