MovieChat Forums > The Gypsy Moths (1969) Discussion > Retting death scene - missing him embedd...

Retting death scene - missing him embedded in ground red smoke?

posted 15 years ago by mcintyro
12 replies | jump to latest

I have the DVD of this fine movie, and I could swear there is a scene where we see the ground in which Retting landed in, and, while we do not see a mangled corpse, we do see the the red smoke coming out of the ground in the shape of a man. Looks like Retting might have sunk a half a foot in the rainy, muddy ground.

On the DVD, it we don't see this, and people have complained of other DVD cuts, although we do see a shot of Deborah Kerr's breasts and I am sorry we do, as that scene was not necessary.

[–] jloper 15 years ago

I don't remember the scene with the red smoke, but the description of Rettig's death in Drought's novel is absolutely horrific.

[–] rac701 15 years ago

My DVD copy has the original film's quick shot from above of Rettig's body, embedded in the ground after he hits, the wings of "The Cape" spread out and the red smoke from the grenades still churning away. The smoke is still seen wafting around Browdy, Malcom and the crowd when they rush up to his corpse.

It was a good film-making decision to have Rettig impact the softer,grassy ground in front of the stands near the strip, the real-life results of which would've looked bad enough. If he'd hit the hardened strip, he would have quite literally splattered like a smashed egg -- most definitely "absolutely horrific."

[–] Eric-1226 14 years ago

If he'd hit the hardened strip, he would have quite literally splattered like a smashed egg

Exactly... and if the paving of the hardened strip had been hot enough, the crowd would have been greeted with the wonderful aroma of a Rettig Omelette.

“Take Major Danby out and shoot him.” — Catch-22

[–] recoil-therapy 13 years ago

"Rettig death scene" - Gee, thanks for that nice spoiler posted right where everyone can see it.... much appreciated.

I was watching this for the first time today & a question came up about Malcolm so I check out the IMDB board to see if there was a thread about it & discover that Rettig is going to die - wonderful. Now it can be argued that right from the very beginning of the film you know that 'someone' is going to pancake themselves before the end, but at least up until the point I'm at (dance club) there is no hint who. Rettig because he pulled too low once too often, Joe or Malcolm through an accident, one because someone else screwed up, some other plot twist? Regardless it is part of the enjoyment of watching a movie to see everything unfold. Would it really have been that hard to do exactly like the other Rettig question did & have a bland title with 'spoiler inside' on it? I haven't opened that thread & I wouldn't have opened this one (or at least not until after the movie).

In the grand scheme of things this isn't a huge deal, but if you don't have to screw up the movie for others, why would you?

[–] mcintyro 12 years ago

Recoil-therapy, get a life.

99% of the people that post comments on walls such as these have seen the movie. Yeah, you make a point, but again, please arrive at these posts after you have seen the film.

[–] christopherj_l 12 years ago

I agree with him...putting spoilers as headlines ain't good..i came here in the midst of watching the movie only to see this...kinda kills the moment...its like when your mother walks in on you whilst jacking off.

[–] jmillerdp 11 years ago

I would think that IMDb's board moderators would see a thread title like that and alter it. If that isn't part of what they do, they should consider doing so.

"I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP!" - Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood"

[–] Swift-12 11 years ago

SPOILER ALERT

You're a jackass

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[–] Underdog_73 8 years ago

mcintyro replied Dec 29, 2012
Recoil-therapy, get a life.

99% of the people that post comments on walls such as these have seen the movie. Yeah, you make a point, but again, please arrive at these posts after you have seen the film.

mcintyro, get a life.

Accept the fact that a title like yours is the action of a d-bag. Spoiler alerts are built into the site for a reason. Don't assume people have seen the movie. Show some common courtesy and use the tools that exist for a purpose. Again, the spoiler alert option.

The fact that your stupidity was brought to your attention and your reaction was to further be a d-bag, I'm sure any attempt to reason with you intelligently is wasted. Apparently you're content to be a doosh (sic)....

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 8 years ago

Frankly, I think both sides of this argument are douchey.

On the one hand, in an ideal world, all spoilers would be "alerted".

On the other hand, it's not an ideal world, and most people don't consider others before they act. Yes, putting it in the title of a thread SEEMS extra dick-y, but it's the same principle. It IS a nearly 50 year old film, and the cautious viewer would avoid this site until seeing the entire film.

Not to mention, does everyone watch every film to be surprised? Certain films lend themselves to spoiler alerts - Chase A Crooked Shadow; Psycho; The Sixth Sense; The Others. Is "Surprise" the point of every film? Are we all, mentally, 8 years old? Move on. Is it worth dropping to a certain level on IMDb?

[–] jdsuggs 8 years ago

Since you broached it, the whole Internet is kind of douchey, isn't it?

[–] Foster (878) 10 months ago

So let me get this right ---- YOU watch a movie 53 years after it comes out and Demand to have spoiler alerts at every post

Does your mom still wipe your backside for you??

IF you're nearly as smart as you want us to figure --- YOU ought to be able to figure that info has already been posted about the movie and YOU shouldn't be here reading it

STOP at the trivia section and leave the discussions to the adults