Questions, Comments.
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Valdez Is Coming
gordon3-1 — 20 years ago(December 12, 2005 02:35 AM)
First of all, what was the story with Davis? I didn't quite get it. Did he actually free Valdez or was he lying? And if he did actually free him, why did he do it? I don't understand his motivation.
Second, has anybody read the book that the film is based on? I'm just curious as to whether this plot point is actually explained in the book or not. Also, how faithfull is the film in regards to the book? I've read over the plot outline and the plot seems identical.
Anyway, thanks in advance. -
gary_overman — 18 years ago(December 23, 2007 05:42 AM)
To answer the first question: yes, I think that he actually did free Valdez from the cross. As to the 'why', that would be the $64,000 question. Perhaps he did have some small amount of humanity, or it could have been anger at Tanner at being rejected for employment, and he wanted to get even for this. These are just guesses, however.
I have not read the book, so I can't answer the other question. Sory. -
ScarletPimpernel64 — 17 years ago(April 24, 2008 03:55 PM)
It's been years, but I've read Leonard's novel, which the film is amazingly faithful to. Yes, Davis did cut him loose. Why, I can't remember. (Now I need to read it again, if I still have it.)
I think he did it just out of pity. He was upset because Tanner didn't hire him, and it was also a 'what the heck' attitude.
"So what else is on your mind besides 100 proof women, 90 proof whiskey, and 14 karat gold?" -
corgreg — 17 years ago(August 24, 2008 03:25 PM)
I just read the book recently and Leonard never gives a reason why he cut him loose, but it's clear for several reasons that he did do it. My only conclusion is that Davis has such a weak character that he simply hasn't the guts to let Valdez die that way. He's an interesting guy for a Leonard novel. Most of Leonard's characters are either strong or just bad guys. Davis is a bit different and so is El Secundo, as it turns out in the end.
Some one in this forum says he would have liked to see Tanner shot. I thought that would happen too, but Leonard is a shrewd judge and Tanner's fate is a worse one for him than death.
Leonard does it again in "Forty Lashes Less One" and :Unknown Man #89" -
ScarletPimpernel64 — 17 years ago(August 24, 2008 04:55 PM)
I think by cutting him loose, that doesn't make Davis a weak character. If anything, it's a strength. Actually, but not shooting Valdez at the film's end, Davis is showing the strength he has gained, perhaps from being around Valdez.
"So what else is on your mind besides 100 proof women, 90 proof whiskey, and 14 karat gold?" -
mlbroberts — 17 years ago(October 13, 2008 01:06 PM)
I just saw this film for the first time. I think maybe you give RL too much credit. He's a worm, beginning to end, and a cowardly one, but a survivor. By cutting Valdez loose and not shooting him at the end, he was just being afraid of Valdez, because Bob had a way of surviving things and getting his justice.
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S_Leone — 12 years ago(November 03, 2013 01:09 AM)
i think he done it out of humanity too. he had nothing to gain from freeing valdez. he did not know valdez was going to come gunning for tanner. and also i think it makes his character more interesting and slightly enigmatic. writers will sometimes make a character do something which surprises the audience