LIMO SCENE?

[Belkin]

I love this movie. Saw it first time around in the cinema and countless times since. One thing thing has always bothered me, the rape in the limo! Why? Yes, it add's to the NOODLES character because of what he is (and I'm no way excusing rape). But, why, in cinema terms does it go on so long! The guy driving the limo eventually stops and politly ejects NOODLES. The scene could have begun and ended several moments earlier with the same outcome. Never did get it?

[Garadonna]

to show that rape is really unpleasent to do, the longer it goes the more painfull to watch. i was surprised too cos it was just after a realy good happy dance scene.by the way does any one else think deborah is HOT

[Ramon]

You probably know this but the driver of the limo was played by Arnon Milchan who produced the movie.

[cigar joe]

No I do not think Deborah is hot, now Jennifer Connely yes.

[Cusser]

Young Deb (Connelly) is hot, had star quality even at that age; older Deb (McGovern) not, bad casting.  Current Connelly still hot.

[cigar joe]

yes, yes, & yes

[Belkin]

The question remains.....why does the scene go on for so long?? To me, it's a bad choice, in cinema terms. For such an inventive director, it seems terribly out of place. Was LEONE trying to outdo SAM PECKINPAH, as in the dreadful STRAW DOGS? I find it a very sloppy scene. Very much like the rape in A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE! .  

[Simon]

Belkin, have a look at an old thread started by Aaronson. General Discussion, Page 12, Do women like the rape scenes? Some very interesting points.

I totally agree with your point. I truly love this film and have watched it many many times in the last seventeen years.
I actually fear this scene and wind it forward every time I watch the film. It is truly horrible and does certainly go on for too long. The scene is necessary as it shows gangsters to be the dispicable, evil people that they generally are but the duration of it spoils for me, an otherwise perfect film.

[THE BIG MAN]

I love this movie. Saw it first time around in the cinema and countless times since. One thing thing has always bothered me, the rape in the limo! Why? Yes, it add's to the NOODLES character because of what he is (and I'm no way excusing rape). But, why, in cinema terms does it go on so long! The guy driving the limo eventually stops and politly ejects NOODLES. The scene could have begun and ended several moments earlier with the same outcome. Never did get it?

Totally agree.  When the film had its Premiere at the Cannes film festival in 1984 Leone and De Niro came in for some strong criticism for the rape scenes-  After this De Niro then  refused to do any more publicity for the film (fuelling rumors director and star had a falling out over these scenes).  When De Niro gave an interview for the opening of the film Falling in Love months later - he talked about the Limo scene in OUATIA -"It made its point-but went on".