My Life as a Blog: Why Don't Movies Finish with "The End" Anymore?

by Reid Rosefelt | Published March 30, 2010

Last night I was at a party and I glanced at the TV, playing at the other end of the room: There was the montage of old end credits, one “The End” after another. I don’t know if it was a commercial or something else. But it got me thinking. All old movies used to end with a title card that said “The End,” and now they end by telling you the names of the grips and gaffers and who did the craft service. I don’t know how you feel about it, but I miss “The End.” And it got me thinking about when and why moviemakers stopped using it. Somebody had to be the first one, right? Maybe it took a while before it got to common usage, but it had to start somewhere.

The first thing that came to my head was some studio exec or producer deciding it was stupid. “Hey buddy, the curtain’s closed, the lights are up and the ushers are sweeping up the popcorn. What do you think this is, the Macy’s Parade? Go home!” Whoever got rid of “The End” was probably a philistine who didn’t appreciate the poetry of “The End.”

When I got home, I did some Googling and I found out the answer wasn’t very interesting. The turnover happened in the 1970s, when certain directors decided it would be better to start their movies with minimal or no credits and put the rest at the end. One reason might have been the increase in power of the unions, which meant that the credits got longer and longer, but largely it was an aesthetic decision by the moviemakers to get the movie going quickly or immediately, for example, the openings of Manhattan and Apocalypse Now. George Lucas was fined by the DGA for putting director Irvin Kershner’s credit (and everybody else’s) at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, and quit the Directors Guild and the Writers Guild soon after.

Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see end sequences that are as amazing as the greatest opening credits sequences. The one for Wall-E comes immediately to mind. On the other hand, the logos for TV production companies that make up the last few seconds of most TV shows are usually annoying.

Most people would probably laugh if they saw “The End” on a Hollywood movie these days, even if all the characters are dead and there is a “Final” or “Last” in the title.

But there are lots of reasons why “The End” should be taken out of mothballs. I would appreciate it if some “The End” music would come on after an endless stream of TV commercials—signaling you need to finish making that peanut butter and jelly sandwich pronto as “Lost” is coming back on. Even if you were on the couch, it would be a reward for getting through that Shoedini commercial for the hundredth time. Some might find it in poor taste, but it would be a totally cinematic way of doing the “Tribute to Departed Stars” segment at the Oscars. There is potential for the digital age. How about a nice “The End” when you finish an eBook or make it through all the levels of a video game?

But I’m realistic. It’s unlikely that anybody is going to start up “The End” again. I miss it. Thank god for Netflix.

Reid Rosefelt is a veteran film publicist based in New York City. He has promoted hundreds of films, for such diverse moviemakers as Jim Jarmusch, Pedro Almodóvar, Errol Morris, Ang Lee and Werner Herzog. His personal clients have included The Sundance Institute, IFC and HBO Films, as well as Harvey Keitel, Ally Sheedy and the late Adrienne Shelly. His production publicity credits include Desperately Seeking Susan, The Godfather: Part III and, most recently, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. His blog can be found at http://my-life-as-a-blog.com/.

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Comment by Club Penguin on 3/30/10 at 12:45 pm

I still remember how Tom and Jerry had “The End” at the end of every episode. Movies nowadays are perhaps more *modern*.

Comment by Rose on 4/05/10 at 11:40 am

A lot of the times movies continue on with what happened to the characters (after the end)...whether by photo montage...or continued film clips, or even bloopers. So while The End would be a nice vintage touch...it wouldn’t work with a lot of movies.

Comment by StewartB on 4/07/10 at 4:53 pm

I think it’s because most movies are played in sequel nowadays. Sometimes, movies give you a hanging question at the end of the story. In short, you do the ending of the movie. It’s just like choose your own adventure.

Comment by Mitch on 4/08/10 at 9:56 am

For me the endless credits at the end of many films nowadays are a waste of time - bring back the simple end - its so final! and will stop people cluttering up the cinema steps while I try to get out first! as the credits roll.

Comment by Loves Dance on 4/19/10 at 6:00 pm

LOL movies can’t end anymore. How would they set up the sequel, then the video game, of course the tv show, and finally that crazy spin off… :)

Comment by Totes Handbags on 4/26/10 at 6:56 pm

The other night I was watching an old mexican movie, you have the credits at the beggining and the word “Fin” at the end. It seems so old, but, I don’t know, maybe if a movie open and closes that way if would be so classic, hehe.

Comment by rain boots on 5/03/10 at 5:53 pm

Movies don’t finish to end cause most movies now have sequel. As a matter of fact, stars from the first movie are also the stars for the next movie sequel. That’s the reason why this kind of movie don’t have a tragic ending.

Comment by buy movies dvd on 6/03/10 at 8:38 pm

I thinks that the movie makers thinks that audience have matured enough to shut down the TV or change channel when the movie channel shows the Ads after showing last scene from movie and before showing the movie credits.

Comment by Square Peg Web on 6/29/10 at 3:54 am

You know “THE END”,which was directed by Burt Reynolds,who also stars in it,is like being with good friends at a party where nothing goes right.The food doesn’t arrive.The ice runs out.

Comment by usa vital records on 8/02/10 at 9:34 am

I think everything is more sequel-orientated nowadays, so maybe using “The End” wouldn’t be all that believable because you just know a sequel is going to roll along someday. I can’t really think of any films from the 40’s or 50’s that were made into a series, but then again, I’m not sure.

Comment by Free2Watch High Quality Movies Online on 9/17/10 at 3:57 pm

movies and cartoons are not what they were a few years ago. this modern technology for making cartoons or movies are too superficial in my oppionion.

Old movies and old cartoons are being really missed.

Comment by inspirational movies on 11/21/10 at 11:19 am

ha that’s something I’ve wondered too. It’s interesting to see actually that even in this movie world there is this on-going trend like it is in arts where all people start doing the same style of paintings…

Comment by Deb Van on 11/22/10 at 8:59 pm

I think having “The End” is always a classic touch. But that’s probably why we don’t see it anymore.
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Comment by free movies hub on 12/21/10 at 12:32 pm

I guess that’s to engross viewer

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Comment by cyberdefender on 2/01/11 at 2:14 pm

I’m a sucker, I guess. I still like it at the end of movies. And books too. And video games. Maybe because I have small kids at home?

Comment by Betty @ Wholesale Handbags on 2/23/11 at 1:57 am

It makes perfect sense for movies to remove them. For me, it depends on the movie. There are movies that are better off without it and there are some that really needs it.

Comment by دردشة كازنوفا on 3/10/11 at 4:08 pm

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Comment by Administratie Uitbesteden on 3/13/11 at 7:08 am

Thank you for sharing. I always liked the “the end” text. It’s interesting to read that the turnover whas in 1970s.

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