MovieChat Forums > Klute (1971) Discussion > different ending

different ending

posted 17 years ago by kathryn49
20 replies | jump to latest

Ok, so Klute has been and still is one of my absolute favorite movies, and for kicks one cold winter's day I went in search online for the script. I found it and skimmed through most of it and it's rather different than the actual movie. In my opinion if it were made verbatim to the script it would've been a rather lame film. But getting to my point; when I reached the ending I noticed that it's rather different from the printed end. It's happy. Gross. Anyone know the story behind this? Was an alternate ending filmed? Or did the good people behind the films making just make a very wise desision as with the rest of the script?

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] L0GAN5 17 years ago

I'm not convinced the filmed ending isn't a 'happy' ending - maybe just more ambiguous in its execution. The film has a very unique mood and the scripted ending would never have worked so I doubt it was ever intended to be filmed, let alone changed. I think the film has the same ending, but just filmed in a style more in keeping with the tone of the film.

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

But the scripted ending has him dragging Bree off, literally, after she can't decide what she wants. From how it's written it's almost comical. In the filmed ending she clearly states (to her shrink) she can't be with him, therefore leaving to most likely be back next week. That's a pretty big contrast if you ask me.

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] L0GAN5 17 years ago

In the script she is in two minds and the ending of the film captures that same sentiment. She says she can't be with him but yet at the end she is leaving her apartment for good and leaves with Klute.

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

I really don't think she leaves WITH him, as in back to Tusca-whatever. If she says that it could never work out with him, why would she leave with him? I don't doubt that she left, I just think she left to somewhere, or at least tries to, that wasn't around "the life". However this means an inevitable encounter with the "darning socks" factor that she states. Recognizing this, she realizes that life anywhere else but the city is near impossible, but she'll give it a try.

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Mkeydude 17 years ago

The ending isn't clear on whether he was merely helping her blow town or whether he was taking her home to "meet his mother". As they were leaving, the phone rings, she hesitates, couldn't resist and answers and chats for a few moments which leads me to believe he was only helping her get out of town.

[–] edward-miller-1 17 years ago

They left it up to the viewer. I believe she went back to Tuscarora with him. She'd had enough of the life.

"If ah irritate you, jes think how ah irritate mahself."

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

I really, really, REALLY hope she didn't go to Cabbageville, and I don't think she did. Her leaving with him would portray morals more commonly found in the previous decade. Her just leaving with his assistance gives the film its modern edge (yes, I know it was the seventies but considering today's slop it's sitll pretty modern).

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] L0GAN5 17 years ago

As brilliant as the film is, it's quite a chauvenistic piece. Bree is pimped by a man. Terrorised by a man. Serves the basest needs of men. In her auditions she is invariably rejected by men. Her whole life is controlled by men so being consigned to domesticity seems to be the logical conclusion to her life.

[–] edward-miller-1 17 years ago

Sadly, it's still a man's world, despite all the strides made by the women's movement.

"If ah irritate you, jes think how ah irritate mahself."

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

If she were smart enough to realize that domesticity wasn't for her why would she do it? Not only does she aknowledge that but she also realizes that their relationship could never work because of such differences. AND she says he knows it too, and Klute seems to be the closest to compassionate of them all so I don't think he'd make her go through with it because he cares about her (aww).

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] L0GAN5 17 years ago

Because it's an easy option! Lots of people in life settle for less than what they want because they get tired of pursuing what they do want or find it too difficult. I think by having her leave her apartment for good with Klute heavily implies that she is going with him. If the filmmakers didn't want to give that impression then there is no need to have Klute in the final scene.

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

I understand where you come from with that but I just don't think that the end had that kind of slant. I also don't think Klute'd be that dumb, she knows very well that she'll never last in the 'burbs and I don't percieve the character as the type to pressure her into it. In the script (that I mentioned way back at the start of this post) he's described as the type to do so but the script wasn't followed in so many other ways that there's no reason to believe that they'd follow his character now.

But in the end, it really doesn't matter who the hell she left with, she'll be back.

Please don't forget though, I simply asked this in regard to the script and how it was sort of comical in its end... and if there were any intent to shoot that end I'd like to hear of it. Meanwhile I still love the movie.

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] edward-miller-1 17 years ago

Everyone knows that former prostitutes make the best wives. A very big Hollywood star (one of the biggest) who died within the last ten years, who made a film with Jane Fonda late in his life, was married to an ex-prostitute, and they had a very successful marriage, for decades, until he died. I don't dare mention his initials even, but if you want to PM me with guesses, I'll tell you if you're right or wrong.

"If ah irritate you, jes think how ah irritate mahself."

[–] OceanPagan 17 years ago

I really don't think Bree was settling though. Klute gave her something she needed and didn't even know she needed: unconditional love. Safety was a side effect of that. I don't see her ever going back to "the life" after having left it with Klute.

But then I think that "hopeless romantic" is a contradiction in terms.

Darlin', don't ever take a Southern woman for granted

[–] OceanPagan 17 years ago

That was my interpretation, Darlin'. He loved her and was able to protect her happily ever after, and that's what I wanted him to do and her to let him do. She loved him too; that love with the trust element was just new to her and she didn't quite know how to deal with it.

BTW, your sigline is wonderful!

Darlin', don't ever take a Southern woman for granted

[–] edward-miller-1 17 years ago

Thanks! It's Susan Kohner's line in "All the Fine Young Cannibals". And I agree with you; I'm personally a "hopeful romantic", which I think is a line from "Romancing the Stone".

"If ah irritate you, jes think how ah irritate mahself."

[–] kathryn49 17 years ago

Perhaps it's just a gone-and that's the end of it kind of thing. I still think he just helped her get out. He knows very well that she's not suited for his life and he seems compassionate enough to not push her into it. If he did, in my eyes that makes him somewhat of a villain rather than an ally to Bree, and I don't think he's supposed to be that. It'd be an interesting story, but it doesn't fit with the rest of this movie.

"I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" -The African Queen

[–] TheMerryWidow 17 years ago

Thanks for sharing, guys. Having watched most of it, I was kinda thinking the killer would ice her in the end. Another gal bites the dust. Then Klute will just have to deal with the whole thing.

I never go out with guys who sing opera!

[–] morganseer 11 years ago

I interpreted the ending consistently with their interaction throughout the movie. She keeps wanting to sabotage the relationship, and then ends up meekly going along with his program. And what makes me laugh is how little he has to do to make her comply.