Line #83 Main/BalconySpeech


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Film/YouNaztySpy https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/three_stooges_natzy_spy_moment.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:For ApatheticCitizens, the sign really helps.]]
3
4	->''"Instead of government, we had a stage\
5	Instead of ideas, a prima donna’s rage\
6	Instead of help, we were given a crowd\
7	She didn’t say much but she said it loud!"''
8	-->-- '''Che''', ''Theatre/{{Evita}}'', "Oh What a Circus"
9
10	In order to both display a mastery over the crowd and [[ImpossiblyMundaneExplanation to better project one’s voice]], leaders often give speeches on some type of raised platform. A special favorite is a prominent balcony from a palace or mansion. In media, such speeches can be portrayed positively or negatively, depending on the speaker.
11
12	If it’s a [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure popular monarch or head of state]], then they are likely trying to encourage their people during a time of great danger or struggle or [[AndThereWasMuchRejoicing declaring victory]] after the EvilOverlord’s attempt at conquest was thwarted. If it’s an ActionPolitician, then it is especially likely that they are giving a RousingSpeech. If TheHeroDies [[HeroicSacrifice bravely in battle]], then this may also serve as [[InMemoriam a eulogy]].
13
14	However, if the leader is [[RabbleRouser demagogue]], then expect this to be a case of PuttingOnTheReich with plenty of HitlerCam shots. The crowds will be likely be [[PowderKegCrowd whipped up into a frenzy]], and if it’s a musical it may turn into an AngryMobSong. In the case of [[TheBadGuyWins villain victory]], then this will likely be a NewEraSpeech. But if it’s a more established PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny, the crowd may look pathetic and disinterested and only [[HappinessIsMandatory give weak, obligatory cheers]]. In this case or in the case of a NearVillainVictory, expect TheHero and his crew to stage a very appropriate interruption of the events.
15
16	Compare with RousingSpeech and RabbleRouser. See also EmergencyPresidentialAddress.
17	----
18	!!Examples:
19	[[foldercontrol]]
20
21	[[folder: Anime/Manga]]
22	* ''Anime/{{Gankutsuou}}'': General Morcerf does this during a military coup; definitely a PuttingOnTheReich version.
23	* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
24	** Shortly after Luffy is given his first bounty, we see Vice-Admiral John Giant giving one of these to an assortment of marines, about how they must wipe out any pirate- [[ForGreatJustice IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE!!]]
25	** At the end of the Alabasta arc, Vivi gives her coming-of-age speech to the people of Alabasta from the balcony of the royal palace. However, she sneaks out partway through to say goodbye to the Straw Hats.
26	* Gaara, from ''Manga/{{Naruto}} Shippuden'', gives his RousingSpeech Allied Shinobi Forces from a balcony.
27	* ''Manga/MotherKeeper'': Graham gives one to the members of Chaos Tide in order to have them join forces with Cosmos (and presumably the cocytus) to take down Eden once and for all.
28	[[/folder]]
29
30	[[folder: ComicBooks]]
31	* King Smurf in ''ComicBook/TheSmurfs'' comic book story of the same name (and its AnimatedAdaptation) delivers one from the balcony of his newly-finished royal palace, thanking his "loyal" subjects for its completion. However, only one Smurf remains standing to give applause to the speech, saying "Long live King Smurf".
32	* The French comic ''Robin Dubois" (a Myth/RobinHood spoof) has the sheriff's wife run out of eggs and tomatoes (and seeing as she was planning to make a tomato omelette...). The sheriff goes to the balcony and asks the village at large for their opinion on a new income tax. [[ProducePelting He manages to save two eggs, and suggests tomato sauce will do fine]].
33	[[/folder]]
34
35	[[folder: Fan Works]]
36	* In the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fanfic ''The First Tile,'' Monarch Kalidon of the Trill (the position should have been only symbolic, but that turns out not to be the case) calls one of these after a brief civil war on the planet using it to not only denounce his father's policies, and declare some badly needed reform, but to reinstate the unfairly ousted Prime Minister Kareel Odan.
37	* Gihren Zabi gives one in the fourth chapter of ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5767287/4/Mobile-Suit-Gundam-Alpha Mobile Suit Gundam Alpha]]'', about the inner superiority of Zeon. His wife didn't seem to like it.
38
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
42	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'': The Sultan, when announcing the wedding of Jasmine and "Prince Ali". Al is then pushed out into the balcony and in front of the cheering crowd, for extra embarrassment.
43	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'':
44	** While not a balcony in the strictest sense, Simba is presented to the entire animal kingdom in such a manner.
45	** Scar gives one to the hyenas, encouraging them to join him in [[TheCoup overthrowing Mufasa]].
