MovieChat Forums > Gangster No. 1 (2000) Discussion > Best Murder Scene Ever

Best Murder Scene Ever

posted 18 years ago by GotaFeeling
18 replies | jump to latest

I think the scene where Bettany avenges Freddie's incarceration despite not wanting to was one of the most brilliant things ever captured in the history of pulp cinema. I'll let Ebert describe it:

"The sequence involving this murder is one of the most brutal and, it must be said, successfully filmed acts of violence I have seen. Chilling, how Young Gangster breaks down the door of Lennie's flat, shoots him in the knee, then carefully takes off his coat, shirt, tie and pants, because he doesn't want them bloodied in the events ahead. Then he unpacks a tool kit, including a hatchet, a hammer and a chisel. The attack is seen through Lennie's point of view, as he fades in and out of consciousness. Another piece of work."

I think it is the best on screen murder I have ever seen. Him being troubled as he engaged in acts of extreme violence, the friction of this truly letting his madness out, is what made the scene work so well for me. It was to me the centerpiece of the film. I could almost imagine the writer coming up with this one searing scene and then trying to build the rest of the movie around it. The rest of the movie was good, but this scene broke through that barrier and reached true brilliance.

Thoughts?

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jimmyobr 18 years ago

What I loved about this scene was the use of Malcolm MacDowels narration as paul Bettney approaches from the car to the elevator to the hallway to the door. It really built up the anticipation for me. I can still hear those words "I'm *beep* king kong!" in my head. Thats what made the scene for me, the lead up.

[–] GotaFeeling 18 years ago

I thought that was brilliant, too. Him reading the door numbers with increasing ferovity, knowing he is close, saying them faster and faster until--BAM! Kicks the door in. Shoots the man in the leg.

But then the scene takes a turn to something even greater. Gets calm. He undresses so as not to mess up his suit. Slowly, lovingly. It was a truly sadistic moment.

And for me the best part came right after that, shooting the entire death from the point of view of the victim as he fades in and out of consciousness. I have been in a few fights so a few of those shots were reminiscent of things I have seen. Very unnerving. The feeling of powerlessness as he gives in to his rage and starts to do things that cannot be taken back, despite obviously not wanting to....

Scenes like this make me glad to be alive, and that I am always looking out for new films like this.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jimmyobr 18 years ago

Are you refering to the garden assasination of Jimmy (I think that was his name) whilst he watered the garden?
Music can make art of mayhem, one scene that really got me and think what you will of this film im only referring to the scene, the house of lords being blown up to the 1812 overture in V is for Vandetta.
There was also a good scene in Guy Ritcies "Revolver" when Rat Liotta was held down by his bodyguards during an assasination attempt to the sound of moonlight sonata.
And my most favourite of all is the scene between dennis hopper and Christopher Walken in "True Romance" to I think the flower duet.

"Of all points of the compass death has but one direction, its distance measured in time and its destination final."

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jimmyobr 18 years ago

Ahh yeah, thought you might have been refering to that scene but wasn't sure because it isn't an assasination scene like on Gangster No 1, but thats a great scene where that guy gets the *beep* kicked out of him in the cafe and the duke gets killed. The critics didnt really praise LayerCake but i thought it was a great debut for Vaughn as a director. it must be dificult working with someone like guy ritcie and then trying to make a english gangster film without appearing to immitate him.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dannyguitar 18 years ago

"I think the scene where Bettany avenges Freddie's incarceration despite not wanting to was one of the most brilliant things ever captured in the history of pulp cinema. I'll let Ebert describe it:"

One small point is he does want to kill him. His whole plan is to let Freddie get killed and then take out his rival Lennie himself. At this point Freddie is in no danger of being locked up because he only gets put away for the murder of Lennie gangster committs. Freddie only gets put away because of gangster.

But the scene is great, a true mod not wanting his clothes spoiled! Love it!

***"What are you going to do, bleed on me?"***

[–] Devans00 18 years ago

I was waiting for one of the neighboors to poke their head in through the gone door. Those are some seriously soundproofed apartments.

The extreme calmness of the psychotic Bettany character is what made that scene so scary to me.

Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.

[–] halal_capone 16 years ago

That bothered me too! The door was knocked off its hinges and Lenny's screaming and shouting was loud, loud enough to alert the neighbours at the very least. Surely someone would have heard. That just annoyed me, especially given the protracted nature of the killing; apart from that I really enjoyed the film.

We got movie sign!

[–] BloodBang 16 years ago

it was good, but you guys have to check out that famous
murder scene of ANGST (1983), hope you are able to find it.

IRREVERSIBLE still contains the most brutal, most realistic and most impressive
one for me, though.

"With my sunglasses on, I'm Jack Nicholson. Without them, I'm fat and seventy."

[–] zed_95 16 years ago

I LOVE this movie! I am NOT one for needless violence or alot of gore in movies, but that scene was well executed (pardon the pun). I remember there was a time when I would watch just that scene everyday, usually before I went to bed lol. Just everything about that scene is well done. From the happy 60's ballroom music playing during the killing, to the smoke afterwords, to the taking a shower with his weapons after he is done. I LOVE it!

[–] Woodyanders 16 years ago

Yeah, that was an incredible scene. I love that he calmly and slowly removes his suit before killing the guy.

"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Warren Oates/And Steve McQueen"

[–] abcditseasy 12 years ago

agree.

[–] cathercreis 12 years ago

"You're one of the old stone..."

I don't know what it means put it seems Gangster almost respected Lenny in his last moments.

[–] Nobodyinnit 8 years ago

The buildup to the scene gives the impression Gangster is upset in some moments both before, during, and after the murder, but in other moments completely cool with it and enjoying it. Commentary alludes to the idea he's upset because he is human and what he's doing is inhuman and knows he is passing the "point of no return"; although this wasn't his first murder and we don't know how he felt about it the first time at all. Does he feel conflicted every other time he does it? Who knows. The ambiguity of his reactions to what he is doing is fascinating.

Later when he murders Maxie though you can see in the extended (cut/deleted) version of that murder scene, he's essentially recreating the scenario and atmosphere of Lenny's death for himself again; love song playing in the background, "can't hear what you're saying" line again (but doesn't care what Maxie's saying) and throwing him head first into some glass (out the window) to finish him off. Seems by this point Gangster has overcome feeling disturbed about it and developed a full-on hobby of it. He's thoroughly enjoying himself by this point.