Yes, the long single cut is amazing and a Scorsese trademark. But that song makes this scene. It's sets the time and place like almost no other song could do. It just so defines that era.
The power of this scene lies in the steady camera, and the dialogue. By giving us one long shot of Henry and Karen simply walking through this place while Henry talks to the people he's passing by with utmost friendliness and familiarity, it shows us how seamlessly Hill has integrated himself into the mob life. Simply brilliant.
He went through the back door because it was the shortcut - not because the Copa was embarrassed to have him enter through the front. The Copa, along with El Morocco, was the place to be if you had money - movie star, mobster, Duke, businessman, show girl - it catered to anyone with money.
Yes, but also, this shot is from not really from Henry's POV -- it's reallyKaren's. To Henry this whole experience is as regular as that Bouncer-type eating a sandwich in the hallway they pass; for Karen, it's her first taste of an exotic, almost celebrity lifestyle where everything is on a first-name basis, and big tips flow casually from one palm to the other as freely as greetings.
I just noticed they had no reason to walk through the kitchen at all other than the shot, the hall they entered from is right next to the hall they enter the main room from. Instead of just continuing straight they went through the whole kitchen
Tony Soprano 550 I’m not a goodfella, just my good old friend from high school runs the club like this one and workers serve me like a I’m Frankie Vale or some king of big shot. When +40 people staying inline waiting to go in, me and my gfs walk trough the kitchen from backdoor.
If you look up and see how the real Hendry Hill ended up you'd think very differently. Besides, in today's modern society you can afford to take your girl out to a nice club and get VIP service. Unless you're a dirt cheap Broke-Ass chump, but then you would be below a regular guy.
Just be grateful that you haven't had to endure the painful transition from the high life, to mediocrity. It's a scab that's picked often, and bleeds regularly. Then you remember you're just grateful to be alive. That's what I assume anyway.
My aunt was a waitress at the famous Pepe's pizza in New Haven and a Friday night usually involves a 1hr+ wait time. Me and a girl I was taking out for the first time went there and she had us come through the back thru the kitchen while the line went out the door. Tipping my hat to the chefs and the people I knew there made me feel like Henry Hill in this scene lol
PEPES!!! I lived in New Haven for a while and a couple yrs my apartment was literally on the other side of the fence from Pepes. The smell was freakin amazing when I’d come home from work
@J Ygb, From what I have read and heard, the actual cause of death was never revealed. The only thing I know for certain is that Ray Liotta died in his sleep while in the Dominican Republic. He was there to shoot a movie.
The restaurant didn’t allow them to shoot the entrance of the restaurant for publicity purposes of being in a mob movie. Of course Scorsese turned this into one of the greatest scenes of all time by taking this restriction to his advantage. This is what actually happened.
@@lorrilewis2178 I wouldnt say that, hes showing off how well known and respected he is by everyone. Most people would be impressed by that to some degree.
This iconic shot was done on the 8th take and the steadicam operator directed Ray Liotta (Henry Hill) to pause every so often to let the camera catch up to him at the bottom of the stairs. This is why Henry stops every so often to tip doormen or to comment to the couple in the corner.
That walk from car to table (and Mr. Tony) - wow - no cuts (the average :30 Tv commercial has 25-30 edits some 50). Swaggering, cocky Henry never makes a wrong turn, instinctively guides them through turns in the suffocating catacombs of the kitchen, as he's familiarly done a thousand times before... The Crystals such perfect striding music. The employees, so great, too! Magnificent.
god this such an effective scene. and such a pain in the ASS as a cameraman. dodging all those people while still trying to make it realistic? yikes. but this is easily one of my favorite continuous shots ever. the only rivals in my opinion are the tricycle scene from the shining for its use of sound or the hijacking scene from true detective b/c it is just badass and super professional. but this is probably the best. understated, you get a real sense of the main character. following them down to the basement of the building, you get a feeling that this guy is in 'below the ground level' and part of something the general public just isn't. its not just the framing, but the physical location of the characters that makes this scene effective. very cool.
Check out 'I Am Cuba' from 1964 for some extraordinary continuous takes. Scorsese himself is a big admirer and PT Anderson 'quoted' from it in Boogie Nights.
@tenactitans , That's true. However, in the case of Ray Liotta, it was a shock for a few reasons. For one thing, he was not that old. He was only 67. Also, he seemed to be as active as ever when it came to making movies. At the time of his death, Ray Liotta was in the Dominican Republic and was in the process of shooting a movie when he died unexpectedly. In addition, no cause of death was ever revealed. It is possible that Ray Liotta had some health issues but didn't go public about it.