46	* ''WesternAnimation/Shrek1'': Lord Farquaad is a fan of this. [[TheNapoleon Possibly because no one could see him at all if he weren't elevated so far over everyone's heads…]]
47	* ''WesternAnimation/JosephKingOfDreams'': Pharaoh announces Joseph's promotion from imprisoned slave boy to the second-most-powerful man in the world from a balcony.
48	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Minions}}'', one of the eponymous characters is crowned King of England and gives [[TheUnintelligible a nonsensical speech]] like this.
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
52	* ''Film/Baahubali2TheConclusion'': Queen Mother Sivagami announces the death of Amarendra, and names his newborn son Mahendra as the new king.
53	* ''Film/{{Bananas}}'': Has such a scene.
54	* ''Film/TheBeauticianAndTheBeast'': Used as a parody of ''Music/{{Evita}}''
55	* ''Film/TheExpendables'': General Garza, when speaking to his soldiers.
56	* ''Film/TheGreatDictator'': The "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbn-GjL6WLA Look up, Hannah]]", with Creator/CharlieChaplin laying a brick bat not just on Naziism but nationalism itself.
57	* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings''
58	** In '[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers The Two Towers]]'', Saruman makes such a speech from Orthanc to his army before they march for Helm's Deep.
59	** Denethor in ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing The Return of the King]]'' subverts this, telling the Gondorian army to flee for their lives when Sauron's army is at the gates of Minas Tirith. (Not so much from a balcony as over the top of the highest level of the city, but it serves the same purpose.)
60	* ''Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian'':
61	** The trope is played with in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QereR0CViMY "You are all individuals" scene]]. He speaks to the people he wants not to follow him from his window.
62	** Pontius Pilate pays it straight [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlADJpNtS_s when he addresses the people of Jerusalem]].
63	* ''Film/MoonOverParador'': Features an example of this.
64	* ''Film/ThePrincessBride'': Prince Humperdink announces Buttercup as his bride-to-be from a balcony.
65	* ''Literature/QuoVadis'': Nero watches the Imperial Troops march from his balcony and exchange salutes.
66	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
67	** ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': While it doesn't take place on a balcony, [[MagnificentBastard Palpatine's]] speech to the Senate announcing the rise of TheEmpire serves the same function.
68	** General Hux does this from a podium in ''Film/TheForceAwakens,'' as part of the intentional [[ANaziByAnyOtherName First Order/Nazi visual parallel]].
69	* ''Film/TheWall'': Pink's opening speech in the "In the Flesh?" segment qualifies in pretty much every sense of this trope.
70	* ''Film/TheThreeStooges'': The classic short ''Film/YouNaztySpy!'' satirizes Hitler's and Mussolini's use of it.
71	* ''Film/TheHungerGamesCatchingFire'': This is President Snow's preferred approach to public appearances.
72	* ''Film/{{Water 1985}}''. The Cascaran Liberation Front (all two of them) try singing to the masses to make them turn away from signing up with American oil company Spenco. No-one pays much attention until an American executive, annoyed at their bad singing, offers a hundred bucks to anyone who nails them. An attempt to escape from the balcony by [[LandInTheSaddle jumping onto a pair of bicycles]] [[GroinAttack doesn't end well]].
73	* In ''Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossThe8thDimension'', John Lithgow, portraying Earth scientist Dr. Emilio Lazardo who is possessed by alien villain Lord John Warfan gives such a speech to his men before taking off to invade their home world in another dimension. He constantly mugs in the style of Benito Mussolini (making you wonder which personality knew about that) including a rousing call to arms:
74	--> Warfan: "Where are we going?"
75	--> Lectroids: "Planet Ten!"
76	--> Warfan: "When?"
77	--> Lectroids: "Real soon!"
78	* In ''Film/ThisOtherEden'', set in a small Irish town following the War of Independence, a controversial modern-art statue of a local IRA hero is blown up, sparking a riot. Crispin Brown, a Hibernophilic Englishman looking to settle in the area, gives an impassioned speech for peace from the balcony of the town hall. In keeping with the movie's satirical tone, the crowd are mostly just amused at Brown making an ass of himself while the other characters don't have the heart to tell him so.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder: Live Action TV]]
82	* ''Series/ChristStoppedAtEboli'': The mayor has a bunch of villagers forcibly ushered into the square, so he can make a bombastic speech, in classic UsefulNotes/FascistItaly style, about Mussolini's war in Ethiopia.
83	* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Bronwyn tries to encourage people barricaded withing the walls of Ostirith to stand and fight the Orcs, by speaking from a wooden balcony. Her speech falls flat when Waldreg interferes and convinces the people to surrender in exchange for their lives and takes half of the people with him.
84	* ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'': The Hitler scene, where Hitler is hiding out as Mr. Hilter, has the titular character running in the North Minehead by-election and addressing, from a balcony, a cast of one man and three children. His speech is welcomed with [[LaughTrack canned applause]].
