MovieChat Forums > The Public Enemy (1931) Discussion > The Ending.

The Ending.

posted 16 years ago by LauraCohle
12 replies | jump to latest

I have only seen bits and pieces of The Public Enemy. I don't really get the ending with Tom being all tied up and battered, and just falling forward onto the ground. Why is he like that?

[–] kronos251 16 years ago

Long story short, without spoiling the film for you, Tom was checked into a hospital after the shootout, and his brother got a call saying he'll be coming home. . . I suggest you watch the film from beginning to end. You'll appreciate it more, believe me.

"Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?" -- The Wrestler

[–] dockbennett 16 years ago

With Mum up in the bedroom humming away while preparing her son's bed, it's a really chilling ending too.

[–] MayoGalway 11 years ago

Ya, the ending is classic. His poor mom is gonna be devastated.

[–] jholmstrom-1 16 years ago

He's dead.

[–] freakyfelix 16 years ago

He's been killed in a horrendous way and delivered on the doorstep.

The moral at the time: Don't be a gansta, even though you may have great times like in the movie, don't think you get away with it -- you'll end up like this.

[–] SammySoprano 11 years ago

One of the best endings ever.

Anthony 'Tony' Soprano Sr.: There's an old Italian saying: you *beep* up once, you lose two teeth.

[–] Kingsbridger 11 years ago

I agree with Kronos. Watch the movie and don't rely on others to do your homework for you.

[–] LauraCohle 11 years ago

Ever think maybe I didn't have access to the film? The ending always creeped me out and I wanted more closure on it. Get over it mate.

[–] Kingsbridger 11 years ago

But that's the point of actually seeing the movie. One can always claim that you don't have ready access to a flick. OK I get it. But if you don't see the entire "Gone with the Wind" and then get on a discussion forum and ask, "Hey, why did Rhett Butler lose interest in the babe", who's doing all the work? It's easy to just ask a question out of the blue. It takes more time to put forth the effort to give a thoughtful answer. I'm not slamming you here. I'm just saying that when one asks a question like this ... well it's a little lazy. That's all. Ah, maybe I was in a mood. You can't get closure on something if you have hardly looked at opening up the contents. I've seen some of your comments elsewhere and you typically show a lot of thought on works that you have seen. So maybe I overreacted in this case. I just tire of others who jump in and ask something like, "Why is it called Full Metal Jacket?"

OK I'm done. No abuse intended

[–] foster1234 10 years ago

Get over yourself

In a world where a carpenter can be resurrected, anything is possible.

[–] ronaldt49 10 years ago

Tom's position changes from when he initially falls into the doorway.

Initially falls in center of door. Couple of scenes later he's at an angle to the door.

Would his bro have tried to move him from in front of the door.

Cagney is not a big man and with him being tied like he was it wouldn't take much effort to move him by just grabbing the ropes tied around him. Easier to move him that way than to move just an unwrapped Cagney.

Never noticed the position change before!!!

[–] foster1234 10 years ago

I figure the ending was a couple takes

With Cagney taking that great fall

Then his brother crouching and reaching for Tom possibly taking a pilse

then the brother walking away

The body (Cagney) moved a little

In a world where a carpenter can be resurrected, anything is possible.