15 Tracking Shots to Blow Your F@cking Mind
A collection of some of my favorite long takes for you to study (after you get done scraping your detonated brains off the wall)
This week, I published a feature article about what I believed to be the greatest tracking shot in film history, which you should read here before you dive into this piece. Now, as an educational resource for 5AM StoryTalk’s subscribers, I thought I’d share a collection of fifteen of my favorite tracking shots of all time. If you have the time and inclination, there is certainly a great deal to learn from the cinematic magic presented here.
First, what is a tracking shot? Well, the definition has changed over the years, but, for our purposes, let’s just say it’s any shot that moves the camera through a scene for an extended period of time.
Typically, such shots involve a setting they bring to life in glorious detail so that you feel like you’re right there with the characters in them, follow a focal character or focal characters through the entire shot, and, most impressively when they work, add to the cinematic narrative, the plot, in a way that less-ambitious shots would not. Personally, I’d say any tracking shot that feels more like a trick than a plot necessity yanks you out of a film or episode of TV (whispers: because they do).
As for my list, I’m not going to explain why I adore each tracking shot so much. I think their craftsmanship, beauty, and ultimate success are self-evident upon viewing. If any of my choices confuse you, please feel free to question me in the comments; likewise, feel free to share your own preferences.
In alphabetical order…
ATONEMENT (2007): Dunkirk
Don’t worry, this link works if you click on “Watch on YouTube” below.
BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997): Welcome to Hot Traxx
CHILDREN OF MEN (2006): The Car Ambush
This tracking shot is, at this moment in time, my third favorite tracking shot of all time. Go for a wander on YouTube, and you can find a making of featurette that will blow your mind.
CHILDREN OF MEN (2006): The Uprising!
Children of Men is so brilliant, there are two tracking shots from it on this list.
THE CRANES ARE FLYING (1957): The Parade of Tanks
GOODFELLAS (1990): The Copacabana
Many people I know consider this the greatest tracking shot in film history. They are wrong.
KILL BILL VOL. 1 (2003): Massacre Prologue at the Restaurant
OLDBOY (2003): The Hallway Royal Rumble
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005): The Ball
PULP FICTION (1994): The Gold Watch
RUSSIAN ARK (2002): The Whole Damn Film
RUSSIAN ARK is one long tracking shot. It’s…mind-boggling.
THE SHINING (1980): Tricycle Sequence
SOY CUBA (1964): The Funeral Cortege
On some days, I think this is the greatest tracking shot in film history…
SPECTRE (2015): The Día de Los Muertos Opening Shot
TOUCH OF EVIL (1958): The Opening Sequence
Many people I know also consider this the greatest tracking shot in film history. I disagree with them, too, but it’s a very popular opinion.
And you can read what I think the greatest tracking shot in cinematic history is here:
If this article added anything to your life but you’re not up for a paid subscription, please consider buying me a “coffee” so I can keep as much of this newsletter free as possible for the dreamers who couldn’t afford it otherwise.
If you enjoyed this particular article, these other three might also prove of interest to you:
Enthusiastically agree, in particular with Children of Men!
Great list of tracking shots! There are also those long 10 minute(ish) takes in Hitchcock's Rope.