Best movie prologue

[celedhring]

So, was discussing the upcoming Odissey movie with a friend, and whether they would adapt all the bits in the beginning with several characters recounting the Illiad into some kind of prologue, ala LOTR. From there, we drifted into discussing our favorite movie prologues.

And since it's been a while since my last movie poll, here I am!

By movie prologue, I mean any scene at the beginning of a movie that gives exposition explaining the past events leading up to the narrative you're about to see, or sets up the world, the theme, etc... The prologue of Fellowship of the Ring is the perfect example. It doesn't need to be a full fledged scene or montage - text or voiceover count if they are memorable (Star Wars or Conan come to mind).

Again, the field is very large, so feel free to go beyond the ones I listed and take this as a way to discuss your favorite ones.

I'm not going to be too hipster here: the Star Wars crawl, the Galadriel prologue and Up's opening montage still give me goosebumps.

[frunk]

Up's opening montage is one of the greatest short films ever made, but I also voted for 2001 and The Big Lebowski.

[Tonitrus]

I suppose it is sometimes hard to distinguish an opening "prologue" with what would be more said to be just the start of the film.

Would something like Wargames up until "Turn your key sir!" count?