MovieChat Forums > Escape (1940) Discussion > General von Kolb's Collapse

General von Kolb's Collapse

posted 13 years ago by Ecrevain
2 replies | jump to latest

At the end of the film, as Norma Shearer details how the General will have to arrest her and watch her tortured and eventually executed as his duty requires, he seems to succumb to an attack of some kind, heart or otherwise; was it alluded to earlier that he had heart trouble? Was he poisoned? What exactly did he suffer from that caused him to slide to the floor in the way he did? Was he overcome by emotional conflict at the thought of Norma Shearer's possible future versus his need to do his duty...?

[–] joeparkson 10 years ago

I think it was a medical condition brought on by stress. He has a similar, milder, attack earlier in the movie and mentions that his doctor has warned him about avoiding arguments and physical exertions.

I'm not a medical person, but perhaps he has high blood pressure? Or perhaps an epileptic?

I doubt it was a heart attack because he didn't seem in severe pain, just unable to move.

Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

[–] johnmarti59 (2356) 4 years ago

I was wondering the same thing until the poster below said the General had a heart? condition. So that makes sense.