Holden has to be shot three times – stagger forward – turn back – turn the other way – be shot one last time and fall face first into the pool. One take. That takes not only acting chops and make-believe chops but also athletic chops.<\/p>\n
One long take of an actor being shot multiple times, twirling this way, that, before plunging himself into the pool is old-fashioned film-making. It’s also one of the best examples I know of of what I like to call the “Bang Bang You’re Dead” School of Acting. When children play cops and robbers and one shoots another one dead, the one who is dying does not worry over HOW to do it, he doesn’t need to do a year of research in order to have permission to die during a game, he doesn’t think ANYthing – he just launches himself into a glorious swandive. I don’t mean to pooh-pooh research, and I don’t, but sheer Make-Believe skills are something that can’t be taught, and once you forget them, you usually forget them for good. <\/p>\n
William Holden is, of course, NOT being shot here. It’s all make-believe. But watch his body language during the death scene. Watch how much he believes. <\/p>\n
Billy Wilder said to Cameron Crowe, about Holden: “Holden was very good. Physically, he was first-class.”<\/p>\n
The scene:<\/p>\n
Holden comes out onto the lawn – followed by Norma with her gun – he is shot in the back the first time. It stops him in his tracks – his back kind of arches, his head goes back …<\/p>\n
Then he plunges forward – wounded – dropping his suitcase …<\/p>\n
She shoots him again – from the side – he takes the hit …<\/p>\n
Out of control now, staggering away from her – turning back to see his attacker –<\/p>\n
Disoriented, wounded – he flails about – flailing for the dropped suitcase …<\/p>\n
Which is when she shoots him for the final time. The death blow. His swoon is practically balletic. Fearless. Throwing himself off to the side and over the edge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Holden has to be shot three times – stagger forward – turn back – turn the other way – be shot one last time and fall face first into the pool. One take. That takes not only acting chops and … Continue reading