SIX OF THE BEST #33 – MEMORABLE FILM DEATHS!
Who doesn’t like a great movie death? Well, people who abhor violence and gore on the screen. But I am not one of those people. Thus, if done right in terms of combining emotional context and cinematic imagination, there’s nothing I like more than revelling or lamenting a character’s end in fine bloody fashion. Lastly, I hear you ask why no Zahler, Scorsese, Cronenberg, Miike, Peckinpah, Jackson, Fulci, Roth, Romero, Argento etc. on this list? So much death and only six make it, so please suggest any of the thousands I have missed off in the comments.
*** CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
ALIEN (1979) – “Do these eggs taste off?”
I think it may have been something Kane (John Hurt) ate or maybe something that ate him? Anyway, one of the most spectacularly surprising scenes ever still holds amazing power to this very day.
THE FURY (1978) – Separated at death!
This under-rated tele-kinetic thriller is a spiritual sequel to Carrie (1976). Adding a spy conspiracy plot to Amy Irving’s rites of passage character arc, it has a whip-cracking-pace and classic DePalma set-pieces. None more so than the explosive end of the baddie-in-black.
PSYCHO (1960) – Take a bath next time!
What more can be written about one of the most shockingly original scenes in cinema history? Not only did Hitchcock break all narrative rules killing off the main protagonist halfway through, he did it with one of the most ingenious uses of montage, music and murder ever.
PULP FICTION (1994) – The original “face-off!”
Marvin never saw it coming. But let’s face it – none of us did!
ROBOCOP (1987) – Toxic Wasted!
Whoever designed this action scene, no doubt Paul Verhoeven had much to say, delivered one of the most excessive demises in 1980’s cinema. The vehicle crash, the toxic waste, the melting bad guy, the steam coming off his body and the final disintegration are just cinematic perfection.
WILD AT HEART (1990) – Bobby Peru loses his mind!
David Lynch’s vibrant adaptation of Barry Gifford’s romantic thriller contains many colourful characters. Willem Dafoe’s Bobby Peru is a particularly nasty piece of work and he gets his comeuppance in an incredibly visceral and disturbing way!
The Cinema Fix presents: 
Pulp Fiction and Alien did have some of the more dirty/gross demise’s of its characters, though I gotta admit the dirty cop in PF getting shot in the crotch was a cheer moment. Psycho had more of a play on the mind feel to it, as audiences are left shivering thinking how bloody and terrifying Janet Leigh’s death was.
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Great post 🙂 Though the exploding Scanners may be more iconic, that bloody death in Videodrome of that rival boss is even more jaw-dropping 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Oh yes John. Great deaths indeed. Cronenberg is a master and his films could’ve occupied all six spots. His son’s film Possessor has some memorable gore too.
I think I chose The Fury as it is lesser known and shouldn’t be. The ending is unforgettable.
I wanted to use Bone Tomahawk too, but could not find the clip on YouTube. Probably a good thing as the scene I’m thinking of is horrific. Thanks for reading 😊
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Great list! And what a coincidence because only yesterday I re-watched Alien (1979) and the death scene you describe amazed me all over again. I don’t think I will ever get tired of watching it. I can’t suggest anything original, Leon, American Psycho and Seven had some original deaths, I guess, that’s what immediately comes to mind.
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Thanks, Alien is a virtually perfect film all round. Oh and Seven is a great shout. John Doe’s plan was stunningly imaginative, patient, sick and memorable.
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