Spoilers cut the ropes - The Hitcher (1986) Discussion

[–] theverylastboyscout 15 years ago

Mostly because that semi had the most amazing piece of special equipment: side mirrors.

Ryder would have seen anyone who tried to come near the ropes.
And then, he would have gone the Jerry-Reed-way "just put that hammer down and give it hell"

Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose. Smile, you *beep*.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 15 years ago

Cos if they cut the ropes or shot them, we would have had a crap ending to a great film.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

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[–] bogwart-1 15 years ago

Shoot the rope with a sniper? Have you any idea how hard it is to load and fire a sniper? And as often as not they disintegrate when leaving the barrel so that wouldn't work at all. Heh.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] theverylastboyscout 15 years ago

"Plus they were pretty thick ropes.
And doubled up. "

Therefore the ropes would have had to be shot with a sniper.
A simple bullet would never have done the job.
bogwart-1, you just didn´t get it.

Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose. Smile, you f.ck.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Snickg78 13 years ago

I'm sorry I'm two years late: Your response on this message board made my whole week. I thank you for turning around a crappy day.

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[–] bogwart-1 13 years ago

You're welcome. I'm happy that one person, at least, got it.

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[–] Musashi_MijaBloto 13 years ago

There is a 'dead area' where you see nothing in the mirrors in close vicinity.

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[–] BlackLabInLove 15 years ago

It would have been hard to just walk up and cut them, but I admit, I also wondered why they didn't try something? I loved the way they pushed Jim in there to "see what you can do" Lol.

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 15 years ago

The didn't so much "push" Jim in there to see what he could do.
I'm pretty sure Ryder asked for Jim.
That scene was Jim's last chance to stop Ryder, and Ryder set it up so he could not lose...kind of like the end of Seven.
The whole picture is about Jim's torment by Ryder just to kill him, the truck scene was Ryder's last chance at pushing Jim to kill him, and again he could not lose.
If all Ryder wanted to do was kill Nash...then why didn't he do it?

Jim kills Ryder...which is what Ryder wants.
Ryder kills Nash...just another death to him.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] xeriouxi 15 years ago

I wonder why none of the police officers came up with the idea of sending a man in underneath the trailer. You could crawl underneath the trailer from the very back where Ryder's mirrors couldn't see and then you could cut the ropes. He can't directly see Nash, anyway... just anyone who tries to get near her from the sides...

...and then the cops could unload all their guns on Ryder! >=D

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 15 years ago

I thought the cops were pretty stupid for relying on Jim to negotiate with Ryder. Overall, the cops were just plain dumb.

Again, missing the point.
The cops were not relying on Jim at all.
Ryder set the whole thing up and asked for Jim.

To Ryder, the cops were nothing. He had no interest in them.
As I previously explained, taking the WHOLE film's premise and point into account. Jim being sent into "stop" Ryder was EXACTLY what Ryder wanted.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

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[–] BlackLabInLove 15 years ago

"I thought the cops were pretty stupid for relying on Jim to negotiate with Ryder. Overall, the cops were just plain dumb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, missing the point.
The cops were not relying on Jim at all.
Ryder set the whole thing up and asked for Jim.

To Ryder, the cops were nothing. He had no interest in them.
As I previously explained, taking the WHOLE film's premise and point into account. Jim being sent into "stop" Ryder was EXACTLY what Ryder wanted."

I think we get the point, but my point is it's unrealistic. To me it's just bad writing when a film overlooks the obvious plot turns.
Police just would not push someone into a truck in that situation just because Ryder asked for him. It just wouldn't happen.
The cops all stood around looking useless and relied on a victim to negotiate the situation! Unrealistic.

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 15 years ago

Police just would not push someone into a truck in that situation just because Ryder asked for him. It just wouldn't happen.

So the options were.

1 Attempt to save Nash at the risk of Ryder killing her.
2 Take out Ryder, his foot comes of the clutch and Nash is dead.
3 Don't send Jim in, Ryder kills Nash.
4 Do what Ryder asked and send in Jim.

The cops all stood around looking useless and relied on a victim to negotiate the situation!

The cops stood around looking useless cos that is EXACLTY what they were...useless. This is why Ryder set it up like this, he knew the cops could do nothing other than whatever he asked them to do, Ryder MADE the cops useless (like Pitt and Morgan were useless at the end of Seven)...this is what Ryder wanted. Jim was their ONLY option.
I agree 100% the cops were useless...and that was the point of Ryder's plan.

The only way to save Nash was via Jim...this was the point.

Let me put it this way.
What do you think or expect the cops to do?

