The Abyss (1989) - 'Bud on a Ledge' scene [1080]

Before director James Cameron gave us Terminator 2 and Titanic, he was developing his water and special effects skills with this great underwater sci-fi film. Ala Silvestri provided much of the necessary sense of awe, and this scene is where his music shines the most. After it's theatrical release, Cameron went back and added nearly half an hour of extra footage, including a significantly different ending, but this scene as presented here is identical in both versions.

Starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn and Chris Elliot. Written and directed by James Cameron, with original score by Alan Silvestri

[krboswell]

This is such an underrated movie. It's been one of my favorites since I saw it as a child.

[wnmovietalk]

What an awesome movie, and such a challenging production. Cameron certainly goes above and beyond to create fantastic cinema. His earlier work still holds up today.

[Locadel]

The soundtruck made the movie even better. Is a beautiful movie. Also the special effects are excellent

[PJVids]

This and the scene where Bud revives Lindsey are among the best things Cameron has ever put on film.

[guillermovaccarezza]

Man this scene.... it's mind blowing. The soundtrack is so epic, so on key with the reveal moment. It's fucking breathtaking, would have loved to watch this on the big screen, but I was a kid didn't even know this movie till years later.

[warbossgrotsmasha]

even though the aliens have no name in the movie i like to call them sea angels because they're so beautiful

[DeathSierra]

The way she reaches out to him, as if saying “Come along, all is well now, you have nothing to fear.” it’s so wholesome, makes me cry every time….

[Joey-dbbv]

One of the most beautiful aliens ever created.

[jairfernandosotolopez]

I love this scene, the music, the angel saves Bud, s life, ,, the effects ... Wonderful

[FailcopterWes]

It's been a while since I've seen the film, but as I remember this is the first time we actually get a close look at one of the aliens, not just it whizzing by or in the distance. With that in mind, the transition from the ethereal to the familiar is really interesting. We see the alien reflected in Bud's visor, distant and unknown but definitely visually incredible. But then instead of a zoom in or dramatic swing around, we cut straight to something familar. A head and an arm, looking at this person before them and trying to decide what to do. In that moment the aliens become familiar to us. We begin to recognise things about them and despite us still knowing very little about them they don't seem as mysterious anymore.

And then it offers a helping hand, because it's not only intelligent and sentient, but a good person. Great scene, great music.

Also, just a great detail that there's other aliens wandering around the ship. Just makes it seem less like a set piece and more like somewhere they actually live.

[jim]

The most beautiful and touching scene I’ve ever scene in motion picture history. Ranks up there with E.T.

[stuartgage]

I wish I could go back and watch this again for the first time, this scene just blew me away

[DarkAnomaly]

This scene has so many feels it's hard to put it into words.

[laurentlanglais]

Seeing this during the re-release in Imax was one of my biggest emotion in cinema. And since I've became a diver and love it even more. Silvestri's score is magnificent. What a trip. Thank you.

[dylanmorgan]

Some say Avatar is a groundbreaking movie.... but to me THIS IS GROUNDBREAKING!! 1989!! CGI was totally in its infancy... virtually no movies before this had incorporated it. People must of been blown away seeing this for the first time... literally paved the way for the next 30 years of film. After this we got movies like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Independence Day ect that perfected CGI... but it all truly started with the abyss

[janesgems]

The most moving part...when the aliens more or less changed their minds on whether humanity deserved to be wiped out. Because Bud was willing to die for them.

[johnmccullough]

The way he sitting on the edge all alone feels like my love life😣

[jonathanbacas]

1989 movie. we had this recorded in our BETAMAX player SONY with an L-500 beta tape. Watched this 100x it was so amazing movie. Love the move, had a love story in it.

[SquirrelTheater]

This movie should have swept the Oscars!

[barokwork]

This movie is pure beauty, pure poésie