MovieChat Forums > Mine Own Executioner (1947) Discussion > What was the hidden event that was vague...

What was the hidden event that was vaguely alluded to?


There seemed to be something about babies, or Lucian's childhood that appeared to be the major event that fueled, or helped to fuel, Lucian's insanity. The scene of his tearing down the advertisment poster that featured a baby is another indication of some childhood trauma, maybe one involving his mother. What was this, anyone know? Did I miss something in another scene?

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I found that a bit odd too. IMO, the movie didn't hesitate pointing the finger at what we now know as post traumatic syndrome (from the war) for Lucian's problems. But he did appear so disturbed, I felt there were deeper causes that the film didn't appear to touch on.🐭

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Watched this yesterday for the first time and that is an interesting question. We aren't privy to the real reason behind his homicidal behaviour which is deeper than the obvious PTSD. However, the Charlie Oakes character who was severely treated by his parents and consequently bedwet, may have been an indicator of a possible Lucian early childhood experience of unwarranted punishment leading to repressed anger at authority, fuelled by his POW treatment where he was as helpless as a child receiving verbal and physical punishment from an overly strict parent. Just a thought.:) BTW, saw on the previous night an early episode (1987) of Inspector Morse in which Christine Norden played a small but crucial role. Didn't recognise her at all.

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