Top 10 No Man Left Behind Scenes in Movies
#10: “The World’s End” (2013)
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Serving as the third and final entry in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, “The World’s End” concerns a group of middle-aged friends reuniting for the first time in decades and attempting a pub crawl in their hometown. No one can stand the alcoholic and annoying Gary King - that is, until the ending, when both Andy and Steven put themselves in danger for him. Andy chases after Gary, even after Gary gives him the car keys to make an escape, and Steven attempts a rescue in the car by crashing through The Hole in the Wall. Later, Steven also propels down into The World’s End chamber to be with Andy and Gary. Maybe they do care, after all!
#9: “Cloverfield” (2008)
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Written by Drew Goddard and produced by J.J. Abrams, “Cloverfield,”a popular found footage movies, follows some type of massive creature attacking New York City. Most of the plot concerns a rescue attempt, as protagonist Rob looks to rescue his girlfriend Beth from her apartment at the Time Warner Center. Beth has become trapped in the apartment, and when the characters finally arrive, they discover that she has been impaled on an exposed reinforcing bar. Luckily, Beth survives, and the group makes their escape in a departing military helicopter. Or try to, at least. The monster has other plans.
#8: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)
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In this film, Peter Quill finally gets to meet his long-lost father, the appropriately-named Ego bond. They bond, but it turns out Ego has ulterior motives. He plans to use Quill so he can terraform the universe with planetary extensions of himself. Ego seduces Peter with some type of cosmic vision, and Peter falls into a trance (that is, until Ego reveals that he killed Peter’s mother). Both Mantis and Nebula wish to leave Peter behind, but Drax literally embodies the no man left behind trope by declaring, “We’re family. We leave no one behind.” The Guardians decide to rescue Peter from Ego’s influence and storm the planet, eventually blowing up Ego’s brain and saving both Peter and the universe.
#7: “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
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This movie introduces both Captain America and Cap’s best friend, Bucky Barnes. In 1943, Cap learns that Barnes is MIA and infiltrates a Hydra compound to rescue him. It’s here that he finds and frees Barnes, and it’s here that Barnes proves his dedication to his good friend, Steve. After meeting The Red Skull, Barnes makes his way across a rickety beam before it collapses. Facing a massive drop and a deadly pit of explosions, Cap tells Barnes to go on without him, but Barnes vehemently refuses. Naturally, Cap figures something out and the two manage to make their escape. It’s quite a touching scene - especially when you consider what comes later...
#6: “Forrest Gump” (1994)
The titular character gets himself into all sorts of interesting predicaments , not aloof them funny - like being deployed to Vietnam. Forrest enlists in the Army after graduating college and is sent to Mekong Delta. While there, his patrol is ambushed and the unit is attacked in one of the movie’s best and most memorable sequences. Forrest shows incredible bravery throughout the attack by running back and saving numerous lives - including Lieutenant Dan, who loses both of his legs. Forrest’s brave actions earn him the Medal of Honor - and the audience’s love and respect.
#5: “Black Hawk Down” (2001)
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No man left behind is the entire premise of “Black Hawk Down.” Based on Mark Bowden’s non-fiction book, the movie details the tragic Battle of Mogadishu, which took place during the Somali Civil War. Fought between October 3 and 4 of 1993, some sources estimate that the battle resulted in over 500 deaths, the vast majority among the Somali National Alliance. The movie concerns the downing of two Black Hawk helicopters and the resulting rescue mission that took place throughout the night. One of the greatest sequences involves two Delta snipers who are placed near the crash site, as these snipers died in the attack and were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery and valor.
#4: “Toy Story” (1995)
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At the heart of “Toy Story” is the rocky relationship between Buzz and Woody. Buzz is the fancy new toy, and Woody feels jealous of the attention that he receives from Andy. As such, he treats Buzz like dirt throughout much of the movie - even accidentally knocking him out the bedroom window after trying to nudge him under a desk. However, their dynamic changes forever after they are taken by the mean and cruel Sid. Woody helps bring Buzz back from utter despondency, and he saves him from a rocket launch with a little help from Sid’s disfigured toys. Later, Woody jumps off the van and saves Buzz yet again after he becomes trapped by a fence. And with that, one of animation’s greatest friendships was born.
#3: “The Matrix” (1999)
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Much of “The Matrix” concerns Neo discovering his potential and becoming The One. And while he doesn’t become The One until the very end of the movie, he finally decides to embrace his potential and turns utterly badass by rescuing Morpheus from the Agents. Tank considers unplugging Morpheus to prevent him from spilling secrets, but Neo decides to head back in and attempt a rescue. This results in what is perhaps the most ingenious climax in modern movie history, filled with numerous iconic sequences like “guns, lots of guns,” the lobby shootout, the minigun attack, Neo dodging bullets, and the subway fight between Neo and Agent Smith.
#2: “The Terminator” (1984)
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The climax of “The Terminator” sees Kyle Reese in rough shape. He is shot by the Terminator while throwing pipe bombs, and he is essentially taken out of commission for the rest of the movie. He can barely stand by the time he and Sarah arrive at the factory. After pushing some buttons, Reese collapses in pain and exhaustion, telling Sarah to leave him behind and run. However, she manages to stand him up with a little strength and some motivational words of encouragement. Her use of “soldier” is important. It’s at this point that Sarah takes charge and becomes a fellow soldier alongside Reese, and her character arc into self-sufficient badass is almost complete.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Full Metal Jacket” (1987)
Animal Mother Attempts to Save Eightball & Doc Jay from a Viet Cong Sniper
“Backdraft” (1991)
“You Go, We Go.”
“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986)
Chekhov Is Rescued from the Hospital
“Hacksaw Ridge” (2016)
Desmond Doss Saves 75 Men During the Battle of Okinawa
#1: “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)
Much like “Black Hawk Down,” this entire movie embodies the “no man left behind” trope. A woman loses three of her four sons during World War II, so George C. Marshall orders a company to retrieve James Ryan and bring him home. While the concept itself fits the list, the movie also contains many individual scenes that adhere to the “no man left behind” policy. Wounded soldiers are dragged to safety (including Mike Horvath in the climactic battle), James refuses to leave his company and stays to defend the bridge, and Miller’s company decides to join the battle so as to remain with James and keep him safe. Put simply, there’s a lot of bravery on display throughout this magnificent film.
