Just rewatched this eariler this week. Man, what a great flick. I do notice one nit or two...
(SPOILERS, mind you)
I can't see how anyone could live with a hole shot in thier neck. I mean, I appail to the "Travis dies" theory, but still. I find it unlikely that he didn't even so much as flinch when Sport shot him.
I mean, I appail to the "Travis dies" theory, but still. - That Monster Guy
Uh, excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does that mean? Specifically, what does "appail" mean?
As far as Bickle surviving a neck wound, well, it would depend on where the wound was made, wouldn't it? Let's keep in mind (and I hate using another movie as an example) that in the original Planet of the Apes, Chuck Heston (Taylor) got shot in the neck, and he, too, lived.
As for how Travis could get shot by Sport and not flinch, well think back to that scene in the film where Bickle is working out, and toughing himself for his "mission". At one point, he holds his fist over the fire from the oven. It seems to me, that Bickle was working to make himself immune (as much as possible) to pain.
"You talkin' to me?"
I suppose one could survive a neck shot, as long as the shot missed the jugular vein. And the carotid artery. And the spinal column. And the windpipe. See? Pretty easy!
The Travis Dies theory is that the belief that at the end of the film Travis actually does die and that the last ten minutes or so is his dying thoughts or what he wishes happens because of his actions.
"appail" is my bad spelling. Sorry.
I love this film.
There you go again. I thought you loved Jodie Foster?
Jodie Foster is in this film, Dutch.
So were Peter Boyle, Albert Brooks and Cybill Shepherd.
Man, what a great film. De Niro really rocks here. Also, a great score by Bernard Herrmann. Unfortunately, also one of his last. The main theme stays in my head, even 28 years later.
Leonard Harris (Palantine) was the drama critic for WCBS-TV in New York City prior to his taking this role. According to IMDB, his only other acting job was as the NYC Mayor in Hero at Large.
Palantine's campaign headquarters was on Broadway, in the mid-50's. It was formerly a Chevy dealership.
Also, a great score by Bernard Herrmann. Unfortunately, also one of his last.
One of his last? His very last. He died the night he completed it.
Bernard Herrmann also scored Brian DePalma's Obsession, which was released in August, 1976, six months after Taxi Driver.
Nitpick:
As a serious Presidential candidate, what's Palantine doing in a cab alone? Wouldn't he have Secret Service protection constantly by that time?
At what point is a candidate entitled to Secret Service protection, anyway? Once they get the nomination of their party, or sometime prior, when they're deemed a serious candidate?
You talkin' to me?
In the final shoot-out it looks like the shot at Travis's neck just skimmed the skin rather than scicking in. The bouncer seemed to take a fair ammount of pain.
I can't see how anyone could live with a hole shot in thier neck.
Check out the third season of 24. Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) gets shot in the neck. But, an hour or so afterward, he's running CTU, albeit with a large bandage on his neck.