Classic use of a "Steady Cam" for the one take! Also reminds me of going to the old "Latin Casino" in Cherry Hill NJ back in the early 70's!! Not thu the kitchen, but had some "Connections" that got me to the front of the line!!!
Ahh..too bad scene couldnt go a bit longer...one of the best Benny Youngmans jokes...The guy goes to the doctor and the doctor tells him he has cancer and he has 6 months to live...but the guy doesnt have enough money to pay the bill...Doc says thats OK...gives him another 6 months to live...lollol
this scene changed cinema. One could argue this steady stream of a single shot moving from one location to another was a creation of scorsese. This scene made the wonderful effects of Birdman possible
The first ever use of the steadicam was in Rocky, the first ever one built. It was big and clunky and you could hear the sound of it in the background. It was the scene where he walks down the street at the beginning of the film and then when he is sprinting in front of the ship at the end of his training montage.
"My wife asked me where to go for our anniversary somewhere she hasn't been to before I said try the kitchen" lol omg that line from that comedian was top notch in my opinion and no I'm not sexiest.
@norsemustang Henry Hill is the one looking down and then looks and moves to the left at 1:12. Ray Liotta looks over his shoulder as if to see what he's making. I love this classic scene and music!
The TEDtalk is called "Rob Legato: The art of creating awe", its around the 13:16 mark in video. Though I recommend watching the whole presentation, it's very interesting!
Trademans entrance. Now if you were ushered through the main entrance in front of the queue you really DID make it in life (AKA the director of the movie, ironically). Mobsters have some power, but they aren't welcome or respected.
As an editor myself I absolutely LOVE extended one-shot takes like this (and can appreciate being handed an entire scene that I can just drop into a cut of a movie and not have to make any edits). The kitchen walk-through is especially impressive with all of the coordination going on, and you even see Ray Liotta (RIP) apparently accidently bump into a counter and just keep on going. I wonder how many takes it took to get this right?
@@Mazrim420 Wow, 8 whole takes? That must have been aggravating. Thanks for the info. I'd love to see a montage of the different takes and where they screwed up to have to start over each time.
There is another interview with the actual camera man who explains it all better. Basically they did it all once, and realized it needed work. They had to improvise how to make it better on each take pretty much, like putting in a doorman and getting Ray to stop and hand him money and greet random people so that the cameraman could catch up with him and keep the shots wide and show you all the details and not just up close on the actors.@@ZZZGGGLLLAAAHHH
The drum hit on "I'm a Union Delagate". Perfect.
"The king of the one liner" follows it just after as well, always makes me laugh.
That was a roll, signalling the audience that the act was about to start.
commissionergordan LoL did not noticed that.
...and what about those maniured nails"shut up,some details best not to pick about,enjoy the ride😎"
* delegate
I always love it when 90s movies portray the 50s or 60s. They give it such a uniquely colorful and wild-look to it.
Plus the soundtrack
@King Of Cool Yeah. At worst I heard: "Welcome to the 80s" seriously who says that?
And the 70s (for Boogie Nights)
TheGooners11 dying? It’s been dead for a while
This is about the 70’s but I get the point
Yes, the long single cut is amazing and a Scorsese trademark. But that song makes this scene. It's sets the time and place like almost no other song could do. It just so defines that era.
ldmax true my friend
AND THEN HE KISSED MEEEEEEEEEEE
Watch Alfonso Cuaron movies, they have cuts that go beyond 10 minutes
This scene shows Henry at his apex. Introducing Karen to this seductive
Lifestyle. Brilliant Scorcese!
And Karen look beautiful as ever, and that dress hugging her body, yes.
It’s bs Henry never did this it’s made up crap
The power of this scene lies in the steady camera, and the dialogue. By giving us one long shot of Henry and Karen simply walking through this place while Henry talks to the people he's passing by with utmost friendliness and familiarity, it shows us how seamlessly Hill has integrated himself into the mob life. Simply brilliant.
And he had to go through the back door to do it.
He went through the back door because it was the shortcut - not because the Copa was embarrassed to have him enter through the front. The Copa, along with El Morocco, was the place to be if you had money - movie star, mobster, Duke, businessman, show girl - it catered to anyone with money.
Yes, but also, this shot is from not really from Henry's POV -- it's reallyKaren's. To Henry this whole experience is as regular as that Bouncer-type eating a sandwich in the hallway they pass; for Karen, it's her first taste of an exotic, almost celebrity lifestyle where everything is on a first-name basis, and big tips flow casually from one palm to the other as freely as greetings.
