MovieChat Forums > The Incident (1968) Discussion > Unexpected greatness

Unexpected greatness

posted 18 years ago by Mechphisto
22 replies | jump to latest

I just caught this on FOX Movie Channel, and oh my god. I sat so riveted I'd held a forgotten dirty plate in my hand I'd meant to take to the sink, for the entire last half of the film.

The performances were perfect, the direction and pacing was perfect, even the dialogue (which generally in movies of that time period I find rediculous,) was authentic and realistic.

I don't know why this film isn't refered to in the same breath as "Twelve Angry Men" when talking about urban apathy films.

It had the feel of a stage play (like "Twelve Angry Men" which was a play originally,) mainly because of the confines of the setting of a subway car, and the in-real-time pacing of the movie. Not cuts in time ahead or back. A very confined, almost claustophobic film, which is a quality that was probably intended, in order to bring the viewer into the action. Be in the car with these people.

** possible spoilers **
My only complaint is the over-all message, theme of apathy was hit a bit overhard at the end when Beau's character looks out at everyone at the end in judgement, and each person appears looks away in guilt. On the one hand, there were a couple of people that had no need to feel guilty, like the old man who tried to stand up to them, the middle-aged woman who tried as well, and the couple who only wanted to protect their daughter.
On the other hand, their fault is that they tried independantly once things started getting too much for them. If they had worked together, they could have easily rid the car of the thugs early on.

[–] dhmason6155 18 years ago

One reason they were afraid was that there were two punks, however I suspected that all you had to do was to take out one of them and his buddy wouldn't do squat, and I was right. When Beau Bridges started fighting Tony Musante, Sheen just stood there. He only had balls as long as his buddy was scaring people. As soon as Musante was out of commission Sheen crumbled. Classic bully behaviour.

You look like the kind of girl who won't press charges

[–] deontee2002 18 years ago

"He only had balls as long as his buddy was scaring people." - dhmason6155

Then he got kicked in them. The irony.

[–] dhmason6155 18 years ago

Right. Poetic justice. This scenario has been repeated many times since in action movies with Steven Segal, Schwarzneggar, Charles Bronson etc.

You look like the kind of girl who won't press charges

[–] woljm45 18 years ago

I also caught this on the FOX movie channel as well and was BLOWN away!!!!! It would be nice if satillite/cable would play lost gems like this for younger generations like myself to see instead of the same "Mission Impossible 2" or "Carlito's Way" every 5 minutes. I was also thinking "Tweleve Angry Men" when I saw this, not only for the grittyness, but for the fact most of the movie takes place in one area. Something we don't see much of these days.

[–] dhmason6155 18 years ago

This could almost be the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" of the '60s for the incredible cast of soon-to-be popular actors. I can't believe I never heard of this before. How could this movie be so forgotten?

Attitude must run in the Sheen family. Martin went on to star in "Badlands" and his sons went on to play punks in "The Boys Next Door" and "Repo Man".

You look like the kind of girl who won't press charges

[–] high_roller 18 years ago

This is truly one of the most underappreciated films I have seen. Tony Musante was just electrifying in his role, and the entire psychological aspect was something I found very compelling, though disturbing.

If FOX ever decided to release this on DVD (remastered), I would be a very happy camper.

I love that word - gargantuan. I so rarely have the opportunity to use it in a sentence.

[–] dhmason6155 18 years ago

Heck, if someone made a remake I'd definitely see it!

You look like the kind of girl who won't press charges

[–] david_glassman 18 years ago

Tony Musante reprised his role from the original TV version of the movie from four years earlier in an episode of Dupont Theatre called "Ride With Terror."
The original TV episode also starred Gene Hackman.

[–] dhmason6155 17 years ago

He was also excellent (as an unknown) in "The Detective" with Sinatra, as a gay criminal, pretty radical at the time. Later he made "Toma", a cop show on TV.

"We got a job"
"What kind?"
"The forever kind"

[–] Woodyanders 17 years ago

I concur. This is an extremely powerful and unjustly overlooked gritty gem of a film. The key statement about how most people become passive victims in a dangerous crisis situation was bleak, but right-on and provocative. The cast all gave stand-out performances: Martin Sheen and Tony Musante were chilling as the two thugs. Hell, even Ed McMahon gave a solid portrayal as the harried dad of the little girl. I was also impressed by Gerald Hirschfeld's vivid black and white cinematography and Terry Knight's rattling score. I too wish this fine film would come out on DVD already.

