Question about the butcher *SPOILER ALERT*
Who stabbed the butcher?
Was it suicide or did she butcher him?
[deleted]
MovieChat Forums > Le boucher (1971) Discussion > Question about the butcher *SPOILER ALER...
I imagine no one is responding to your question because you broke one of the cardinal rules of IMDB. You are not supposed to title a post with a spoiler. You are supposed to offer a general question that does not give away a key plot detail i.e. " POSSIBLE SPOILER: Question about the Butcher", NOT the title of the post- that you used.
shareI didn't think that there was any mystery in this movie but I changed the subject
share[quote]you broke one of the cardinal rules of IMDB. You are not supposed to title a post with a spoiler. You are supposed to offer a general question that does not give away a key plot detail[quote]
I have to disagree with the board's etiquette. I've seen people post a full spoiler in the composition box followed by a question. I commend the original poster for stating 'Spoiler' in the subject box. I have found some do not and thus the movie, is at times, spoiled for me.
//Signed//
Nikki
Blogger
you did not read all the thread or you might have understaood that my original post was because the OP originally did NOT use ' spoilers'in his title; but after reading my post, he changed the subject line and added 'spoiler'.so, good for him.
shareFilm, I guess I didn't read the rest of your post, and for that I do apologize. I meant no harm and I will make sure to read more thoroughly, as I like others to do before commenting.
Again, I apologize.
//Signed//
Nikki
Blogger
no worries! thanks for responding. we know we're in the same boat- we HATE it when others don't include 'Spoilers' in their titles!!all the best.
shareI think it makes sense to stay out of the Message Board until you have seen the film. Read all of the reviews, both External, User, and Newsgroup, but use the Message Board to pick up different ways to 'see' the film after watching it the first time. The Message Board should be thought of as a place to discuss the film, and you can't have a discussion if both parties are not fully aware of all aspects of the film. This should be a fundamental rule of The Message Board.
"I would prefer not to...."
Popaul says: "Mademoiselle Hélène; I've killed myself"
shareI know he says he killed himself but it fades to black at the moment when the stabbing occurs. He wouldn't have done this unless he wanted to hide the event. Was it merely to create a suspense ie: - has he killed her?
The other thought was that he actually kills her but as she is dying she fantasises he killed himself and the rest of the movie - the shot where the red flashing 'ocupe' light symbolising her heart stopping.
Just a thought.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&video id=1904946260
WOW!!!!!!!! Great thought there Sime-2. Didn't relate the occupe pulsing to her.
//Signed//
Nikki
Blogger
I personally think she did the killings and he was saying he did because he loved her so much and would have done anything for her. And when they faded out and back in and the knife was in him, I think she stabbed him.
Yay or nay on my theory?
//Signed//
Nikki
Blogger
http://visitorqueue.blogspot.com/
Hi Nikki,
With all due respect I think nay and my personal opinion is:
This is a minimalist and realistic film, so I think either your or Sime-2’s theories would be appropriate here. Yes, it sounds cool but I feel that they don’t fit in this film.
I frequently see people that like to clarify and analyze hidden meanings where sometimes there is none.
The ending, to me, was as straightforward as we saw it. He killed himself. Right before fading to black, Popaul says that because now she knows the truth he is so ashamed that he couldn’t see her the same way again, pointing the knife at her… Then we see a close-up of her face closing her eyes (that’s why it fades to black, her point of view), here you can argue that she was accepting her death (for love once again, as she suffered years back or just because she was face to face with a murderer), and as soon as she opens her eyes she sees that Popaul stabbed himself, for love or for whatever reason.
But that’s the beauty of cinema that it's so universal that we can perceive and interpret films taking into account our own experiences or fantasies.
Cheers.
Hmmm! I have to say I agree with you on this while digesting what you have just said.
I do have a tendency to look deeper into a movie than what's there because that's how I am. I think what's in front of you is so plain and boring so I try to make it more interesting.
I might have to rent the movie again.
Have you seen Violette? The lead lady in Butcher played the mother in Violette.
Thank you so much for the retort...I love retorts and value them and never dismiss nor down anyone for their thoughts.
//Signed//
Nikki
Blogger
http://visitorqueue.blogspot.com/
[deleted]
I think, from reading this thread, there's a danger in reading too much into a film. Sometimes what you take from seeing at face value is the right thing.
In terms of the red light on the lift at the end, I think it symbolised his death. Or maybe the death of something inside the woman. She'd loved before and been hurt, and when, after years, she allowed herself to trust a man, he turned out to be a serial killer;. Mix that in with the knowledge that if she'd met him sooner she might have been able to save him from himself, and the guilt of knowing that by keeping evidence from the police, she had left him free to kill again, and you can see how this woman will never be the same again.
And it's central to the film that he's the killer; there's a political slant to the story - when this man does society's killing on its behalf - from the butchery trade to war - he is hailed for it. But he is also a murderer. This seems to allow for some oblique comment on France's troubled foreign entanglements, as well as illuminating its look at the tensions between love and guilt, or society and faith and man's animal nature (bells vs squealing cats...)
I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. An unattractive man. I think that my liver hurts.
I personally think that the butcher killed himself possible as a sign of redemption.
shareYes it's crystal clear that Popaul killed himself!
As many others have mentionned above, the movie is not about twists in the plot and false culprits.
He kills himself because he cannot live knowing that Stephane Audran knows about his criminal doings. I think the idea of killing her instead doesn't even cross his mind.
I am not so sure this is spiritual or if it is i have missed something in this film. he killed himself because he had a concience and could not live with himself...know the truth and it will set you free...
The Guide To Self Enlightenment http://www.BestMeditate.info
Bingo! I think your inference is spot on, eerwicker. One of the possible themes I drew from my recent viewing is this dichotomy of civility vs. bestiality as represented by the two main characters. Headmistress Helene is so proper that her behavior seems downright Victorian (e.g., teaching formal dance complete with costumes and wigs, no displays of emotion or affection, very little touching, Popaul has to reqeust permission to kiss, etc...). Popaul the butcher represents primeval Man, making his living hacking bodies (e.g.,he presents Helene with a "bouquet" of lamb). Helene tries to civilize Popaul, but she can't change his nature. Come to think of it, the story kind of reminds me of the fable, "Beauty and the Beast."
Another possible theme I considered was the question of guilt. At some point, Helene finds evidence that makes Popaul a prime suspect in the serial murders, but she inexplicably (to me) refuses to report Popaul to the police and even hides the evidence. I wonder if Chabrol intended for viewers to ponder Helene's responsibility and portion of guilt regarding the murders. Her inaction exacted terrible consequences not only for the entire village but especially for her personally. The final scene of Helene shows a woman who herself has died spiritually, IMO.
I wonder if Chabrol intended for viewers to ponder Helene's responsibility and portion of guilt regarding the murders.At the table during the wedding Popaul remarks that Helene takes responsibility and that he likes that.
I'm a fountain of bloodshare
In the shape of a girl
In terms of the red light on the lift at the end, I think it symbolised his death. Or maybe the death of something inside the woman.I think both. To be occupied is to have something inside and the opposite is empty. His life has emptied and so, perhaps, has hers in a spiritual way.
I'm a fountain of bloodshare
In the shape of a girl