MovieChat Forums > The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) Discussion > My funny LotLR story. SPOILERS

My funny LotLR story. SPOILERS

posted 15 years ago by MRlambfries
8 replies | jump to latest

This takes place a couple years ago...
Over at my then current girlfriend's place and we were going to rent a video for the night. Not having seen this film in about 20 years, I saw it was to be on a decided we could watch it instead. She was from Honduras and had never seen the movie, or heard of the Lone Ranger, so I thought it would be a nice treat for both of us.
So, we are both watching and really getting into the story. I had forgotten how good the setup for the film was and she was really digging the potential love relationship, as well as the story of John Reid. She got an added kick out of the fact that the hero and I share the same name.
She was heartbroken during the ambush scene, on the verge of crying, and stayed misty through John's recovery and rekindled friendship with Tonto. I enjoyed watching her reactions almost as much as the movie. She was almost shuddering when John was standing over the gravesite...
Then, the trumpets start blaring the overture out of nowhere and John pokes his head up with the mask on and I thought "Oh, this isn't going to go over well." I turn and look to her, and she's frozen with her mouth open. A rush of emotions, all negative, are surging in her eyes. Confusion, disgust, denial and finally rage, not just anger, but full on rage. As if someone was raping her cat in front of her. Her mouth still agape and eyes still fixated on the screen, I did what any good boyfriend would do, I started laughing, which did nothing to sooth her fury. She said one or two words, and I just lost it. She was mad at the world - including me - as if I had played a cruel joke on her. She blew her top and went off on the movie. I half expected her to start ranting in spanish (which I had only seen once before). I tried to calm her down to watch the rest of it, but she started bitching for the next few minutes until she finally started laughing with me. She refused to watch the rest of the movie and walked out of the room.
I'm pretty sure she called one of her friends and told them what happened. She'd walk by the room every once in a while and I'd try to coax her into finishing the movie with me, but she'd just start bitching again until we'd start laughing, then leave again.
For the remainder of our time together, if I'd mention the Lone Ranger in front of her it was like hitting a button. First, she would throw a fit about the movie, then, we'd laugh ourselves silly.

[–] temerrit 15 years ago

Just watched it tonight for the first time in like 15 years. The movie really does take a turn at that point doesnt it?

Up until that point, as you said, the setup was great

[–] cwell510 14 years ago

So, what pissed her off so much? That was THE pivotal scene of the entire film.

[–] MRlambfries 14 years ago

Well, if you had never heard of, or seen the Lone Ranger before, you'd expect movie to be a dark drama, or a straight-up revenge flick up until that point. You have to admit, no matter how much you like the movie, that scene is pretty comical. Visually, it's kind of funny, but the music just sends it over the edge.

[–] generalzod7575 14 years ago

dude you are so right. I had never seen this movie. It was awesome but everytime the music played it was awful. they should have updated.

[–] Fluke_Skywalker 13 years ago

Agreed. Spot on. I hadn't seen this movie since the early/mid 80s, but I had fond memories of it. I went into this re-watch knowing that it likely wasn't going to hold up, but the first half surprised me. But from the moment he becomes the Lone Ranger it falls apart. Robards does add some color when he finally shows up but it's too late to save it.

Now playing: Inhumanoids http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com

[–] lm362 10 years ago

I did not expect this movie to be a either of what you described. I do not understand why your girlfriend would get so upset at such a pivotal and great scene. She and you obviously did not get to the Ranger's character to feel what he is feeling. The music is not comical, but it truly captures the spirit of who the Lone Ranger and Tonto are.
I have always loved this movie and will always remember how the audience stood up and applauded. It started even when they saw the outfit and got louder as the scene went on. A great memory.

[–] MRlambfries 9 years ago

Yeah, we obviously didn't. 

I guess you missed the point I was making. I wasn't knocking the characters journey, but a very specific bad choice of filmmaking. I can honestly say that until that point in the film it is how a film should be made -- great story, depth of character, beautifully filmed and wonderful score while taking time to know it's characters -- the first 70 minutes are fantastic. The fact that that scene is unintentionally funny and honestly feels like a different film from there on is what I was trying to convey. "The William Tell Overture," and specifically the part that was used as the Lone Ranger theme is one of my favorite pieces of music, but it's use at that point is just plain bad. Not to mention how forced it feels at the end of the film, trying too hard to steer the audience's emotion for a lackluster finale into something triumphant. I never said the music was comical.

I saw this in the theater too, and believe the Lone Ranger to be on of the great western (not, Western) mythologies, but nobody in the theater I was in clapped at that moment, let alone gave a standing ovation in the middle of the film.  Did the audience bust out of theater doors raising the usher and candy-counter girl in triumph while chanting praises of the film too? LOL! I think you're glossing your experience a bit. When I was a kid people used to clap during certain scenes and almost always after the film was over, but I've never seen anyone stand to applaud in the middle of one. Frankly, I would never want to. That would be quite disruptive and rude.

Remember this film bombed big time. If the experience you say you had was widespread this film would have definitely had legs at the box office.

[–] millsey72 (10938) 2 years ago

Your story wasn't too funny. Have any better ones to share?