MovieChat Forums > Man Hunt (1941) Discussion > Is it in any way normal to point a loade...

Is it in any way normal to point a loaded gun at another person, even...

posted 14 years ago by thao
10 replies | jump to latest

Is it in any way normal to point a loaded gun at another person, even though you don't intend to kill him/her? One gets the feeling that this is not the first time Thorndike does this. In fact I'm sure he says in the film that he has done this before. Now in my eyes it is not just plain sick, but also criminally wrong. Just think about it. If someone was found pointing a loaded gun at Obama would they get off easy, just because they said that they did not intend to shoot?

I don't see a huge difference in liking to hunt people to have the power to kill them and actually doing it. Yes the consequences are not the same but I think it stems from the same desire, same sickness if you will. Still, I think most people don't have problem with this part in the film, such is our hatred for Hitler. But I wonder how people felt about it in 1941. People did not know then what we know now. Did no one question the morality and sanity of Thorndike?

- No animal was hurt during the making of this burger -

[–] flan99 14 years ago

Oddly enough, a plan was actually developed to have a Sniper kill Hitler at his retreat in Berchesgarten.

Churchill wouldn't allow it.

[–] defiant-10 13 years ago

Many facets of human character which we currently view as "off-center" were either tolerated, considered mere eccentricities, or even admired in the era in which this film is set (pre-WWII Europe). What a White Hunter might consider to be amusing or routine to his life wouldn't jibe with what we "normal" people consider to be "right".

As for guns, you never point one at anything you don't intend to put a bullet through- and there is no such thing as a gun that isn't loaded.

What I had in mind was boxing the compass.

[–] just1Hitch 12 years ago

I believe that would be considered "assault with a deadly weapon" even if he never pulled the trigger.

I don't think I want to go to the pictures. Oh?Why not? I've seen everything worth seeing.

[–] tesab-1 11 years ago

It is not assault unless the actual crime takes place.

[–] just1Hitch 11 years ago

It is not assault unless the actual crime takes place.

From the attorneys.com site:

Assault can occur even if no one is actually physically harmed. Rather, assault occurs when someone threatens harm. This threat of harm must be intentional.

Examples of assault include swinging a baseball bat at someone but not hitting them, waving your fist at someone without making contact, and pointing a gun, loaded or not, at someone, while they are aware that you are pointing a gun at them.

http://www.attorneys.com/criminal-defense/criminal-assault/

Excuse me for talking while you're interrupting.

[–] gribfritz2 10 years ago

while they are aware that you are pointing a gun at them.

Wait, you disproved your own point! Hitler wasn't aware the gun was pointed at him.

[–] SteveH2002 10 years ago

while they are aware that you are pointing a gun at them.

Wait, you disproved your own point! Hitler wasn't aware the gun was pointed at him.

But, would it still be assault if a second party - not the person Thorndike was pointing the gun at, but the soldier who went on to arrest him - witnessed the act of pointing a loaded gun?

[–] whiskeyTango-06 9 years ago

the reason we hear the term "assault and battery" is because assault can purely be verbal (battery is when physical contact is made).

and you can indeed assault someone with words alone.

[–] IEatWords 10 years ago

The hunting for sport story was a facade as Thorndike was lying. After the fact, he was trying to save his skin. At the end of the movie, he finally admitted his intention to kill Hitler, after they killed Jerry. His stupid pride for country got the innocent girl killed yet the end to the movie made him out to be a hero. Lame.

[–] Ethereal-Cloud 10 years ago

I disagree. I think he changed his mind in the middle of the 'sport of the hunt' incident and decided to load his rifle with live ammo and make the shot.

To the OP's original question about firearms, as a 13 year old Boy Scout, we were instructed on firing .22 rifles and it was drilled into out head that you NEVER point a gun (loaded or not) at anything you don't intend to destroy.