One of the most frightening scenes in cinema. A duet. A standoff. Whistler’s Mother with a shotgun vs. The Man Out There In the Dark. A recognition of the worthiness of the foe. From both sides. Neither one will back down. Believers, both of them, they are ready to break a Commandment. In the meantime, they sing a duet. About Jesus. A standoff of faith. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about this scene.
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Like much of the rest of the movie, that scene is just perfect. If someone was shooting it today, they’d probably choose to have shrieking, intense music behind it to manage the viewers’ emotions. As filmed, that scene is so, so quiet. It’s almost languid. Lillian Gish barely moves, not even blinking, BUT you sense her strength. The blend of lurking evil, religion-false and true, quiet human strength and determination, and the atmosphere and visuals is unlike anything else I have ever seen.
I said “religion,” but I should have used “faith.” That better represents what I meant.
DBW – it really is such a special scene. The candle whiting out the sight of him outside, and then, with the darkness again, seeing him gone. Terrifying.
And yes, I love the underlying battle between not just two people – but two ways of believing, one inclusive and loving and helpful, and one legalistic, hypocritical and cruel. Yet both are willing to kill the other.
Brilliant stuff.