MovieChat Forums > Body of Lies (2008) Discussion > Anyone else find this part disturbing (s...

Anyone else find this part disturbing (spoilers)

posted 14 years ago by Slash-9
26 replies | jump to latest

I'm pretty desensitized (sp?) to violence in film and have no problem watching 99% of violent movies, but the torture scene in this movie just really got to me somehow. I actually felt light-headed and even a bit sick. The smashed up fingers, the screaming, just what the hell they were going to do to him next, and the overall intensity of it. Maybe partly because it was so well acted, not sure. Haven't seen any similar comments, am I the only one?

[–] darkling27 14 years ago

I didn't find it that disturbing, but I admit when the finger was smashed with the hammer it took me by surprise. Up to that point I had been wondering why his fingers were tied down like that.

Focker, out.

[–] runneryogafreak 10 years ago

Yes. Agreed. The screaming heightened the intensity of the scene as well.

"Sell me this pen."

[–] hg_b1 14 years ago

Call me old fashioned but I'd rather imagine the scene like reading a book.
I don't care for the graphic violence displayed...because there's enough in real life around us.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MattHunX 14 years ago

Well, then perhaps you are simply not as "desensitized" as you may believe yourself to be, if such a boring scene could get to you, and made you feel light-headed. But, perhaps it wasn't even the movie. Maybe you just didn't feel so good from something, something you ate, perhaps?

I would not even call the whole scene intense. It was far from that. Can't say that the acting was anything special either.

"Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted"

[–] Shamtastic 14 years ago

I'd say that I'm pretty 'desensitized' to violence and I still felt a little queasy watching that scene. I've seen my fair share of violence, both real and in films and I was able to cringe when that hammer came down.

That idea aint' worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on.

[–] Holkospinner 14 years ago

I guess that qualifies you as being "desensitized". It's not something to be proud of, rather something that should worry you.

[–] Shamtastic 14 years ago

I never said it was something I was proud of, I was only saying it to highlight the fact that I've seen my fair share of violence. It's never been a good thing.

That idea aint' worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on.

[–] The LA Baker (799) 7 years ago

I have seen all kinds of horrific real life and movie violence. Literally the worst things you can think of, I have seen them all. This scene was quite difficult to watch. Not as bad as the rape scene in "The General's Daughter(1999)", which I actually looked away from, but still not easy to stomach.

[–] filabac 14 years ago

They were going to behead him with a small knife while filming it to put on the internet as a warning to their enemies. That was why earlier in the movie whenever they were going into a dangerous situation, they assured each other that they would kill each other rather then be captured.

[–] aniketagg87 14 years ago

One reason that you might have *thought* that you are desensitised to violence is because you were mostly exposed to QT kinda comic book violence, which is very gory and all, but you are laughing at it at the same time.

And well, I watched it on HBO India just now for the first time (I live in India) and didn't really notice that scene. I mean, I do remember it being there but it didn't really leave an impression on me.

[–] richimorton 14 years ago

I once watched a beheading video once - not really expecting much - I ended up pulling the plug on my computer (not good for the hard drive) because I could not stop it quick enough ! I don't think i've been the same since , definite mental scarring . The guy remained concious throughout , his screams turning into pig noises as they calmly sliced away with a small butchers knife . Some things should not be watched .

That which does not Kill me makes me Stranger . . .

[–] cenotaph-567-469380 14 years ago

i found it extremely disturbing. i also find it disturbing that some ppl replied to this saying they thought nothing of the scene. i feel like im desensitized to violence as well, ive seen a lot of viral videos on the internet, and i know fake footage can never be as shocking as genuine violence, but to know that that scene was inspired by extreme violence thats happening in the world today, i think youd have to be stupid to not be affected by it or to take pride in not doing so.