I just noticed they had no reason to walk through the kitchen at all other than the shot, the hall they entered from is right next to the hall they enter the main room from. Instead of just continuing straight they went through the whole kitchen
Guys at the next table sending him a bottle of wine to drink and they raise their glasses salute to Herny and Karen.
This scene always reminds me how shitty it is to be a regular guy.
+luvfreedom Yeah but they always have to use the back door
Tony Soprano 550 I’m not a goodfella, just my good old friend from high school runs the club like this one and workers serve me like a I’m Frankie Vale or some king of big shot. When +40 people staying inline waiting to go in, me and my gfs walk trough the kitchen from backdoor.
luvfreedom a schnook
If you look up and see how the real Hendry Hill ended up you'd think very differently. Besides, in today's modern society you can afford to take your girl out to a nice club and get VIP service. Unless you're a dirt cheap Broke-Ass chump, but then you would be below a regular guy.
Just be grateful that you haven't had to endure the painful transition from the high life, to mediocrity. It's a scab that's picked often, and bleeds regularly. Then you remember you're just grateful to be alive. That's what I assume anyway.
My aunt was a waitress at the famous Pepe's pizza in New Haven and a Friday night usually involves a 1hr+ wait time. Me and a girl I was taking out for the first time went there and she had us come through the back thru the kitchen while the line went out the door. Tipping my hat to the chefs and the people I knew there made me feel like Henry Hill in this scene lol
PEPES!!!
I lived in New Haven for a while and a couple yrs my apartment was literally on the other side of the fence from Pepes. The smell was freakin amazing when I’d come home from work
Anthony I have to know did she blow your whistle that night?
I hope your marriage will always be Blessed and Fruitful.
Maybe, but Henry was a snitch & a pathological liar that often-told tales that made him seem far more important than he ever was.
Did you both get soft drinks of choice?
RIP Ray Liotta. This scene will go down on history books.
I still find it shocking to think that Ray Liotta died. He seemed like he was going to go on forever.
@J Ygb, From what I have read and heard, the actual cause of death was never revealed. The only thing I know for certain is that Ray Liotta died in his sleep while in the Dominican Republic. He was there to shoot a movie.
My doctor gave me 6 months to live. I told him I couldn't pay the bill. He gave me another 6 months.
Anthony Vesona underrated comment
What a funny guy
Nick Konstant funny how?
I like you man, don't die yet.
dangerfield
Every time I come here, EVERY TIME, you two. DON'T YOU WORK?!
*Shakes his middle finger, index finger and thumb in disappointment."
The restaurant didn’t allow them to shoot the entrance of the restaurant for publicity purposes of being in a mob movie. Of course Scorsese turned this into one of the greatest scenes of all time by taking this restriction to his advantage. This is what actually happened.
How to Impress a Woman 101
Benjamin Jack Kata Finau this is the finals of senior year
pull out your wallet.
But-but what about personality and kindness?!
No. It's how to impress an immature woman.
@@lorrilewis2178 I wouldnt say that, hes showing off how well known and respected he is by everyone. Most people would be impressed by that to some degree.
Take My Wife, Please!
I ain't arguing with that.
- Johnny Depp
“What do you do?”
“I’m a waste management consultant.”
Everybody immediately assumes you're mobbed up. It's a stereotype. And it's offensive!
My wife said she wanted to go somewhere she'd never been before, I said try the kitchen.
Stefan.J Collins I take my wife everywhere but she always finds her way home!
Hahaha!
Give her 6 months
The Goodfellas tracking shot is the greatest scene ever shot. Martin Scorsese only makes the best films ever made. Guaranteed.
This scene is so famous it has a nickname "the copa"
Haha my grandfather was the captain at the copacobana (the one in the blue suit) it's so awesome seeing it here
Aidan Polemeni really?
This iconic shot was done on the 8th take and the steadicam operator directed Ray Liotta (Henry Hill) to pause every so often to let the camera catch up to him at the bottom of the stairs. This is why Henry stops every so often to tip doormen or to comment to the couple in the corner.
The Fidget Spinner Movie where’d you hear that
@@ObamaFromKenya In an interview with the cameraman.
The Fidget Spinner Movie did you just thumbs up your own comment😳😳🤔🤔
@@ObamaFromKenya If you're asking if I liked what I just wrote, why would I say something if I didn't like it?
