MovieChat Forums > Jaws (1975) Discussion > Did Quint Respect Brody???

Did Quint Respect Brody???

posted 6 years ago by Sandman81 (1509)
17 replies | jump to latest

On the boat I think he understood that Brody wasn't a man of the sea and wasn't bothered by it, unlike Hooper who was openly hostile towards Brody at times.

But at the town hall meeting after Alex Kintner was killed, I think Quint actually showed more respect to Brody than he did to anyone else in the room, including the Mayor. Maybe he recognized that Brody was the only person on the island with any sense of how dangerous this shark really was (Hooper made a similar observation). Brody was the only person willing to do the necessary actions, as painful as they may be in the short term, to resolve the problem quickly. And Quint probably realized that Brody would be the person that agreed to give him the money he asked for.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Yes I think he did and it was mutual.

[–] ADBruno1985 (3487) 6 years ago

I think he must have some respect for him, or he'd not have been allowed on the Orca. But his ego or whatever reason won't allow him to show it, so he resorts to being how he is.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

He absolute DID NOT. Just watch the scene where Quint makes his own alcohol and says to Brody “here drink this” and then watches Brody intently to see if he can handle it. Quint shows disappointment after he sees Brody almost puke, and realizes right there that he’s not my kind of guy or shipmate.
Quint hated Hooper but respected his seamanship. Case in point Quint “Brody start another Chum line”. Brody “let Hooper take a turn” Quint “ Hooper drives the boat Chief”

And just look at the way Quint treats Brody at the dock in front of his wife “hey chief, I see you brought your rubbers”

Quint had to relent because Brody chartered the expedition

I can’t believe I actually had to explain this to you DOLTS

[–] Sandman81 (1509) 6 years ago

I don't think Quint needed a shot to know that Brody was a different kind of guy than him. I'm sure everyone on the island knew the Chief was from New York City and not a man of the sea. If anything he probably was just offended that the Chief obviously didn't like his home made liquor, even though Brody was probably the first person other than Quint to try it.

Making Brody do the chum line wasn't about disrespecting Brody. It was just something that needed to be done. Quint was captain, and got to order one of his two crew members to do it. Since he needed an experienced boater to drive the boat that left Brody. Later on that day he did actually let Brody steer the boat while in pursuit of Jaws.

Quint was the kind of guy who would think it was funny to yell something like out across the dock regardless of who was present. He wasn't doing it to embarrass Brody in front of his wife. He was just saying it for his own amusement..

Thanks for the replay. Always appreciate someone coming with a different opinion and attempting to back it up.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Dude, you’re lost, it’s not a different opinion, it’s how it was played out in the movie, it was the intention. I guess things need to be spelled out for in large block letters.

The irony of the whole thing was when they were on the boat bragging about scar stories, Brody probably saw and lived amongst violence that the other two can only imagine being he was a NY cop. He was a fish out of water living on that island and being on that boat.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

"Brody probably saw and lived amongst violence that the other two can only imagine being he was a NY cop."

As much as I respect the police, I doubt very many of them ever have faced the kinds of horror of being marooned at sea and facing endless attacks from sharks. I wouldn't doubt that there are a number of them that went through ordeals that are nothing less than terrifying but most have no frame of reference for what those guys on the Indianapolis went through.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

That scene was a tiny stroke of genius. We saw Brody's scar, so we knew that he had indeed face violence during his career in the police force, and we might leap to the conclusion that said violence might have had something to do with his decision to move from New York to this boring little island. But we can also see that Brody either doesn't think the story behind the scar will impress those two with their shark horror story, or that he doesn't want to be the kind of buzzkill who changes the subject to himself when other people are having fun.

It's the kind of film scene I love, the kind where a few visual images convey a tremendous amount of information. In that scene you get huge insight into all three characters and their backgrounds, plus how while on board the boat Brody is so insecure and out of his element that he doesn't even want to open his mouth.

[–] Sandman81 (1509) 6 years ago

I always thought Brody's scar was from having his appendix removed. While the scar probably looked good, the story wouldn't measure to the ones Hooper and Quint had, so he opted not to share it.

Brody does talk about the crime in New York being to much for him and that is in part what drew him to Amity. I wonder if it was one specific case that pushed him over the edge, or was it just a culmination of years on the force.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Its been a while since I've seen that scene, but I think the scar is too high up for an appendectomy scar. The appendix is very low in the abdomen, lower than most people are willing to lower their pants at least among
people they dont know well.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

The movie is playing now, and the scar scene just played.

I was right the first time, the scar on Brady's tum is definitely not an appendectomy scar, it's 8-10" too high on the abdomen.

[–] Stratego (30511) 5 years ago

Definitely an appendectomy scar, apparently Scheider's own.

[–] strangenstein (683) 5 years ago

The scene is played for comedy. It’s definitely an appendectomy scar. Watch the look on Brody’s face as he realizes that’s his battle scar. His look of shame and embarrassment is priceless.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

I thought the scar was too high up to be an appendectomy scar. An appendectomy scar is very low on the abdomen, below the waistband of pants, level with the pubes on most people.

I dont remember exactly where the scar is, but I'm pretty sure that Body pulled up his shirt to show it, rather than pulling down his pants.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Quint doesn't seem to like other humans very much, so on land he probably respects Brody as much as he respects anyone - very little. By sea, he came to respect Hooper a little because he had some seamanship and knowledge if sharks, but no more than a little.

The thing is, once Brody and Hooper boarded his boat... well, power corrupts, and as long as they were on his ship he was on a power trip. Plus, crazy thrives in isolated situations, so the fact is that the shark-hunting trip brought out the absolute worst in Quint - his madness, his arrogance, his disregard for others, his need for absolute control of his territory.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Quint was a business man and wanted that job. Of course he was brown nosing Brody. Brody was the key to the shitty mayor who would ignore Quint if he was ever approached.

[–] SpaceAce2001 (387) 6 years ago

Yes he did because Brody was the one who immediately recognized the threat the shark posed.

[–] ebhaynz (3688) 6 years ago

Quint initially didn't respect either Brody or Hooper. However, whenever they did something right on his boat their status raised ever so slightly. Quint would ride you hard until you either broke or became a worthy seaman.