All the best movies have them. That one scene that just grabs hold of you and won't let go. That one scene that when you come across it on TV you give in and watch the rest of the film.
Brian De Palma's 1987 gangster movie certainly has one. Courtesy of a baldy Bobby D and his bat.
Al Capone is pissed off. Prohibition agents led by Elliot Ness have just rumbled one of his bigger bootlegging operations. A lot of money and product has been nabbed. Someone is in for it. What's going to happen?
A baseball bat appears. The anxiety in the room goes into overdrive. Everyone is laughing but everyone is also terrified. Subtle glances over their shoulders when Al passes behind them says it all. Everyone agreeing with everything he says. They know someone is goosed but who is it? Then it happens. Suddenly and shockingly. It's appallingly violent while showing hardly any violence. We hear it but don't see it. The crunch of bat on bone. The groans of the other men at the table. And then we see the result and Morricone's music kicks in like something from a horror film.
It might seem excessive and over the top but it's actually based on a real incident that involved 3 victims instead of 1! De Palma tamed himself down for once. His direction combined with David Mamet's words makes for potent viewing. Watch it below.
Admit it. You want to watch it all now don't you.
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