MovieChat Forums > All the Kind Strangers (1974) Discussion > The ending

The ending

posted 16 years ago by ashtontylo
7 replies | jump to latest

I felt that the ending was kind of too tame.It would make a lot more sense to me if Peter shot "Ma" and "Pa" (Keach and Eggar) in order not to experience "parental rejection" yet again.Or Peter kills himself in the last scene,just when Keach asks him to hand him the gun.

[–] Carrigon 15 years ago

Horrible ending to a lousy movie. Just awful. This would have worked so much better if the kids were really evil or a whole lot more deadly. This needs a serious remake.

[–] MIchiganJFrogg 11 years ago

As you said, a lousy movie, but the ending was particularly awful. It really seemed like the last scene was written by a different screenwriter who did not know what had happened up to that point. Suddenly you go from gothic horror with evil children holding them captive, to an afternoon TV movie type feel good ending. That monologue about how government social service agencies could help the kids seemed like it belonged in a Hallmark movie. Then Peter goes to town to get government help. Just a second- did everyone forget that Peter has murdered several people. The government might take a little interest in that too.
Why did I waste time watching this?

[–] ElectricWarlock 9 years ago

I half expected him to grab the gun and start blasting the kids to kingdom come like what happened in Who Can Kill A Child. But that probably would've been way too much for a '70s TV movie.

[–] lm362 8 years ago

No, no one forgot that Peter has murdered several people. Peter would have to admit this to the government agencies. That is why one of the children yells for Keach's character to not let anyone hurt Peter. This movie leaves you with the feeling that what Peter did will be understood and he will get a merciful sentence and the children will remain together. I liked the ending because it was so unexpected.

"Do All Things For God's Glory"-1 Corinthians 10:31
I try doing this with my posts

[–] lm362 8 years ago

I thought the ending was just fine, just unexpected. Rather than killing the adults like you'd expect, the adults reason with the older boy and urge him to get the proper help his family needs, and he agrees to this. Why would you want an unhappy ending. Is it not conceivable that Peter could finally realize what he has done wrong and want to own up to it?

"Do All Things For God's Glory"-1 Corinthians 10:31
I try doing this with my posts

[–] talisencrw 8 years ago

I watched this just yesterday, and really enjoyed it. 8/10 for me IMHO. The ending was just fine.

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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