Movies have a way of capturing our attention and drawing us into the story being told. However, some of the most memorable moments in film history are not always scripted. The art of improvisation has been used in movies for decades, with actors and directors finding ways to create unforgettable moments that were never planned. Here are some of the best improvised moments in movie history.
Chris Fujiwara/ AP | Set in New York City, Midnight Cowboy depicts the unlikely friendship between two hustlers
"I'm walking here!" - Midnight Cowboy (1969)
In one of the most famous scenes in "Midnight Cowboy," Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman are walking through a crowded New York City street when a taxi nearly hits them. Hoffman, in character as Ratso Rizzo, slams his hand on the hood of the car and yells, "Hey, I'm walking here!" The line was improvised by Hoffman, who reacted in character to the unexpected interruption.
"You can't handle the truth!" - A Few Good Men (1992)
In "A Few Good Men," Jack Nicholson's character Colonel Nathan R. Jessup is questioned by Tom Cruise's character, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee. In one of the most memorable moments in the film, Nicholson delivers the line, "You can't handle the truth!"
"I know" - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
One of the most emotional scenes in the "Star Wars" franchise showcases how Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) tells Han Solo (Harrison Ford), "I love you." Solo's response, "I know," was not in the original script but instead an improvised line by Ford. The line has since become one of the most famous in movie history.
Carolina Theatre/ Shutterstock | The world premiere of The Empire Strikes Back was held on May 17, 1980
"Keep the change, ya filthy animal" - Home Alone (1990)
In "Home Alone," Macaulay Culkin's character, Kevin McCallister, watches a fictional gangster movie called "Angels with Filthy Souls." In the movie within movie, a gangster says the line, "Keep the change, ya filthy animal." The line was not from a movie but was created specifically for Home Alone.
"Adrian!" - Rocky (1976)
Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky" is a classic underdog story, and one of the most emotional moments in the film is when Rocky reaches the top of the steps and calls out, "Adrian!" The line was not in the original script but an improvised moment by Stallone on the spot. The moment has since become one of the most memorable in movie history.
"I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is" - Forrest Gump (1994)
Tom Hanks' portrayal of Forrest Gump is filled with memorable lines, but one of the most touching is when he says, "I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is." The line was not in the original script but an improvised moment by Hanks during filming.
Wikimedia/ Poster from movie | Forrest Gump has made over $683 million worldwide
"You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve?" - To Have and Have Not (1944)
In the classic film "To Have and Have Not," Lauren Bacall's character, Marie "Slim" Browning, delivers the famous line, "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow." The line was not in the original script and was suggested by Bacall to director Howard Hawks instead. The moment has since become one of the most iconic in the film, and Bacall's sultry delivery has become a classic example of film noir dialogue.
"I'll be back" - The Terminator (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance as the Terminator is filled with memorable lines, but perhaps none more so than when he delivers the iconic line "I'll be back" before driving a car through a police station. The line was not in the original script but an improvised moment by Schwarzenegger on set. The moment has since become one of the most quoted lines from the film and has become a staple of Schwarzenegger's career.