I love the Family Guy interpretation of this scene
That walk from car to table (and Mr. Tony) - wow - no cuts (the average :30 Tv commercial has 25-30 edits some 50). Swaggering, cocky Henry never makes a wrong turn, instinctively guides them through turns in the suffocating catacombs of the kitchen, as he's familiarly done a thousand times before... The Crystals such perfect striding music. The employees, so great, too! Magnificent.
A legendary mafia movie and all the actors and actresses put on great performances and a bunch of classic lines
Yeah, I'm gonna say it: Screw you, Dances with Wolves.
Seriously. Dances With Wolves needs to go home and get its fucking shinebox.
You're a funny guy
FifaMobile TomSawyer funny how?
What an absolute iconic, classic scene. One of the best films EVER.
R.I.P. Ray Liotta
this is the best scene ever
romantic scene ever
I take my wife everywhere but she keeps finding her way back home..
Rest in Peace Ray Lotta 🙏 Paul Savino Good Fellas to End
All in one take. Great scene
how romantic
The camera work and the timing make this a fantastic scene. Really a running set of multiple scenes.
Oh man this scene is legendary.
Always loved this scene. The choice of music was perfect
god this such an effective scene. and such a pain in the ASS as a cameraman. dodging all those people while still trying to make it realistic? yikes. but this is easily one of my favorite continuous shots ever. the only rivals in my opinion are the tricycle scene from the shining for its use of sound or the hijacking scene from true detective b/c it is just badass and super professional. but this is probably the best. understated, you get a real sense of the main character. following them down to the basement of the building, you get a feeling that this guy is in 'below the ground level' and part of something the general public just isn't. its not just the framing, but the physical location of the characters that makes this scene effective. very cool.
Andrew Sheppard a lot of the tracking shots in Children of Men wouls make my list. And the one from Raging Bull.
carlito's way
Check out 'I Am Cuba' from 1964 for some extraordinary continuous takes. Scorsese himself is a big admirer and PT Anderson 'quoted' from it in Boogie Nights.
Can believe we lost you, Ray. Rest easy
People die
@tenactitans , That's true. However, in the case of Ray Liotta, it was a shock for a few reasons. For one thing, he was not that old. He was only 67. Also, he seemed to be as active as ever when it came to making movies. At the time of his death, Ray Liotta was in the Dominican Republic and was in the process of shooting a movie when he died unexpectedly. In addition, no cause of death was ever revealed. It is possible that Ray Liotta had some health issues but didn't go public about it.
" take my wife...please!". You'd think Jimmy Conway could have hired Rupert Pupkin to do the stand-up at least!
One of my favorite movies. It was love on the first watching and it still lasts.
Classic use of a "Steady Cam" for the one take! Also reminds me of going to the old "Latin Casino" in Cherry Hill NJ back in the early 70's!! Not thu the kitchen, but had some "Connections" that got me to the front of the line!!!
Ahh..too bad scene couldnt go a bit longer...one of the best Benny Youngmans jokes...The guy goes to the doctor and the doctor tells him he has cancer and he has 6 months to live...but the guy doesnt have enough money to pay the bill...Doc says thats OK...gives him another 6 months to live...lollol
I love how he bought time asking “what?” Then almost cut her off by saying he’s in construction. Great movie.
Love this scene. Love this song 💋
You gave them 20$ each... its alright.
Damn henry was literally giving away money
this scene changed cinema. One could argue this steady stream of a single shot moving from one location to another was a creation of scorsese. This scene made the wonderful effects of Birdman possible
The first ever use of the steadicam was in Rocky, the first ever one built. It was big and clunky and you could hear the sound of it in the background. It was the scene where he walks down the street at the beginning of the film and then when he is sprinting in front of the ship at the end of his training montage.
I like coming in this way, no line. (Classic Liotta laugh)
Scene's simply beautiful
RIP Henry Hill. The coolest "rat" there ever was. BTW - Who would ever "dislike" this clip?
I had our Videographer Film us being Introduced at our wedding while this song Played and we walked the room. It went down a Storm
This was a real life mob hangout back in the days! Real popular with mob guys
He watches the car for me....
One take.
Incredible.
"My wife asked me where to go for our anniversary somewhere she hasn't been to before I said try the kitchen" lol omg that line from that comedian was top notch in my opinion and no I'm not sexiest.
I'm offended and I find that women.
azu111 I'll be straight with u I don't know how to respond to ur comment it's a little funny in my opinion.
Loyalguardian6000 I think his comment was a joke, making fun of over-sensitive women.