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Hewzy-LFC 15 years ago

Any cop in the right mind wouldn't go anywhere near Ryder, don't forget he had already taken out a majority of the force, a few cop cars and a helicopter. The guy was out of control and they were stuck in a no win situation. Thats why they had no choice other than to let Halsey enter the truck. Great movie and im gonna be watching it later.

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 15 years ago

Thank you.
Someone with sensible reasoning.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

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[–] TheReelMcCoy 14 years ago

Where is everyone's head at on this thread??

Put the gun against Ryder's forehead, pull the trigger at the same time pop the air brake. That truck isn't going anywhere.

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[–] mle143 14 years ago

Yeah but the cops would never take that chance incase something went wrong so their only choice was to have Halsey try to talk him down. Besides, I almost guarantee that Ryder was planning on killing Nash one way or another (it was the final "push" that Jim needed for him to realize that there was no stopping Ryder until he killed him himself) so there was a very slim chance that she would be saved eitherway.

-They'll catch you. -Yeah. Sure. So what.

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[–] HenryCW 14 years ago

After Halsey got into the truck and pointed his gun at Ryder, the latter had to watch him carefully. The police might have been able to approach Nash suddenly and cut the rope. Alternatively, the police might have been able to hide under the truck to get close to Nash. At least they should have tried.

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[–] Herreken 13 years ago

I was thinking the same thing. They could've had a cop with a radio watching Ryder and another cop with a radio under the trailer waiting for the "go ahead". I think it could have worked.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

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[–] TechnoTom 14 years ago

A truck's engine would easily overcome the resistance of its brakes.. if you could even get them on in time considering all Ryder has to do is die to engage the clutch.

The only way to save the girl would have been to get underneath the truck and jam the clutch in its disengaged position, so even if Ryder took his foot of the clutch pedal it wouldn't do sod all.

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[–] jeffandsarah-1 14 years ago

What Ryder wanted was for Jim to kill him, and thereby cause the death of Nash, thus Jim kills Nash and Jim is Ryder.
I dont know about american trucks but over here when you engage the clutch the vehicle is in neutral and doesn't much go anywhere, he had it in gear with a partially engaged clutch and the wheels champing forward on the brakes.
Sudden death - sudden clutch off - sudden jolt forward - sudden death.

I flinched.
Great movie.

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[–] Musashi_MijaBloto 13 years ago

But perhaps it could hold long enough to turn off the engine with the keys.

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[–] Musashi_MijaBloto 13 years ago

Yeah, hand break or turn off the engine with keys at the same time when shooting with the other hand. But I guess it would either have to be planned beforehand or a person figuring this out would have to be as cool and emotionless as a psychopath to be able to think up quickly such things in such a stressful situation.
Most of the people here couldn't come up with those ideas even when they are sitting in their cosy homes before computers.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] sap-4 12 years ago

I still think sliding heavy blocks around the wheels or positioning another truck (quickly) in front could have worked. If Ryder was distracted for long enough it could have worked. Also a spray of smoke would have blocked his vision too. But don't just stand there.

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 12 years ago

I still think sliding heavy blocks around the wheels

Heavy blocks the cops just so happen to bring with them as standard cop equipment?

Radio, check.
Side arm, check,
Shotgun, check.
Heavy block to put in front of a truck to stop it moving forward, check.
Police badge, check.
Batton, check.

Do you have any idea how big and brutal these 18 wheelers are?
Sticking a block in front of it would not do much. Maybe on your small family car yes...but a 18 wheeler truck?
These blocks would have to be pretty damn big and heavy and have several people just to move one into place...and I think Ryder would notice that.

I do love the way you word it as "sliding" heavy blocks into place.
What are they, blocks of ice?
I'll just casualy "slide" this 5 ton block into place, no one will notice.
Exaclty who would "slide" these heavy blocks into place, were the police meant to call in The Hulk?

positioning another truck (quickly) in front could have worked.

As long as Ryder was blind and deaf do could not see or hear a HUGE/LOUD 18 wheeler truck moving toward him. That plan could work.

Also the "quickly" part makes me chuckle. These trucks are not known for their "quickness". Yeah they can move, but they are hardly Bugatti Veyrons you know. But even if they did get a truck up to speed in order to get it into place "quickly", there is the opposite problem of getting it to stop "quickly"...which these trucks just do not do...unless The Hulk could just "slide" the truck into place?

If Ryder was distracted for long enough it could have worked.

Distracted by what?
Seriously what would distract Ryder long enough for him not to notice several police trying to move heavy blocks directly infront of him. Or for him not to notice a another 18 wheeler truck trying to block him off?
That would have to be one hell of a "distraction" right there. Still, if the police could call on The Hulk, that would be a distraction,

Also a spray of smoke would have blocked his vision too.

