A question for Shane and members of this site.

[Hyde]

SPOILERS AND SHANE IF YOU READ THIS DONT BE OFFENDED I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH!

Today as I was watching Dead Mans Shoes for the like 15th time I started to think how much more effective it would have been if Herbie hadnt died instantly from the stab, yet just sat there crying bleeding to death, maybe a close up on his eyes and richards refelection as he walked away. I dont know maybe thats TO effective? and again where Richard is stabbed at the end... if he had just lay there waiting to die of blood loss with a smile on his face, would it be more effective.

What you guys think? should that be the new way of doing a scene like that?

I love the movie though I havnt seen a movie so good since Reservoire Dogs when I was like 8, such a damn good movie and is easily my first or second fave movie.

[deadmansrockports]

It doesnt seem to me that herbie dies instantly. He is still breathing as Richard leaves. To be honest I like the way Shane hasnt dwelled or 'made too much' of any of the deaths in the film. They just happen, Richard leaves and moves onto the next victim. I find this a very effective way of making it seem more realistic.

Regarding your view of Richards smile as he dies, I think that would be very cheesy and sort of cliched. You can obviously see he's in pain as he is stabbed and probably just passes out once again removing any cliche and adding to to the realism.

Dont get me wrong mate, im not having a go at your ideas as, no doubt some people who read your post will agree with you. Im just giving my opinion :-)

Bo film that I wouldnt change at all!

[Hyde]

Actually yeah now that I think about it the build up to Herbie's demise more than makes up for it, and like you said he was probably still breathing making my point pointless, although... another way of going about it could have been that he watched Richard leave with tears and snot running down his face with a look of "why did you do that?", but then that excludes your point of moving on to the next killing and not making a big thing of it.

Actually yeah I guess the whole smiling thing does sound corny, but I think instead of the camera looking down at Richard it could have been looking at his face (although it really doesnt matter at all)

Yeah its all opinion theres always little things people would change in movies to suit them but it doesnt mean that is how it should be.

[deadmansrockports]

Exactly, I would never dismiss a point someone makes as everyones tastes are different. Anyway thats what this forum is all about - everyone chipping in with points, ideas and topics no matter what they are (well, sort of! Im referring to the racism the other day) and everyone should benefit from them.

"London isnt paved wiff gold!! Its paved wiff SHIT!"

[Dave]

The idea with the reflection in the eyeballs seems way too Hollywood for it to work in a film that is so heavily into realism. I can imagine it in some kind of "I Know What You Did Last Summer 5" kind of film, but not in Dead Man's Shoes.

However, it's often cool to think of how you would have shot scenes in films differently if you had the chance. I do it quite a bit myself.

[Hyde]

I watched Herbies scene again and yeah he definately shows he is in pain and that he is breathing after... I remember like last year I was hit in the kneecap (I think it was there, and I cant even remember how they did it.. maybe knee'd me or something) and the pain rushed though my body (sort of like when your funny bone gets hit) and I felt sick (stomach was chruning, felt dizzy) all I could do was shut my eyes (when open it was blurry) and wait for it to go away. Its like that isnt it only he was STABBED thus making it much worse.

also yeah the reflection thing thinking back.. yeah not a good idea haha.

[shanemeadows]

Richard executes the gang with clinical precision, the only reason he makes Gyspy Johns death appear so horrific is to scare the shit out of the gang. You can bet when he put the knife into Herbie he knows exactly where it is going and the damage it will do. He has the information he needed from Herbie, so all that remains is a nice effective S.A.S. style termination.

[Hyde]

Yeah that makes much more sense... so really.. there is no better way to do that scene.

Thanks for the post Shane.