MovieChat Forums > Journey to the Center of the Earth Discussion > Icelandic guy

Icelandic guy

posted 15 years ago by McTaffity
22 replies | jump to latest

Good film, but I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the terrible treatment of that poor Icelandic guy; he was bossed about from the moment he rescued James Mason and regarded by the whole expedition as nothing more than a donkey. I know Mason's character was supposed to be a bully, but I still think it adds a flaw to what would otherwise be a fine family film.

On a different note, I couldn't help noticing the irony that the Icelandic chap wouldn't shoot Count Whatsisface for murdering a human being, but was happy to throttle him to death for eating his duck...

[–] ducdebrabant 15 years ago

Well he's the only one on the expedition who's hired for his physical labor. He's a peasant, basically, and this is not a classless society. Boone is probably paid something to be Mason's assistant, but he has academic qualifications as a geology student. Karla has always helped her husband with his work. Hans needs to be told what to do on a scientific expedition. He has no basis for making independent decisions. He's probably never even been in a cave. A donkey is basically what he is -- brought along to do physical work and carry things.

Killing Saknussem, when he finally does it, it a crime of passion. He loves the duck, and Saknussem killed a dumb and helpless animal, not a human rival. But I also take the killing as a delayed reaction to the earlier crimes. The fact that Saknussem has poisoned one man and shot another certainly adds a justification to the killing.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] cusca 14 years ago

Read the novel and check the treatment Verne gives to the Icelandic guy, you'll find out that even worse for the poor guy on the book. Anyway I think the book is better and a more fascinating journey than this amusing but kitsch movie.

[–] babydolphin8 14 years ago

That was the funniest part of the film a human perpetuating violence on a another human being for eating his pet duck.

[–] schwatime 12 years ago

What I couldn't help thinking about was this: true, they ended up surviving on mushrooms, apparently a complete food in terms of nutrition. And I assume the duck ate that as well. But they didn't know there would be mushrooms when they started the trip. So they either planned on carrying enough Duck Chow to make it all the way down, or planned on eating the poor thing eventually.

[–] SpiltPersonality 13 years ago

I have not read the book. Does this stick fairly close to the story, or stray like most movies do?

SpiltPersonality

[–] diddymuck 13 years ago

goes completely in a different orbit altogether. Only the Arne Sachnausum connection is left.

[–] SpiltPersonality 13 years ago

Thanks.

No surprises I guess.

I haven't read much (any?) Jules Verne. I'm more a H.G. Wells and Alexandre Dumas reader, but I'm not surprised that there are many liberties taken.

I never understand their reasoning...

SpiltPersonality

[–] Strazdamonas 12 years ago

Its very close compared to most other adaptations. Mysterious island comes to mind, which pretty much broke every rule the book made. It had absolutely nothing to do with the movie save for first few minutes.

Most of the time it is done because the script writer is usually an idiot and thinks he know what audience likes more, example - making love stories in Vernes books, as J Verne has never wrote a book about a love story, and was even criticized for it, but almost every movie adaptation somehow makes whole movie centralized about some silly love story.

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Applied Science? All science is applied. Eventually.

[–] c7c7c7r 13 years ago

Gertrude was the star of the show.

[–] mark-1589 13 years ago

Despite what one poster wrote, Hans did not kill the Count - the others pulled Hans off him. Then, the typical Hollywood convenient timing, the Count accidently fell to his death. So justice is done without any of the main characters having to dirty their hands.

Otherwise this inconsistent reaction to the Count's different misdeeds is easily explained. Although he was a "juror" in the Count's trial, he felt dispassionately towards him and felt a sense of obligation due to their families' histories. But his reaction to the slaughter of his beloved pet he took very personally and became enraged. As another poster writes - it was a crime of passion. Anyone who has ever had a beloved pet would understand.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] McTaffity 13 years ago

Are you seriously suggesting that just because I don't know the name of the obscure actor who played Hans(!), I shouldn't care that his character was treated like dirt in a family film?

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] McTaffity 13 years ago

Well, you're wrong. Oddly, I KNOW what I care about.

Also, the name of the actor or character has no relevance to my point.

And, I only said it was a flaw in an otherwise fine family film - hardly a condemnation. I have taken the time to comment on IMDB because I enjoyed it. If you believe the film to be perfect, YOU are the one looking to be offended.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] bradford-1 12 years ago

I don't care how hungry I may get. I'm NOT eating raw duck, or any other fowl. Gertrude would have nothing to fear from me.
"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] iainhammer 12 years ago

Makes two of us, Bradford-1!

[–] ncdwbmk6 10 years ago

I don't care how hungry I may get. I'm NOT eating raw duck, or any other fowl. Gertrude would have nothing to fear from me.

Makes two of us, Bradford-1!

You even been hungry, Bradford-1 and iainhammer? Not just ready for supper. Hungry enough so that your belly swells? You'd eat it. You'd fight for the bones, too.

[–] originalcomputerhandyman 10 years ago

I have seen the actor that plays Hans -or someone that looks just like him in an old monster movie. I think it was "Reptilicus". If it was him he was working under a different name.

[–] dbrockskk1 10 years ago

lol Is it really that hard to type "Hans"?

suzycreamcheese RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008