Nobody does W.C. Fields singing "Mama Told Me Not to Come" better than Paul Frees.

[–] preppy-3 17 years ago

This is a great film BUT it couldn't happen today. The NYC subway cars can't be "locked" like they were in this film and I refuse to believe everybody would just sit there and let these things happen. Maybe I'm an optimist but I'd like to believe people wouldn't stand for it.

[–] dhmason6155 17 years ago

This is an excellent movie, but my only reservation is that it's in NYC. People in other cities might sit there passively, but New Yorkers are tough. In real life, I'm guessing at least half a dozen guys would jump up and waste the two punks.

The Wookie has no pants.

[–] preppy-3 17 years ago

Actually I think in any major metropolitan city people would fight back. A woman was being harrassed by two kids years ago on a Boston subway late at night. Five guys were almost immediately on their feet and made it clear to the kids to leave her alone. Also there were police ready at the next stop to arrest them.

[–] dhmason6155 17 years ago

Right on! Maybe because this is the post 9/11 world where people take individual responsibility and fight back.

The Wookie has no pants.

[–] Sheldonshells 11 years ago

"Right on! Maybe because this is the post 9/11 world where people take individual responsibility and fight back."

LOL, yeah RIGHT! Your dreaming.

[–] Sheldonshells 11 years ago

"Actually I think in any major metropolitan city people would fight back."

I would revise that slightly and say that in any major city people may or may not fight back depending on the circumstances, like who's in the car, what kind of people they are, how tough/crazy the thugs/harrassers look or seem to be etc. Although now there are more police in most major cities, and easier/faster ways to contact them, so that could make a difference.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PlatinumScreen 13 years ago

A very confined, almost claustophobic film, which is a quality that was probably intended, in order to bring the viewer into the action. Be in the car with these people.

** possible spoilers **
My only complaint is the over-all message, theme of apathy was hit a bit overhard at the end when Beau's character looks out at everyone at the end in judgement, and each person appears looks away in guilt.

mechphisto, well said and completely agree. the same word claustrophobic came to mind watching this. i was also surprised at how much apathy was displayed at the end. the people were so apathetic it appeared they had even lost the ability to feel relief and gratitude. they all looked just as tense when it was over as they did in the midst of the terror.

"....a lady always knows when to leave."
Fried Green Tomatoes

[–] denham 12 years ago

I agree with others - this film despite being somewhat obscure is excellent, with very few weaknesses. Beau Bridges was impeccable, but similarly Robert Fields (who I don't recall seeing anywhere else), Tony Musante (likewise) and Sheen. Merrill, Gilford and Ritter are always reliable. To be picky, early on the Tony character seemed to be pouncing on his girlfriend in a way that was a little OTT. On the script, the only change that occurs is that the failure of Carmatti to back up Felix at the climax could have been set up better. In the pre-train segment I'd like to have been given reason to think Carmatti was a real tough soldier, maybe some heroic story emerging at his parents' home that would ultimately look like having been empty boasting. An actor that looked more formidable in the part might have been an idea too, though that's no criticism of Robert Bannard.

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."

[–] kingcarcas 12 years ago

Don't you love it when out of nowhere you see another great movie? It seems like i've seen them all but i'll keep on digging

If you don't believe in Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, put this in your sig.

[–] telegonus (738) 3 years ago

The Incident is a great film, and it holds up to to repeat viewing. I agree with those posters who have questioned whether in real world terms a bunch of New Yorkers riding in a late night NewYork train would have been so passive as the the ones in this film. One thing worth mentioning is the bad luck of the demographics of the particular group of people presented in this film. It was Vietnam era, and all they would have needed here would be a tough Vietnam veteran who was capable of action who wasn't (effin') wounded and things would have played out very very differently quite early on, and likely other capable males would have been emboldened and taken as well. It takes just one to get the ball rollin'.

[–] Interlepos (1808) 3 years ago

>> I don't know why this film isn't refered to in the same breath as "Twelve Angry Men" when talking about urban apathy films.

It should be mentioned in the same breath as 12 Angry Men. And that's the highest praise possible.