MovieChat Forums > The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) Discussion > Plot hole in the Plot hole

Plot hole in the Plot hole

posted 9 years ago by ABN-Para
12 replies | jump to latest

In the "Goof" section there is a "Plot Hole" that reads: "It would have been easy to tell that Valance had been killed by a bullet fired from a rifle, not a bullet fired from a revolver."

Stoddard was carrying a Colt 1862 Navy Cartridge Conversion, which was able to fire the 38 WCF cartridge. Tom used Pompey's Winchester model 92, which also came in the 38 WCF cartridge.
Since the only medical attention that was given to Liberty was "Whiskey, Quick!!........Dead" I doubt they called out 'CSI: Shinbone' to do ballistics tests.

[–] DeepFriedJello 8 years ago

Yep, not a plot hole.

[–] jonathanrspalding 8 years ago

Yes, he was drug through town then buried. No one cared to look further

[–] astockton_uk 8 years ago

Interesting that after firing his rifle, Tom hands it back to Pompey. If anyone sees the black man holding a smoking gun, is Tom going to let Pompey take the rap?

[–] vinidici 8 years ago

If anyone sees the black man holding a smoking gun, is Tom going to let Pompey take the rap?

I assume you're jesting. That kind of cowardly, deceitful and dishonorable behavior is as far from any trait of any character John Wayne ever played as east is from west. The rifle probably belonged to Pompey.

Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

[–] astockton_uk 8 years ago

Of course I'm joking!

Anyway, in spite of what was said in the reveal scene, Tom didn't commit "cold-blooded murder." He shot Liberty to save Ranse's life. No jury of his peers would have convicted him.

And I doubt that the gun belonged to Pompey, who after all was Tom's employee. Tom was going into the cafe to check on Ranse and Hallie, and he didn't want to be seen carrying a rifle with a hot barrel. He gave it to Pompey to hide.

[–] phillipsdan83 (98) 5 years ago

People knew about trajectory even then, would have understood that Ranse couldn't have done it, and in the real world probably would have suspected Tom, but Ranse (while humiliated at the same time) would have pointed out that there was no legal proof it was Tom, and no one really gave a crap about Valance other than his cronies anyway. However, this is drama we're talking about, not a documentary.

[–] Costumer (1785) 4 years ago

You are assuming someone actually cared. They hated Liberty. And there were no CSI labs around to check that. Criminal investigations were simple and direct. No one was going to check trajectory or angle of entries.

[–] kwestmo (4114) 4 years ago

you are correct. No one cared

[–] phillipsdan83 (98) 4 years ago

"no one really gave a crap about Valance other than his cronies" is exactly the same as "no one cared.

[–] kwestmo (4114) 3 years ago

I know it was the same. I agreed with you

[–] phillipsdan83 (98) 3 years ago

That was meant for Costumer (2690).

[–] KutWrite (1220) 4 months ago

Yes. Even today (2023) the FBI crime lab has been shown to stifle or concoct evidence to support a desired outcome.

CSI or not, they'd have stuck with the official fairy tale.