After being crushed in the rigging, Manuel apparently wanted to make the ultimate sacrifice; he would rather drown himself than show his shattered legs to Harvey.
Why then did he hold his nose before committing himself to the deep?
Was it perhaps that Spencer Tracy wasn't a strong swimmer?
The last thing you would need to drown yourself is a last big gulp of air.
It spoils the scene just a little for me.
Still a classic though.
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Well, I think it could be justified on the basis that he wants to go down as deep as he can before running out of oxygen and dying.
If he were to expire near the surface, he would be visible immediately and might be saved.
If he goes down as deep as he can on one big breath of air, however, he would be a greater distance from the surface and less likely to be seen in time.
Also, I assume the studios had nose plugs and so it was not necessary for Tracy to hold his nose if in fact he was not a swimmer.
That's food for thought Bklyn4ever.
Thank you for your ideas.
I know this is a late response - but
Manuel according to most folks - was cut in half - there was no saving him - its not that he didnt want H to see his "shattered legs"!!
He was a goner and he knew it!
Who knows why he held his nose?!!
He wasn't holding his nose. He grabbed the crucifix that he wore around his neck and as he went under, he kissed it. The glove on his hand covered his mouth and nose and made it look as if he was holding his nose.
sharegreat point Homer.
you obviously just watched it on TCM's 31 days of Oscar as I did a little while ago. Great movie. Hopefully you got a chance to see Bad Day at Black Rock and Inherit the Wind before Captain's. 3 great Tracy movies in a row. cheers.
Kev, Yes I did. I stop for Bad Day at Black Rock every time it is on. It shows a time that I grew up in and I get nostalgic. Beautiful scenery and great acting. Inherit the Wind always is compelling, even though I have seen it dozen of times. I love the back and forth between Tracy and Fredric March as the adversaries.
share
He wasn't actually cut in half, but he was about to be if they just left him.
It's true that he was a goner and knew it, but his decision certainly was also motivated by trying to protect Harvey from seeing how badly injured his legs were. All of this is in the script.
(The black man translates Manuel's portuguese, telling the captain Manuel has said that his legs are 'all stoved in' and he 'doesn't want the kid to know'.
Then the captain explains to his crew-mate that the reason he is cutting the rope is because "We can't just leave him there till the rope saws him in half.")
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"Maybe I should go alone"
- Quint, Jaws.
byManuel relays to the cook that his bottom half is gone and with those ropes I think it quite possible they cut him in half. I don't know about those conditions but I do remember a story where a man was cut in two between two trains. They knew if they seperated the trains he would die. He lived till they called his wife and died when they finally seperated the trains.
tonyhu
He wasn't actually cut in half, but he was about to be if they just left him.
by
vinidici
Manuel according to most folks - was cut in half
It sounds that way, but he'd've been dead in a matter of seconds from all the blood loss. More likely, it was meant that his bottom half was crushed and mangled.
You are correct... Not based om opinion but based upon what Doc says. I replayed the segment a few times ... Doc says to the Captain that Manuel's bottom half is "stove-im" which means smashed inward.
Fighting A Never Ending Battle For Truth, Justice And The American Way
Manuel according to most folks - was cut in half
It sounds that way, but he'd've been dead in a matter of seconds from all the blood loss. More likely, it was meant that his bottom half was crushed and mangled.
Okay folks, show's over, nothing to see here!
So, if you knew you were going to be dragged under, would you take a big breath and hold your nose, or just plan on getting it over quickly by inhaling water?
To me, inhaling water would be god awful, but holding your breath you may eventually become unconscious.
I think holding one's breath under circumstances like Manuel's is just natural human instinct.
I'm sitting here crying my eyes out.
TCM 31 Days of Oscar 2012.
Always the officiant, never the bride. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com