Lack Of Concern For War + Death Of Friend... (Spoilers)

Well, the reaction to Keegan's death is pretty easily explained: There is a missing scene in the final release print of the film!

Prior to "DA" being released, the film was cut to pieces by the studio since 20th Century Fox loathed the version that was turned in by Jack Smight. A scene that was cut was one in which Tanner and Denton get in a knock down, drag out fight over Keegan's death (since Denton did not / could not rescue Keegan). In fact, one of the lobby cards features this scene (Tanner is over Denton holding a concrete block from the parking garage, and Denton is holding his service revolver on Tanner).

As for the "robotic" response from the men to watching World War III unfold, remember, this was their job. They were trained to do it, and therefore, emotions would get in the way. It's a military thing.

Because this is "Damnation Alley", not "The View".



Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing it's idiot...

I think part of their lack of reaction is just plain shock. Even though they were trained to defend against missile attack they probably would have had trouble accepting that it was really happening. You see it in real life often enough. When a loved one dies, even if they were in ill health, it's still a bit of a shock and I can only imagine the sheer scale of the shock if/when the bombs actually fell.

Talk about a blasé way to start a movie about the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse. I kept expecting someone to announce on the intercom 'thank you gentlemen, that completes today's drill.'

It was certainly a cheap way of depicting catastrophic events (no dialogue, no score, no special effects, just some stock footage).

The scene where they are talking to the soldier about his drawings is more involved. I've seen episodes of Married With Children with more dramatic punch.

It did however make me realise the movie was not to be taken seriously and I rather enjoyed it for its camp value. How on earth this cost more than Star Wars, I have no idea.

Though a fan of this film-through all of it's misgivings-for years, I still find the attitude toward one another quite regrettable. I was especially disgusted with Peppard sitting on his ass while Paul Winchell gets devoured by cockroaches. He doesn't so much as move a muscle? Perhaps he was that impressed with the special effects? In those days, the effects were only average...But after all these years, an about 2 seconds of glimpses, I finally realized they had a stunt gal riding on the back of that dirt bike in the desert behind Jam Michael...I know it would be an uncredited role, but wonder if anyone happens to know who she was? She looked awfully cute from what I briefly saw...and can't believe I never noticed for over 35 years? p.s. though the Wikipedia notations say that the "Landmaster"-built by Dean Jeffries was a work of genius. The story noted it had been parked on Cahuenga Blvd. for many years. But actually, it had been moved around and for a very long time was parked right on Moorpark across from the Sherman Oaks Library. It was still the coolest thing in town in it's stationary position. What an imagination it's builder had!!!