I don’t get some of these. I wish there was a little more annoted context, because I am still not sure how some of these can be totally unscripted, it seems pretty planned….so what did they tell them to do instead if not “just wing it”? Like Harrison Fords “I know” Or Casablancas “here’s looking at you kid”. Did they just do a tight shot on them without any planned line? Some of these I have trouble seeing what they were supposed to do instead, if anything.

It’s no surprise that most of the best lines’ in these movies were improvised. The best stuff comes out when you don’t think about it.

I usually don’t like stupid lists like this but this is a pretty decent one. a) The Gunnery SGT Hartman scene in full metal jacket is probably the greatest improvised scene in the history of film. Love that guy (R Lee Ermey)
b) Much of caddy shack was improvised. GREAT GREAT movie.
c) game over man!!! game over!!!!!!!

Great compilation, but line readings are not improvisations.

Can’t believe that the gun scene from Raiders Of The Lost Ark wasn’t included, let alone wasn’t #1.  The only reasons I can think for it not being there is that it was either too well-known or if the claim is that it wasn’t a total ad-lib. While Ford/Spielberg (there’s debate over whose idea it was, but Ford seems to be the most common story, even according to Spielberg in an 1981 interview.) talked about it and decided to do it, it wasn’t in the actual script.

For someone who has a reputation as a control freak, Stanley Kubrick — represented FOUR times here (Clockwork Orange; The Shining; Full Metal Jacket; Dr. Strangelove) — clearly was open to letting his actors improvise. This list was designed to give “auteur” theorists nightmares. Again and again, we see how the actor is actually another writer/creator/collaborator in the process.

Sources please. Some of these just couldn’t be improv.

Ah…that Bladerunner ending makes me cry every time

#22 is from Knocked Up, but they’re referencing their bit from 40 Year Old Virgin. #1 is particularly great because rumor has it that, when the take was over, Kubrick had to ask R. Lee Ermey what a reach around was.

Lotsa win here…

It is actually 40 yr old virgin.

Matt Damon’s part in Saving Private Ryan is one of my all time favorites. The Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen scene is Knocked Up, not 40 Year Old Virgin.

Sadly missing the line “its true this man has no dick” from Ghostbusters. The edit afterwords is really awkward because the entire cast and crew exploded with laughter.