MovieChat Forums > Death Wish (1974) Discussion > About The Women In Series Like These....

About The Women In Series Like These....

posted 9 years ago by pinki3000-140-321411
21 replies | jump to latest

....Look, I know it's a macho revenge fantasy thing for macho guys (a nice, left-leaning, peace-loving pacifist turns into a killer of violent criminals because because 'real men are killers' or something) to watch....but would it have hurt for the writers of this series to have female main characters who aren't there just to be disposable victims?

What about some females characters who don't get raped/killed? What's wrong with a strong female policewoman or even a supporting female vigilante or perhaps a story that doesn't involve violence towards gals, period?

What about a Death Wish flick involving terrorists or a crazy NeoNazi gang or something not involving "Let's rape & kill a lady".

I know it was the 70s and no, I'm not some fanatic who sees sexism everywhere. But this movie series REALLY trashes female characters.

Why would it be so hard to have at least one female character to survive all the flicks relatively unscathed? Would it have hurt to have the daughter manage to recover or something rather than get victimized repeatedly.

It's ridiculous.

Look, I understand that vigilante flicks exist. That's not the issue but the premise around it reads like some macho reactionary fantasy that explicitly attacks peace, non-violence and gender equality. He isn't just some guy who's family's killed and goes on a vigilante rampage....he's an intellectual progressive, left-leaning pacifist guy who's female family is raped & killed and goes on a vigilante rampage with no strong or unharmed women or girl characters to be seen anywhere.

Okay, I understand the police was corrupt and ineffectual and I understand people back then were frustrated because police back then were too ineffectual towards getting the worst criminals. I also am not bashing Conservatives (It's Far-Right Wingnut extremism I hate, there is a difference), so please no calling me some "libtard SJW wimp" or whatever....besides a "bleeding heart" beats a "heart of stone".

Does anyone else think this series is misogynist as hell?

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

Not every movie needs a "bad-ass" woman. It's just unrealistic. Women are victims of crimes committed by awful men. I don't mind that being portrayed in the movies, but I am not a fan of rape scenes. They aren't necessary. I don't need to see women's clothes being torn off or their assholes spray painted. That's fucking gross. Show a guy smacking her or pinning her and slowly walking towards her implying he's going to do something, but I don't need to see simulated rape. It's fucking gross and unnecessary.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

I think in a strange way that was part of the appeal of the films. It being so explicit where there was nothing around like that at the time but yet it heighten the danger so many felt which made the films culturally important.

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

I think that's probably true. I also think it says something about someone who enjoys watching that.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

I personally never enjoyed that. I usually skip those scenes and when I rewatch it but from my observation, granted I didn't grow up in that era, I think that's how it might be. Though I didn't experience that that's how it must've been for so many victims and they probably hoping someone would venge them in this case Paul Kersey but it is fiction. In real life nobody redeems them.

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

I don't disagree with you, I don't doubt there's a type of person who likes watching that. I'm not a fan of rape scenes AT. ALL. Not to say I haven't watched some disturbing shit - Silence of the Lambs, a good horror or thriller, even some action movies - but rape is too much. Not to say it can't be portrayed. It's a part of life and if it's a part of your story, include it, but less is more imo.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

After like the 90's there has been a huge exploitation of gore movies with extreme rapes, incest, and everything in between. Not surprisingly crime has gone up and teenagers are more desentized and taking more drugs. I think in before the 70's there was the same with exploitations type films but crime was more ignored. Now they are more harsh penalties. Now there is also more common extreme porn like rapes, incests, taboos, piss, shit, fucking your step father, aunt, I've met plenty of teenage girls who look innocent and pretty but are into such hardcore shit or are dying to be a part that of cause they're into it. Because of these types of movies and medias. Where teens wanna try something new and exciting.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

Death Wish received mixed reviews upon its release because of its support of vigilantism, but it affected US audiences and began widespread debate over how to deal with rampant crime. The film's graphic violence, particularly the brutal rape scene of Kersey's daughter and the explicit portrayal of Kersey's premeditated slayings, was considered exploitative but realistic in the context of the US atmosphere of rising urban crime rates.

[–] wrlord (1081) 3 years ago

You obviously didn't live in NY in the 70s.

[–] seagal72 (1828) 3 years ago

It's not that you're a SJW/Liberal/wimp (although I have my suspicions?)
The one (all important) aspect you fail to grasp is that Paul kersey only becomes a 'vigilante' *AFTER* what happened to his wife/daughter.
Had Jeff Goldblum (and Co.) home-invaded the house of Bronson (minus 'Gun') and his family in the opening....then we wouldn't have a movie....or at best a 'different' variant?

Imagine not grasping the 'basics' of a movie called 'DEATH (fucking) WISH'....Just to sate your SJW/Liberal/Wimpish demeanour?

[–] thenewnexus (1905) 3 years ago

They made Peppermint with Jennifer Gardner and atomic blonde with Charlize thereon. Neither were that good.

[–] TheArgentinian (6429) 7 months ago

AB is a modern cult classic.

[–] SandyR (7345) 2 years ago

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