Of course, a spray of smoke would have blocked his vison, meaning he could not release the clutch, roll forward and tear Nash apart.
I mean we all know that a spray of smoke stops your foot from working.
Are you sure you are not confusing the killer John Ryder with honey bees? Sorry, could not think of a Hulk reference.

Anyway must dash. I have several heavy blocks I need to "slide" into place.

Jesus died for our sins. As he's already dead...sin away.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] denham 10 years ago

Of course the cops not cutting the ropes makes for more drama. In reality (or as close as you care) it would have gone on the lines xeriouxi suggested: someone crawls under the trailer all the way from behind it (where there's another truck, which is helpful) with a suitable knife (and it's safe to say the cops would have had a suitable knife). It wouldn't require hotshot snipers, supersize chocks or any of the other malarkey.

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."

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[–] Milkdoesabodygood 9 years ago

Spoiler alert, red light camera, reduce speed. Anyway, here is a wild thought, remember how in the beginning of the movie, Mr. Ryder jammed Jims leg into the gas pedal to pass the Volkswagen on the side of the road via the right leg, well what if Jim returned the favor to Mr. Ryder and grabbed his LEFT leg, to keep Mr. Ryder from popping the clutch out, but there was such a anti gay feeling back then, I don't think anyone would have grabbed another man's leg.
By the way, I don't feel so smart, pffftttttt it ONLY took me 30 years to figure that out, that's like hoping the girl U were drooling over in the park or whatever is STILL a virgin after 30 years, either her daddy, uncle fester, her brothers, cousins and/OR men in general haven't opened her up to the point where all Your little man could feel was feel was the cervix if he can even get in that far since she is probably got a belly like U by now. Yeah I think outside of the box, more like the sloppy hot box.

Spoiler alert for them spoil sports out there! Y'all like spoiled milk, stop crying over it!

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[–] zachanscom 12 years ago

or shoot it with snipers.(watch the youtube video of a sniper shooting a gun apart from a suicidal man)

the real reason is because the writer's a retard.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 12 years ago

Even if one were to dismiss those good points up there ^^^^.

I have a question...what snipers?
There were a small (dare I say "hick") police force in the middle of nowhere...in the mid 80's. I don't think they would have been trained in high precision sniping somehow.
They were not a highly trained anti-terrorist group.
Maybe they should have called in the British SAS? They are the best at what they do and could have flown over on Concorde in 5-6 hours. Then again trying to get all their equipment through customs may have been a bit of a problem.

I'm going back to my previous suggestion of calling in The Hulk, at least it slightly more believable.

I know how they could have cut the ropes.
They should have used one of those HUGE novelty sized pair of scissors that you see Mayors, etc use to open shopping centers.

Jesus died for our sins. As he's already dead...sin away.

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[–] Castortroy82 12 years ago

Just thought I'd bump this thread for all the brain dead people in here that assume a tractor semi is just like a car. I've operated these before at my job and let me tell you a few things. 1. You can't stall a semi by taking your foot off the clutch and not give it gas. It has way too much torque and will move forward without any trouble. 2. The air brakes wouldn't do anything to stop that truck. A truck will still move with it's brakes on unless it's in neutral, a standard clutch on a truck in gear WILL still move forward but it will shake from the resistance of the brakes. 3. You can't just stop a freaking semi by placing things under the wheels nor would pushing a car in front of it work (as if they could somehow attempt that miracle without ryder knowing) 4. The most important one even if the engine of the truck was cut off ryder could still just release the clutch and it would move forward enough to kill Nash. Just amazes me how people assume a semi truck is just like a standard car.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Castortroy82 12 years ago

Just had to get that off my chest, another reason the remake scene of this is so ridiculous, the killer actually guns the engine and jim is still intact for a brief second before his demise.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Littlebitsofgaming 12 years ago

Yeah, the remake is "watchable" and I honestly enjoyed Ryder in that version.
But there is nothing subtle about the remake...which is one of the main attractions to the original.
It is standard Hollywood gloss to a classic though and obvious "twists". Let's make the previously male lead now female, let's now do a new "twist" on the infamous truck scene and have the male be the one tied up. Everything is just so obvious and in your face, nothing is left open.
To be fair, the remake is more like a remake of the Hitcher sequel than a remake of the original.

Plus once you have seen Rutger as Ryder...nothing else comes close.

Still the remake is at least worth one viewing.

If Jesus was a Jew, why does he has a Mexican first name?

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] dipsydoodled 12 years ago

Dumbest question ever....

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[–] ScorpionTDC 9 years ago

Ryder probably would've killed her the minute anyone tried to

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