SoleMan117 ok I get now lol thx for explaining.
Only Martin Scorsese that can direct that crowd.
I Love how Henry walked in like he owned the place.
11 people got pinched
They were told to get their shoebox
Great scene...Lorraine Bracco was wearing the hell out of that dress as well. The comments here are fantastic!
RIP Copacabanna. Another Covid victim of 2020.
@norsemustang Henry Hill is the one looking down and then looks and moves to the left at 1:12. Ray Liotta looks over his shoulder as if to see what he's making. I love this classic scene and music!
The TEDtalk is called "Rob Legato: The art of creating awe", its around the 13:16 mark in video. Though I recommend watching the whole presentation, it's very interesting!
The Director proved his greatness here.
My favorite scene….fantastic...
Those were the days. Before Rico, Giuliani, Gotti, Little Vic, Gaspipe, and the 3rd Columbo war.
He tipped like 6 guys, remember it's not who you are in life it's who you KNOW!
ALL-TIME FAVORITE SCENE.... THAT'S PULL....I LOVE IT....
Best scene in the movie. Continuous camera shot from one angle as they stroll through...
I love how they made something that is just mentioned in passing one of the most memorable things in the whole film
Trademans entrance. Now if you were ushered through the main entrance in front of the queue you really DID make it in life (AKA the director of the movie, ironically). Mobsters have some power, but they aren't welcome or respected.
One of the best gangster movies ever in top 5 movies ever released from Hollywood
Doctor gave him 6 months to live. Guy couldn’t pay his bill. Gave him another 6 months
Every time I come here! Every time, you two!
RIP Ray Liotta
As an editor myself I absolutely LOVE extended one-shot takes like this (and can appreciate being handed an entire scene that I can just drop into a cut of a movie and not have to make any edits). The kitchen walk-through is especially impressive with all of the coordination going on, and you even see Ray Liotta (RIP) apparently accidently bump into a counter and just keep on going. I wonder how many takes it took to get this right?
In the behind closed doors goodfellas interviews on Reelz, Scorsese said this scene took 8 takes.
@@Mazrim420 Wow, 8 whole takes? That must have been aggravating. Thanks for the info. I'd love to see a montage of the different takes and where they screwed up to have to start over each time.
There is another interview with the actual camera man who explains it all better. Basically they did it all once, and realized it needed work. They had to improvise how to make it better on each take pretty much, like putting in a doorman and getting Ray to stop and hand him money and greet random people so that the cameraman could catch up with him and keep the shots wide and show you all the details and not just up close on the actors.@@ZZZGGGLLLAAAHHH
I think this and the "funny" scene might be two of the best scenes ever made for movies ever.
No one dresses up anymore to go out...!
She did the least acting of pretty much anyone in this scene but totally nailed it. Less was definitely so much more in this instance.
And then he kissed me by The Crystals
Pretty impressive how they glided on into the most swankiest place right up front without waiting in line.
Comes in the back way but ends up on top, pretty much how he lived his whole life in the film.
construction dude gets seat front row knows everyone in front row and free wine...
LOL
Strictly on a technical level, this is the best scene in the film.
Goodfellas is one of my favorite gangster films ever 😃
What a brilliant scene ! What a brillaiant movie !
Without any doubt, a masterpiece.
Gr from France
That was one perfect seamless shot. Probably a nightmare to shoot
Im in Construction. Im a Union Delegate LOL
Love this scene.
“Build it and he will come”
Build what?
“The Copacabana”
This is me when I walked to school,lunch, and passing period
Can not wait to see this club in The Irishman later this year! On a JRE with Sebastian, he said they used the Gotham Comedy club in NYC as Copa.
Rip Ray Liota. Salud...
Gino’s sandwich looks good
can't believe this masterpiece lost to Dances with wolves in the Oscars
that tells me Oscars are shit
the red entrance stands for the devils seduction,the kitchen stands for the crooked road crooks take,
So glad Henny made the cut!
I'm a union delegate, ( I don't get my hands dirty, and I'm also in with the management).
when one scene is better than half the 2018 oscar nominees lmao.
Scene always brings a smile to my face
A true masterpiece of film
@kriskakani It's called "Then He Kissed Me" performed by the Crystals.
A fabulous scene
Just love this movie. This and gladiator are my favs
'this is from Mr. tony overthere': 'Tony? which Tony? They are all called Tony'
Take my wife please!
Amazing delivery and a hilarious way to finish a top scene.
The best movie very very goood ...it is school for life