The Walk Of Life Project, Revisited

February 9, 2022 11:48 PM

From oulipian in 2016:
The Walk of Life Project. Hypothesis: “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits is the perfect song to end any movie. (via Paleofuture)
A number of Edgar Wright movies were added in 2018, but since then it has been waiting quietly for updates.
posted by Going To Maine (17 comments total)

Holy shit the 2001 ending. Here comes Johnny, indeed.
posted by a car full of lions at 12:35 AM on February 10, 2022 [4 favorites]

The Scott Pilgrim one is absolutely perfect. The Matrix is pretty good too.

Too many of them violate the law that you need to cut to the wide shot and/or credits just as the main drum beat hits. The Jurassic Park one gets this right.
posted by grahamparks at 2:36 AM on February 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

I see your Walk of Life and raise you The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Schindler's List and Amadeus.
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:19 AM on February 10, 2022

Proof that Americans will add cheese to absolutely anything.
posted by Lanark at 3:51 AM on February 10, 2022 [7 favorites]

Let's do Taxi Driver.
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:10 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

This whole project is wonderful. I really love how the internet enables stuff like this: a talented person has a funny idea and creates a whole little mini universe just for fun.

Related but unrelated: the alternate version of the "Walk of Life" video with 80s sports bloopers was a childhood highlight.
posted by AgentRocket at 6:13 AM on February 10, 2022 [4 favorites]

Too many of them violate the law that you need to cut to the wide shot and/or credits just as the main drum beat hits. The Jurassic Park one gets this right.

Planet of the Apes nails it.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:46 AM on February 10, 2022 [2 favorites]

Lost in Translation is pretty good too.
posted by AndrewInDC at 7:48 AM on February 10, 2022

Hahaha, thanks for resuscitating my post! I love the simplicity of projects like WOLP – just a good idea taken for a walk.

He desperately needs to add Portrait of a Lady on Fire... I tried playing the ending muted, with Walk of Life playing in a second tab, and Adele Haenel experiencing unspeakable waves of emotion set to Knopfler's goofy land-shanty is incredible.
posted by oulipian at 7:48 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Hypothesis: “Walk of Life” yt by Dire Straits is the perfect song to end any movie.

As a pub DJ in the 1980s who had to play Walk Of Life every fucking night or else get threats, I reject this hypothesis. It's only perfect for transgressive movies where evil triumphs, the bad guy gets away it.
posted by philip-random at 7:58 AM on February 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

so yes, the Zodiac one works a charm.
posted by philip-random at 8:06 AM on February 10, 2022

I mean, no, this doesn't work at all, and as a comment earlier mentioned, it's not even timed properly.

Is that the joke?
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:26 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

I feel like this wouldn’t fit with Salò
posted by leotrotsky at 8:38 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

Return of the King with 'walk of life' synched to each of its, what, 4-5 endings would be a thing of beauty. By the time Frodo sails to the Undying Lands there wouldn't an un-split side or an aisle un-rolled in.
posted by logicpunk at 9:37 AM on February 10, 2022 [4 favorites]

This is pretty entertaining. Also, God, I miss Dire Straits.
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 11:33 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

I see your Walk of Life and raise you The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Schindler's List and Amadeus.

Amadeus would be a beaut, with Salieri rolling down the hall in his wheelchair. I saw it working with Heathers in similar fashion.
posted by dlugoczaj at 11:42 AM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

I love the Mad Max one.

I can’t get over how much I love Dire Straits. What is it about Mark Knopfler’s voice? Such understated swagger.
posted by iamkimiam at 3:19 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]