Favorite movie speeches

Some of my favorite moments in a particularly great film is when a great speech/monologue is delivered by an equally great actor. Sure, the screenwriter put the words to paper — some actors have been known to ad lib — but it’s a great actor that brings those words to life to move us, inspire us, make us weep; basically, whatever the scene calls for.

There are quite a few noted speeches throughout film history. What are some of your favorites? I’ll start.

Everyone, I’m sure, knows Peter Finch’s famous, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” speech from the film Network. Hell, it gives me chills just thinking about it.

However, there’s an even better speech from that same movie by the brilliant Finch. And it’s probably my all-time favorite movie monologue. I often find myself quoting it when I’m on a long, boring drive.

Not to mention, even though the film came out in 1976, I still find it an incredibly relevant bit of social commentary.