MovieChat Forums > Clerks (1994) Discussion > Longest take in film history?

Longest take in film history?


Just wondering if this film holds any records because a lot of those scenes like when Caitlin is talking to Dante, they're going through pages of dialogue for over 5 minutes straight without a cut. I mean I've seen some long Kubrick shots but not much is ever really being said. It's pretty impressive, atleast to me. I couldn't remember all that stuff.

"the day I tried to live, I learned that I was alive"

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The one where Dante & Kaitlin are talking in the video store is over 5 minutes I believe.

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It's a long take, but I've seen some Gus Van Sant films with way longer takes than that.

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I don't know about length, but some of the most amazing long cuts are from Children of Men. These are cuts with coordinated action and battle sequences.

Amy: I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!

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Not even close. Look up "Russian Ark" or "Goodfellas" for really long takes. Just google "long movie take" for a list.

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Is Russian Ark actually good? The idea of a film that is literally only a single shot sounds intriguing, but I don't really know much else about it.

"An image can say a thousand words, whereas a word cannot show a thousand images." - N.W.R.

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I've never seen it myself - I only know about it because of the long shot.

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They point out on dvd commentary that their lines are hidden on & off screen. I think they made mention of that during Dante & Randal's 1-1 at the counter, Dante doing accounting & Randal looking at the magazine.
Dante's script is down amongst the paperwork, Randal's script is inside the mag he's holding. Have to assume Caitlin's lines are on the wall she's facing, Dante's down around somewhere for cues also.

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Those are much better than having your costars wear your lines (Marlon Brando, I'm looking at you).

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

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