Stairs and Steps on the Silver Screen

Think of the great movies of our times and chances are stairs have played a prominent role at some point in the film. Whether they are the backdrop to a classic scene or a live prop in the scene itself, these films just wouldn't be the same without them.

Here are the three most famous uses of stairs that you will find on the silver screen. Who can forget the unforgettable role they have played in these movies?

1. Harry Potter

Harry's unhappy residence at the Durleys' is symbolised by the fact that he is subject to living in the cupboard under the stairs. Here, the stairs (or rather the cupboard they create) are complicit in the evil that Harry Potter is subjected to whilst he lives in the Durleys' home.

Harry is woken and disturbed each morning by the thud of his family members coming down the stairs of the house. Fortunately for Harry, the Durleys move him to a proper bedroom at the end of the first book.

2. Rocky

The steps (or stairs) of the Philadelphia Museum of Art were immortalised in the Rocky film series. They have become known as the 'Rocky Steps' after the iconic scene where Rocky climbs the steps as part of his training.

The scene is a metaphor for the triumph of the underdog in the face of adversity. There is now a bronze statue of the Rocky character near the steps, providing an excellent photo opportunity for tourists looking to follow in the footsteps of their hero.

3. Titanic

Lastly, but not least, we should mention the stairs featured in the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster. The Grand Staircase of the Titanic existed on the real Titanic. It was the staircase that served as the first class entrance on Titanic.

The staircase became the focal point of the Titanic film. It is used to bookmark the beginning and end of the film. One only has to look at a picture of this staircase, or see the replica on the film, to see that it was one of the most luxurious set of stairs ever built.

These are the three most famous uses of stairs and steps on the similar screen. There are others and one can be almost certain that stairs will continue to play a prominent role in the films of the future. Stairs really are the true stars of the silver screen.