MovieChat Forums > 7 Men from Now (1956) Discussion > Final Shootout (SPOILER ALERT)

Final Shootout (SPOILER ALERT)


In the final shootout between Scott and Marvin, Marvin seems to wait for Scott to draw--then suddenly there is a gunshot and Marvin, looking suprised, dies without even having made an attempt to draw his gun. My question is: Marvin knew Scott and he must have known Scott's ability with a gun, yet he is caught completely off guard as if Scott had somehow cheated on the draw. It doesn't make sense.

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Hey Siggy,

It clearly seemed to me the report from Scott's gun was not heard until a split second after Marvin started to move for his guns. Of course Marvin's hands never even reached his guns before he was shot. If you remember earlier in the film, Marvin was in the saloon and practicing his fast draw, and he really did not seem particularly fast. However, when he was in the shootout with Scott, he hardly moved at all when you heard the report from Scott's pistol. Either Scott was really, really fast on the draw, or Scott drew first and simply beat Marvin. Since the camera was on Marvin, all we really know was the report from Scott's gun came an instant after Marvin began his move for his guns.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile


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Marvin's character carried his guns cross-draw, which in not conducive to fast draws.

And you gave her a land mine? Really?
Well, it seemed appropriate at the time.
- Ron Swanson

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When I saw that final scene, it blew my mind! Randy had a "perfect draw" combined with the fierce desire to kill Lee Marvin. Lee, on the other hand, was probably a little too confident in his ability to outdraw Randy. It reminds me of playing chess, when you are about to be checkmated, and out of nowhere, you see the killer move that puts your opponent away. All he can do is sit there dumbfounded, like Lee Marvin's character.

"Hey pretty girl, time to wake up."
-- The Cowboy, Mulholland Dr.

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Marvin had stated "Ready whenever you are." Essentially offering Scott the chance to make his move. Since we see only the POV from Marvin's character, we do not know for sure whether Scott did indeed make the first (and essentially ONLY) move.

I think there are two possible explanations for Marvin's reaction to having been beaten by Scott.

1. He was surprised that Scott did indeed make the first move.

2. He was surprised at how fast Scott was on the draw. After all, Marvin never even cleared leather.

Since we never see Scott draw, Boetticher has essentially left the interpretation to the viewer.

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We also don't see Scott draw in the first shootout of the movie.

Clearly, it's meant to be understood that he's impossibly fast. He's an icon, not a man. Marvin is completely shocked at his speed. He thought he was fast.

It makes perfect sense.

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I couldn't see Marvin go for his gun in that last scene. But then I didn't see Scott go for his, he was that quick.

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