When is the moment that Gerard realized Kimble was innocent? - The Fugitive (1993) Discussion

[–] FearlessOneDay 8 years ago

I don't think there is an aha moment. Even after Gerard realizes Kimble is hunting for the real killer (a one-armed man), he still tries to shoot him dead as he's escaping from the government building, a scene that left me scratching my head. But you know, it's only a movie.

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[–] StrayCat1000 8 years ago

... he still tries to shoot him dead as he's escaping from the government building, a scene that left me scratching my head.

Also wondering about this ~ think he's just shooting at the glass, knowing it's bullet proof.

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"There's a lot of RAGE inside me about it". ~ Austin Matelson

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[–] mikeyg24 8 years ago

Whatever he was trying to do it could have been avoided if he didn't shout 'Richard'. What did he think Richard was going to do? Turn around and say 'Sammy old buddy! How's tricks?'

Hey! You're not old enough to drink! Now go and die for your country!!!

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[–] BillySlater (4097) 6 years ago

He wasnt sure it was him, he shouted it to see if it was him...

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[–] Sandman81 (1501) 4 years ago

He needed to confirm that it was him. He figured its a federal building with a prison and lots or officers and metal detectors at the entrance. No way Richard would be able to get out.

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[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

Holy crap, multiple ppl didn't realize that he was basically letting Kimble go in that scene. He wasn't shooting to kill.

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[–] BillySlater (4097) 2 years ago

I dont think he knew it was bulletproof before the first shot.

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[–] wallsofjericho 8 years ago

When he breaks into Sykes apartment and leads the police there.

Also, a key scene is where the Doctor tells him he saved the kid.

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[–] FearlessOneDay 8 years ago

I like that we aren't quite sure where Gerard stands on Kimble, who is his prey after all, until the end. It creates a tension if you think Gerard is capable of killing the fugitive at any point.

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[–] StrayCat1000 8 years ago

When was the exact moment Gerard realized this?

Also, when did Gerard's TEAM realize this??

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"There's a lot of RAGE inside me about it". ~ Austin Matelson

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[–] NikolajCostas1005 8 years ago

I don't think there was one single moment but somewhere between meeting Sykes and hearing that Kimble called Sykes, he started to paint the picture.

See you in hell, candy boys!

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[–] benoit_dono 8 years ago

When he was shown the call logs indicating that a call was made using Richard's car phone to Sykes.

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[–] RIPLucas 8 years ago

I agree Benoit. I think Sam had suspected Richard's possible innocence from the moment he realized Richard was searching for the one-armed man, and the phone call evidence confirmed it for him.

If you notice in the scene, he naturally immediately requests Sykes be brought in for questioning, but also quickly goes to view the arrest report. This report must include far more information than the reports one can find online at the CPD website because Gerard's report most likely includes a timeline of the night Helen died, which indicated when Richard arrived and left the fundraiser. Once Sam realized Richard couldn't possibly have made the call, he knew for a fact Richard was innocent.

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[–] Drooch (5333) a year ago

‘The CPD website’ in 1993? 🤣

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[–] QuenSolen (10) 10 months ago

I'm guessing that Lucas was using it more as a comparison then anything. He was probably trying to say that the reports one can generally find on the real CPD website these days don't contain nearly as much info as what Gerard must have in the hard copy reports he had on hand in the movie.

He could've been a bit more clear about that though, so I can see why you had that thought.

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[–] PaladinNJ (20310) 10 months ago

That's how I read it as well.

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[–] bouncing_ball_of_rubber 8 years ago

I get the impression it was earlier than that. From the first meeting with Chicago PD's detectives, he had a look of thinking the theory used to convict was a little weak.

Later, after Juliane Moore's doctor-character chased Richard away, Cosmo asked Gerrard why Richard would be "stupid enough" to come to a hospital crawling with cops. A man with an amputated arm then walked by him, next thing you see is Sam requesting a list of patients (how that flys in the face of medical privacy is beyond me) in the with prosthetic limbs with criminal records.

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[–] debrecenisrac38 7 years ago

There was also one crucial piece of circumstantial evidence: the murder of Mrs. Richard Kimble was a savage one, with little regard to the victim.

Compare that with risking life and limb saving an unrelated child, using his vast medical knowledge, pretty much screams "not a person a single minded track of lunacy". It does require the focus and empathy, that was totally void, when his wife was murdered. Since the local cops offered motive as premeditated murder to commit insurance fraud, this action is way out of character for a cold and calculating person.

One other thing, as shown by the capture of the other criminal who went back to his baby mama, fleeing criminals, especially hardened ones have a backup plan. Richard was the only convict, who, despite being rich, had no tucked away stash to just begin a new life, which is, yet again, very strange for a supposed cold and calculating murderer, the type Gerard used to deal with.

I live in the Gordius Apartment Complex, my interior designer was M.C. Esher.

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[–] McQueen1980 8 years ago

he lets the audience know when he follows that black unarmed man into that section of the hospital

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[–] Geek_XX 8 years ago

I think it was after he visited Sykes and thought there was more to the story than what was believed so he had his guy check phone records to see if Kimble was telling the truth about his innocence otherwise why would he have that information checked out if he didn't think he were?

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