The Saddest Movie in the World

What movies make you cry? When I saw The Champ during its initial theater run, I did not expect to cry, but I did, and so did everyone in the audience. Watching 9-year-old Ricky Schroeder begging his father not to die was just too much. When researchers Robert Levenson and James Gross began looking for a trigger that would ethically induce sadness in volunteer test subjects, they searched for the most sure-fire tear-jerking film ever. It took years, but they found The Champ.
In 1995, Gross and Levenson published the results of their test screenings. They came up with a list of 16 short film clips able to elicit a single emotion, such as anger, fear or surprise. Their recommendation for inducing disgust was a short film showing an amputation. Their top-rated film clip for amusement was the fake orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally. And then there’s the two-minute, 51-second clip of Schroder weeping over his father’s dead body in The Champ, which Levenson and Gross found produced more sadness in laboratory subjects than the death of Bambi’s mom.

“I still feel sad when I see that boy crying his heart out,” Gross says.

Cue the argument for Old Yeller. Excuse me, I think I need a handkerchief. Link -via Metafilter

Link to the specific scene from The Champ.

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

Wit. Directed by Mike Nichols, Starring Emma Thompson. Woman is dying of cancer: that's the whole plot. And it's not sad! Until... until... one scene that I can't even think about without getting a lump in my throat, when the old teacher comes to visit. It's so freaking sad, you might pass out.

No kidding, rent it.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Old Yeller definitely did it for me, never saw Champ though. Perhaps one of the worst marketing decisions of all time? Disney's Old Yeller dog food. Yes, that's right, dog food. According to dogfoodadvisor.com, it's possible that some of the low quality rendered proteins or fats could come from euthanized pets. Yes, you heard me, Old Yeller dog food, now with extra Yeller. Now that's the saddest thing I've ever heard.

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/old-yeller-dog-food/
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
If we add documentaries into the category "Dear Zachary" would be the clear winner.

If you haven't seen it, don't read the wiki first(too many spoilers), and be prepared to cry like you have never cried before.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"The Saddest Movie in the World"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More