... In an other wise perfect kidnapping plot, the writers of the excellent film failed to forget that the chauffer saw Bill's facw at the gates of the school and would be able to identify him to the police.
It's a small over-sight, in a brilliant film.
"Ohhh Chimpanzee That! Monkey News": http://www.freewebs.com/the_k_man/
That is a bit of a hole, but remember, he had his hair dyed a different color.
shareI was also thinking that the hair dye was an inadequate disguise. Also, the half-masks used in front of the little girl would not suffice, especially since their voices would be recognized.
shareThe chauffeur is duped, must've come back to find that both the girl and the Rolls Royce had vanished... but the newspaper simply reported the child "missing from home" - press D-notice? And why aren't the young cricketers (witnesses) ever seen again?
But an otherwise flawless film, worth it for the stunning lead performances alone!
"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,
Also the little girl "Amanda" obviously saw Billy's face during the kidnap. So why does he wear the half mask in the house. Myra must have known that he could not have pulled off the kidnap disguised.
shareAh, you're right! Oh well, I can overlook that. :)
He said it's all in your head, and I said, so's everything--
But he didnt get it.
Well, a few people have said that Billy is a stupid (it's a plot hole for the fact that he doesn't put any disguises on), but I don't think that's a hole at all. Myra mentions numerous times that they are "professionals." The plain fact is that they are not; they are amateurs. Putting on no disguises corresponds to that fact.
That being said, I wish I could come up with some "excuse" for the chauffeur, but it is a minor hole. What a shame to an otherwise pretty flawless movie.
That's not such a plot hole since Billy isn't a public figure and the chauffeur in giving a description would be describing any number of similar men (also, with the wrong hair color since Billy's hair was dyed).
The real plot hole is that Billy couldn't have known that the chauffeur wouldn't have taken the child with him to get the letter from the teacher, and also, I don't believe we saw Billy wipe his fingerprints from the stolen Rolls Royce in which he kidnapped the child.
I don't think what you describe really matters since Billy loves his wife and she seems to be going a little mad and he's indulging her. It's not just that he's weak, it's that he truly loves her and doesn't want to challenge her weakening grasp on reality.
I just watched the movie and yes, Billy does wipe his fingerprints from the Rolls Royce. Right after he puts the girl in the motorcycle side car, he goes back to the car and with what appears to be a handkerchief, wipes the outer door handles and gets into the driver's seat and wipes down the interior. It all happens quickly, but he does go through those motions.
shareThe other thing you forget in re Billy not having a disguise, is that in 1960s England people were much more conforming than they are now - everyone who could afford it wore suits and ties and had that moustache - Billy is very ordinary looking, his description would fit any number of men of the time.
I support two teams: Wales, and whoever's playing England.
You are correct. The little girl should also have been able to identify him after seeing him without his mask in the scene where she wandered out of the unlocked bedroom. Also, how did she go to the bathroom? I'm being petty, of course, but this is the way my mind works.
shareI also thought it was a bit obvious where Dickie Attenborough is on a crowded tube train and puts a bag inside another bag, takes off his coat and has another underneath etc. You'd think somebody might remember slightly odd behaviour like that. I suppose we have to just accept that in those days there was no 'Crimewatch' on TV and our every move wasn't being monitored by CCTV.
It's also strange that the little girl doesn't seem to really question the fact that she's been kidnapped, unless she's supposed to be a bit confused due to being kept doped much of the time.
I guess Dickie had doubts all along, and was doing it to humour his wife, and only realised what trouble they were in before it was too late.
"I also thought it was a bit obvious where Dickie Attenborough is on a crowded tube train and puts a bag inside another bag, takes off his coat and has another underneath etc."
Well, that's like Hitchcock... the best place to hide is out in the open.
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