85	* The first scene of BBC's ''{{Series/Merlin\|2008}}'' has Uther Pendragon doing one of these about the execution of a sorcerer. Several major characters who live in the castle watch from behind him or windows, while Merlin and a large cast of extras watch from below.
86	** Uther does this almost whenever he's executing someone.
87	* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by the Doctor in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS13E1TerrorOfTheZygons "Terror of the Zygons"]] when he points out that it takes more than a [[StockNessMonster Loch Ness Monster]] to rule Earth.
88	-->"But you can't rule a world in hiding. You've got to come out onto the balcony sometimes and wave a tentacle."
89	* ''Series/TheRegime'': In episode 6, Chancellor Vernham delivers one [[spoiler:in observation of the ninth Victory Day]] reassuring the people of her love for them from behind bulletproof glass.
90	* Used twice in [[Series/{{V1983}} the first "V" miniseries]].
91	** In the first case, Visitor leader Diana is standing on a balcony above a crowd and giving a wonderful speech of friendship when the Resistance fighters break in and rip off her fake skin, exposing her as being a [[LizardFolk Lizard Person]].
92	** A couple of days later, the Visitors re-enact the whole scene, with Diana giving her speech from the same balcony with cheering spectators below... but this time, there are a couple of Visitor flunkies off-camera holding up {{CueCard}}s to tell the crowd when to laugh and cheer, and a large number of armed guards are standing around, also off-camera, to make sure no one tries any tricks.
93	[[/folder]]
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95	[[folder: MusicVideos]]
96	* Davey Havok gives some sort of speech to rally his followers in ''AFI'''s "Miss Murder" video.
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder: NewspaperComics]]
100	* ''ComicStrip/TheWizardOfID'': The King of Id often addresses his subjects from the balcony. One of them often shouts a snarky comment back at him.
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder: Theater]]
104	* ''Music/{{Evita}}'': Appropriately used to mirror RealLife, one of the songs is even entitled "On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada".
105	* A speech is attempted by Prince-and-soon-to-be-crowned-King [[RealPersonFic Charles]] in ''Theatre/KingCharlesIII'' to an already assembled crowd at Buckingham Palace... but the crowd is there protesting Charles' hugely unpopular decision to dissolve Parliament. None of the protesters can hear him over the general din of the protest-ing, even when Charles tries using a megaphone.
106	[[/folder]]
107
108	[[folder: VideoGames]]
109	* ''VideoGame/{{Tropico}} 3'': This is an ability your dictator character can perform. It can improve morale.
110	* The evil ending of ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic''. Amusingly, since [[HeroicMime the player character can't talk]], [[spoiler:Bastila]] is the one that actually makes the speech, despite the player being the new Dark Lord of the Sith.
111	* A stock cutscene in ''VideoGame/AgeOfWonders2TheWizardsThrone'' and ''VideoGame/AgeOfWonders: Shadow Magic''.
112	* Gulcasa delivers one of these in ''VideoGame/BlazeUnion'' at [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning his coronation]]. The recipients of the speech--the remnants of the former Imperial Army and the nobility, who have never been exposed to his ideals--are initially ambivalent towards their new sovereign, thinking "at least it's impossible for this guy to be worse than our last emperor". Once Gulcasa is done talking, [[UniversallyBelovedLeader he has their complete and undying loyalty]].
113	** In ''VideoGame/YggdraUnion'', Gulcasa's rejection of Yggdra's demands for his unconditional surrender is also one of these, as he's standing atop the city ramparts and addressing the enemy army gathered beneath.
114	* [[NamedAfterSomebodyFamous John Hancock]], the ghoul mayor of Goodneighbor in ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', likes delivering these to his community from time to time from the balcony outside his den in the Old State House.
115	* In ''VideoGame/MiddleEarthShadowOfWar'', every siege begins with the defending orc Warlord giving out a speech from atop the main fortress's balcony to assure Talion, and his forces, that he has no hope of winning. Once you conquer the fortress, Talion and Celebrimbor give a joint speech every time a region is conquered. Every speech is actually somewhat terrifying, with Celebrimbor's voice superimposed over Talion's and the aggressive, almost manic tone they use to promise pain and suffering for their enemies. Given they're giving a speech to uruks, though, that may simply be playing to the crowd.
116	* Giliath Osborne in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel II'' does this to the nation of Crossbell at the tallest tower of Western Zemuria, the Orchis Tower, to announce [[spoiler:the annexation of Crossbell to the Erebonian empire.]]
117	[[/folder]]
118
119	[[folder: WebComics]]
120	* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', this is how Redcloak announces to his goblin followers that they're no longer occupying Azure City, but are founding their own nation of "Gobbotopia."
