MovieChat Forums > The Emerald Forest (1985) Discussion > Dam Explosion?

Dam Explosion?

posted 18 years ago by tvsterling
11 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this movie again & was wondering if anyone knows about the detonator that the father is using at the very end. The question is did he or didn't he set off the explosives? Mostly in movies such technical points are authentic if at all possible because it spoils the spell if somebody can say'" That isn't right what a phoney movie etc". Anyway, when the dam breaks the device he is holding has a green light on it. I think before it had a red light at some point (maybe I'll have to look again) but at the end the light was green. In one or two moves or maybe quick cuts at about the time the dam goes he fumbles with it but at the end the light is still green. Does this mean he did or didn't set off the explosives? I think maybe the little mystery is deliberate. Personally I believe he didn't. I think the dam broke before he could set off his charge. If anyone knows how the lights on that detonator work I would sure like to know.

[–] RogerDaily 18 years ago

He intended to blow up the dam but the detonator would not work, although the light changed from red to green. This was because the storm blew caused a crane part to fall near which disconnected the leads.

But as it turned out, the frogs sang loud enough for enough rain to fall and burst the dam...

no mystery there i'm afraid except for the fact that frogs can burst dams...

"...so many man wasted so badly"

[–] Neil_Williamson 18 years ago

How strange I wondered the same thing after catching the end of the film the other night. He was sure the dam would hold and was all set to use the detonator when the water broke through anyway. He smiled at the thought that his son's spiritual ways had prevailed over the modern world.

[–] RogerDaily 18 years ago

No, he wasn't set to use the detonator, he had actually already pressed the button minutes before the dam burst!

So if it wasn't for the crane part that fell down, he would have blown the damn before excess of water would have done so anyway.

Indeed, "He smiled at the thought that his son's spiritual ways had prevailed over the modern world"

"...so many man wasted so badly"

[–] Neil_Williamson 18 years ago

Sorry I don't quite follow. If he had already pressed the button then why didn't the dam detonate when he did so - is there some kind of delay?

Was it the crane falling down that stopped the detonation device from working?

We are agreed that it was the excess flood of water that destroyed the dam and not the father's actions?

I don't have the film on tape/dvd so can't watch it back!

[–] RogerDaily 18 years ago

Hi Neil, answers to your q's in bold

Sorry I don't quite follow. If he had already pressed the button then why didn't the dam detonate when he did so - is there some kind of delay? - no delay, detonator simply didn't work, see below

Was it the crane falling down that stopped the detonation device from working?
- Yes

We are agreed that it was the excess flood of water that destroyed the dam and not the father's actions? - Yes

I don't have the film on tape/dvd so can't watch it back! - No worries, it's not the world's greatest

"...so many man wasted so badly"

[–] jporter-6 18 years ago

The reason why we don't know is to cause us to
further suspend belief so that we are able to
believe that the natural (or supernatural) forces
could bust that dam. (Or that darn, if you prefer.)

On the other hand, Dad could have blown the dam.

Good device allows you to conclude either way in
your own belief system.

[–] landgabriel 16 years ago

They indeed left it up to the audience to decide, good move on the directors part.

[–] K_oceanlust 10 years ago

What really puzzles me, is why did he want to destroy the dam?

[–] JoeHud 10 years ago

Did you watch the movie without subtitles for the foreign parts, or what?

[–] K_oceanlust 10 years ago

No I didn't. I couldn't figure out how to do so on the youtube versions available. I don't think it's possible as I tried to find the film with english subtitles.

[–] sbowesuk 10 years ago

Although getting subtitles to work with this movie can be tricky, it's worth it if you want to experience the full movie. You'll miss a lot of information and context otherwise.