The Irishman, Martin Scorsese’s latest gangland epic, is a somber and morose journey through the life of Bufalino hitman Frank Sheeran. Based on the real Sheeran’s biography “I Heard You Paint Houses,” the film is a measured departure from Scorsese’s past filmography and the genre he helped revolutionize; the mob movie to end all mob movies, The Irishman is a masterful exploration of tragedy and the gravity of regret. Mild spoilers ahead…

The tracking shot. The long take. Whatever you decide to call it, no other cinematic device tests the prowess of a film director like a long scene uninterrupted by any cuts. Directors love the tracking shot because a beautiful long take proves more than anything that they know what they're doing: dialogue must be timed perfectly, camera operators must be on point, action choreography must hit their marks, and no mistakes can be made. The longer the shot, the harder it is to film. So, in my humble opinion, here are the five greatest tracking shots of all time...