121	[[/folder]]
122
123	[[folder: WebOriginal]]
124	* In ''Roleplay/TheGamersAlliance'', archmage [[WellIntentionedExtremist Jemuel]] addresses his people from a balcony and announces a new glorious dawn for the [[TheMagocracy Magicracy of Alent]].
125	[[/folder]]
126
127	[[folder: WesternAnimation]]
128	* Seen twice in ''WesternAnimation/AlfredJKwak'': In the beginning of episode 21 where king Franz Ferdinard is (attempting to) deliver an undetailed speech, and near the end of episode 25 the king is holding a better-received speech once [[spoiler: [[ANaziByAnyOtherName The National Crow's Party's]] dictatorship has been overthrown and he has been returned to the throne.]]
129	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Mr. Burns does it a couple of times, such as when he gives the award to the Inanimate Carbon Rod in "Deep Space Homer".
130	-->'''Burns''': Compadres, it is imperative that we crush the freedom fighters before the start of the rainy season! And remember, a shiny new donkey for whoever brings me the head of Colonel Montoya.\
131	(Smithers whispers something in his ear)\
132	'''Burns''': What? Oh. And by that, I mean, of course, it's time for the worker of the week award!
133	* In the ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo'' episode "The Prince and the Pinhead", Johnny (taking a prince's place) addresses the masses simply by saying hello, asking what'd they do yesterday, then telling them to keep it up.
134	* Used several times in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', as befits the [[ANaziByAnyOtherName the Fire Nation.]]
135	** When Admiral Zhao captures Aang, he makes a Balcony speech to his troops, complete with bombastic statements about Fire being the "Superior Element".
136	** When [[spoiler:Azula and Zuko]] return to the Fire Nation, [[CreepyTwins Li and Lo]] announce them to a crowd which is understandably thrilled to hear the war is practically won.
137	** When Firelord Ozai finally departs to [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething do something]], he announces to the [[EliteMooks Imperial Firebenders]] supporting him that [[spoiler:he is now the [[LargeHam PHOENIX KING!]]]]
138	* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars''[[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS1E14DefendersOfPeace , "Defenders of Peace"]]: Durd gives a RousingSpeech prior to testing his new superweapon from a balcony atop his fortified base.
139	* In the ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'' episode "Omens Part One" King Claudus gives one in a [[TheThunderdome huge amphitheatre]] dedicating some celebratory GladiatorGames to the [[DueToTheDead memory]] of Panthro, and concludes leading his sons and Grune in raising their glasses to toast their [[ToAbsentFriends Absent Friend]], while the crowd cheers raucously.
140	[[/folder]]
141
142	[[folder: RealLife]]
143	* UsefulNotes/BenitoMussolini spoke and addressed the nation from a balcony, as, for example, when he announced victory in the war against Abyssinia and the creation of the "[[UsefulNotes/FascistItaly Italian Empire]]" from the balcony of the Palazzo di Venezia, May 9, 1936. Then the partisans hung him upside down...
144	* President Juan Perón and his wife [[Music/{{Evita}} Eva]] famously used the balcony of Argentina's House of Government to deliver speeches.
145	* UsefulNotes/ThePope: Uses his papal balcony for special events and celebrations.
146	* The balcony of Buckingham Palace was ''built'' for this purpose, most recently at Will and Kate's wedding.
147	* The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs had instead of a balcony a 'Window of Appearances' overlooking the main palace courtyard suitable for showering gold down on worthy officials and showing themselves to a worshipful populace.
148	* Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu's famous balcony speech took place immediately prior to the Romanian revolution. He tried to placate the crowd, but was left dumbstruck when they openly jeered at him for the first time. He got about ten words out before the mob broke into the Presidential Palace and forced him to flee.
149	* Thanks to its design, Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Danish monarchs, have ''four'' balconies (one for each of the four identical buildings facing the same square). The Monarch will usually employ this trope on his/her birthday, but it has also seen use to announce a new King, most recently when Christian X ascended to the throne in 1912. The following two monarchs, Frederik IX and Margrethe II, however, chose to give their Balcony speech on ascending to the throne, from the balcony at Christiansborg Palace.
150	* When he was the football coach at University of California-Berkeley (1947-1956), [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappy_Waldorf Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf]] would address fans from a balcony by one of the stadium gates after every home game.
151	* Agustín de Iturbide, the man who achieved the Independence for México, sat playing cards with his friends at his luxurious home when a large multitude marched through the streets and assembled under his balcony, proclaiming him as the Emperor of the newly created country. Iturbide came out to his balcony to address them, however contrary to stereotype, he first turned down the offer and his speech revolved around how Mexicans didn't need him to lead them, then finally agreed to let the congress decide the matter in the morning, which eventually led to his election as monarch.
152	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / BalconySpeech