MovieChat Forums > Odd Man Out (1947) Discussion > What would WE have done ???

What would WE have done ???

posted 17 years ago by Luisa60-1
2 replies | jump to latest

Since I watched this most favourite movie of all time, and masterpiece from Carol Reed the first time ( 30 years ago - I was 13 when I watched it the first time, and since then I simply do LOVE "Odd-man-out)I really have cudgeled my brain: What would I have done, being in Rose situation? We feel sympathy for Johnny from the very first beginning of the movie - .Johnny wanted to avoid using the guns and finally he never intended to shoot someone. It just was an accident due to the scuffle. "Did I kill that fellow?" Johnny asked so many times. I mean he really cared about what he had done.
So we could ask ourselves: What I would have done being in Rosie´s position?( She was not after the reward!) She certainly COULD have hidden Johnny upstairs in the sleepingroom and the police wouldn´t have found him there, would they? You could recognize her sympathy for Johnny, her worry about his health in her eyes....(but her husband "had" to do his damn duty!) And how much Johnny wanted to stay in the warm and quiet house!(Until he heard them argue about him and finally what Rose´husband said about him, caused him to leave - but it would have been more than easy to stop him from leaving, being in this weak condition) It´s soooo heartbreaking to see, that Johnny has to leave again , hardly able to stand up or to walk - outside in this terrible rain and into the cold, which soon turned into snow....I wouldn´t have let him go again!...Everytime I watch it, Rosie´s husband makes me upset!....I am quite sure, if her husband would have agreed to care for Johnny and to hide him in the house - she would have done that. But this damn husband had not better idea than offering him some of his whiskey to "help" him...
Everytime we see Johnny he becomes weaker, and he simply can not find a warm place to rest, people to care for his wounds, it´s a long and sad odyssey but the end, even though it is so sad, is the best for both!
Absolutely remarkable is, how much James Mason is able to "talk" only with his eyes, expressing his blank despair, even when he doesn´t say a word with his unique voice- his performance is sooooo gripping...Of course I also have to mention all the other actors in that film, which spimply also gave a terrific performance, everyone of them played just soooo natural and simply perfect!
WHAT A UNIQUE MASTERPIECE !!!BEST FILM I´VE EVER SEEN!!! Will always be my favourite of all times.

[–] manderstoke 10 years ago

My favorite film of all time, too. In answer to your question, hell would have to freeze over before I would turn James Mason away

[–] Forlorn_Rage 9 years ago

Good thread idea, Louisa! Very apt too because I put myself in Rose' position and wondered what I'd do.

Nevermind James Mason's handsome face and phenomenal acting prowess. Would I have taken and cared for a wounded fugitive who may or may not threaten my life and the lives of others? These are the options I would consider:

1. I could call the hospital who would treat him, but then Johnny would be arrested and executed, so it's just as well to listen to him and adhere to his wishes of letting him stay in the house.

2. On the other hand, if I had a very good doctor friend, I could try to convince him/her to treat Johnny without bringing the law into it. In which case, for our own protection, take his gun, give him some food and water, then have him be on his merry way. :)

Anything is better than letting a dying man back out into the cold when he pretty much is helpless anyway.