MovieChat Forums > Follow Me Quietly (1949) Discussion > Handcuff technique

Handcuff technique

posted 16 years ago by Igenlode Wordsmith
4 replies | jump to latest

The final confrontation and struggle scene is quite effective... up to the moment when it is revealed that for some reason the detective has not closed the other bracelet of the handcuffs around his own wrist, but is simply holding it in his hand. Thus transforming the Judge's apparently insane struggles to send his opponent over the edge when they are locked together into a mere routine escape attempt....

Of course, it's very convenient since it means that the director can then reverse the tables and kill off his criminal cheaply without dragging the hero to his doom; but is this really a sensible handcuffing technique for an experienced detective? I mean, he could at least have cuffed his prisoner to something -- or cuffed his hands together, even. A single handcuff is a bit pointless!

~~Igenlode, cursed with a logical mind

Gather round, lads and lasses, gather round...

[–] FlamRatamacues 13 years ago

I took it to be that the detective was ABOUT to put the other handcuff on his hand, but when they came up to the falling water, "the Judge" freaked out and the best he could do was hang on.

[–] Igenlode Wordsmith 13 years ago

Interesting... I don't even remember watching this, though evidently I did!

~~Igenlode

Gather round, lads and lasses, gather round...

[–] FlamRatamacues 13 years ago

I guess your original post was several years ago. I wasn't paying attention to the date on it when I replied.

Well, maybe if you see it again, you'll enjoy it even more the second time!

[–] liscarkat (16476) 5 years ago

I think the lieutenant did put the cuff on his own wrist, but instead of clamping it down as he did on the Judge, he left it somewhat loose on himself. This allowed his hand to eventually slip through when they were fighting.