Duel scene outcome

I sort of agree, BUT.. it became obvoius to me b4 the comp ended that it seemed to be about who could play faster, and tim showed an amazing control to play that peice. i also belive if jelly could of played the same peice he would of. And if the crowd was any indication then 1900 won HANDS DOWN!

Your argument is RIDICULOUS.

First off, there is a sense of humor that 1900 has that obviously you did not catch. He played with the emotions of people and Jelly Roll. He copied the piece that Jelly Roll had played PERFECTLY. Now, I doubt your a pianist, because if you were, then you'd know that that's easier said than done. I know there are master pianists out there who can do stuff like that, but to just instantly copy and play a song you JUST heard... is crazy. And his intention was to piss Jelly Roll off. He did.

He played that really slow song, I think it was a Christmas song? Anyway, it was SO simple and here was his point: He knew that when he'd get done playing that everyone who applaud for him REGARDLESS of what he'd play. He was pointing out that Jelly Roll was the stranger on the boat. He made it feel like Jelly Roll had to earn his right to be applauded. 1900 knew he could play something so simple, something that a six-year-old could play, and he'd still get applause. This ticked off Jelly Rolly, which was is point, mind you.

Now, the part where he played insanely fast. Here's the point of all that. That was humanly impossible to play with just two hands. That's something that can be done by two people. The point is NOT how fast he was playing. It was that he was playing the impossible with such great intensity. There is no one who could play that. The fact that it lit a cigarette was for show. Most people wouldn't catch that what he was playing was impossible, but they would understand that playing a piano fast enough to light a cigarette is pretty dang impressive.

I've pee on myself.

Hope this helps. I'm not trying to come across too critical.

By the way, according to cast credits, Tim Roth plays the "Silent Night..." himself. I wonder if this is true.

Hmm.. This is what I think about the duel..

During he first and second piece, 1900 did not know what was he supposed to do! Do you remember when he was at the ship deck looking at Jelly (who was with the press people)?? He asked Max, "What happens in a duel?"

Heavens, he doesn't even know what's a duel! That's why he played Silent Night as his first piece. Then he thought he was supposed to follow what Jelly was playing, that's why in the second piece, he copied what Jelly played (The Crave).. And mind you, he did not copy that piece 100%.. Listen carefully to the left hand.. 1900's version is far more sophisticated.. When Jelly was playing his final piece, did you notice that the camera kept on showing 1900's face, and 1900 had a frown..? Now, he was beginning to understand what's a duel. That's why he finally licked Jelly with his super fast-hand piece!

=)

A big part of this film is 1900s music (yeah...)
at just about every instance of his playing, his music was a feeling, or a story of his surroundings, people, setting, ect...

he was angry, so he played an angry sounding peice, he expressed the feeling very well with his playing. turn on this scence, close your eyes, and listen to it, its different.

I think everyone is over thinking this scene. The way I interpret this scene is quite simple. 1900 knew a duel was utterly ridiculous and un-necessary. Jelly obviously wants media attention, but 1900 has no interest in fame. 1900 wants to deflate that ego, so he parodies every song Jelly makes. Jelly plays soft, 1900 shows he can do it better. 1900 plays the second piece nearly identical to Jelly's. By this point Jelly is furious, and busts out his "Fingerbreaker" which is a tough piece to play. In the final insult, 1900 shows that he can indeed play a hot piano. In his final, "flight of the bumble bee" like performance (which is still music BTW), 1900 shows off his finger work much like Jelly did with "Fingerbreaker." Even Jelly acknowledges his impressive finger work(remember he drops his drink while trying to learn the finger technique). I could develop this more if I didn't have to be at work in fifteen minutes.

i think jazz is that spontaneous thing, not necessarily a song. remember that 1900 shows conne that there is a melody about each person in the ballroom, and his talent is transforming that abstract thing into music. plus, playing fast on the piano is about skill. partly, music is about touching one's heart, not just all about playing well.

Why the hell are you calling it a song??!?!? Who said that any of the pieces were meant to be songs? The piece that wins the duel is not "the crave" the one that Jelly Roll Morton played and then 1900. And if Jelly Roll could have done the same..... he would have done it. Duh.