In regards to the wrestling scene between Gregorius and The Strangler:
I don't usually react very much to such scenes but I found the tension affected me physically.
It was filmed very well and was not totally predictable at first as to how it would turn out or even who would really fight. Then I was pretty sure that Gregorius would win but I didn't know that he would die.
I agree, it was very tense. What was most interesting about it was that regardless of the outcome, it was pretty messed up for Harry because Nicholas had broken his wrist. So I thought it was pretty interesting for that, that this tension was for almost nothing. Great scene I agree.
sharethat this tension was for almost nothing
A year late but, it wasn't for "almost nothing" at all. As much as I enjoyed this film, I saw Gregorian dying the minute the fight started. And of course with him gone there is nothing to save Harry from Greg's son.
"That's what a gym teacher once told me."
I remember seeing that fight scene when I was a kid (around 8 or 9) and crying when Gregorius died. I hadn't seen this until earlier this year and thought that the fight was still as intense as when I was a child. I think what makes it so intense is the sounds of grunts and snorts from Gregorius and the Strangler. Also it was no finesse, just two big guys going at it and using no weapons like chairs. As one character says while watching the fight "The only way to stop them is to shoot them like mad bulls."
s to the left of me.
s to the right.
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!
Yeah that was pretty brutal for a 1950 film. They also seemed to be making a point in having Gregorius only use wrestling techniques while The Strangler constantly punched and kicked him.
What was up with the dying scene though when Kristo didn´t close the window as requested by Gregorius - was the glass broken so he ´couldn´t´ close it or did he leave it open on purpose? The latter doesn´t seem to be consistent with his genuine looking grief over the old man´s death though.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
The window was closed, the 'cold wind' that Gregorius was feeling was death's 'icy touch' if you will. When Kristo looks at the window the first time he sees it is already closed and realizes his father is about to die, hence the expression of grief.
shareThe window was already closed. Gregorius was feeling a death chill and Kristo knew it. But he went the motions of closing the window as a loving jesture to calm him.
shareIt was interesting watching in a theater with a crowd. Because its wrestling, at first, they were giggling along to it. But as the scene progresses, and the punches and headbutts started landing, you slowly could hear them shut up, and even begin wincing at the action.
shareWhat a wonderful scene. Two men with faces as if they were sown in leather, and beat up bodies going at it in the ring. There is a strange beauty to the whole way it looks. Both were slightly comical with Gregorius' belly, and both their accents and (lack of) vocabularies. But in the ring they achieve some dignity, especially in Gregorius' case. By the end of the fight he is a fully formed character and I personally was quite moved by his lines on his deathbed.
shareproper wrestling on the television at last.
Its that man again!!
Great line by Gregorius to his son after defeating Strangler:
"Dats what I do to your clowns."
Two men with faces as if they were sown in leather, and beat up bodies going at it in the ring.Great description!
Keep silent unless what you are going to say is more important than silence.share
The wrestling scene in Night and the City reminded me a lot of the jewellery heist in Rififi. Both are taut scenes with minimal sound; Rififi was silent and the wrestling scene was mostly grunts.
Keep silent unless what you are going to say is more important than silence.share
Yes it was one of the best scenes ever put on film.
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