I have seen this movie really, really many times (it being a favorite of my Dad's) and my sister and I seem to recall that years ago there had been a scene where Peter's camera is taken from him outside the beerhall, thrown on the ground and broken. It is alluded to now every time I see the movie but, never shown. Does anyone else remember this? I'm wondering if I'm confused and that is a scene in another movie.
shareI thought I too remembered the camera being smashed, from seeing the film years ago. Also, the DVD must be missing a scene showing how Peter knew that the man Roschmann shot was Peter's father. Or am I missing something?
shareWell, I'm glad that someone else feels that that scene did once exist. About Peter knowing that it was his father who was shot –– I think that it was made clear that it was his father who was shot only at the end of the movie, and was meant to sort of shock and surprise the viewer. That was why Peter makes it so clear to Roschmann in a methodical manner that the man shot was his father. At least that is my take on this and I don't remember any other missing scenes.
"Remember, every Cinderella has her midnight."
Thank you. So Peter must have found out that Roschmann had shot his father by reading the diary.
shareHaving just seen this movie within the last 24 hours I thought I might comment.
There was a scene where Peter is discussing with his mother about wartime in general. His father's death came into the conversation naturally enough. However it makes sense that after reading the diary for the length of time that he did, that he must've of made the links himself especially the iron cross that was awarded his father. It makes sense why Peter initially took up this crusade mostly out of revenge than for moral justice. I must read the book one day as I'm sure the revelation will make good reading.
I don't know about any missing scene showing the actual beating that Peter suffered outside the rally, but it seemed obvious what was going to happen. It's more effective that he walks out of the shadows and we see his injuries.
Peter knew the date of his father's death, the place he died, and his rank. He also knew of the metal that his father was awarded, and that it was uncommon. When the dairy told of a young captin being killed on that day,and that he had the same metal, Peter knew it must be his father.
shareDo you mean medal?
shareIt was a surprise to me too that the soldier R killed was Peter's father. Remember the moment his father was shot, the camera lingered on his body and the medal. I should have realized there was a purpose to that! Otherwise, yes, I agree, Peter read the diary and learned that the man indeed was his father. The performances were perfect especially those of Voight and Schell.
shareYou might want to mark this thread SPOILER if you're going to talk about the stuff you find out at the end. Just a hint.
shareI think your right about his camera being broken, im sure i saw that on vhs video, but the chances are that they could well of taken it off dvd, sometimes they add, sometimes they take away, it is a bit silly taking scenes out, but what can you do.
Andrew Lishak Stoke Newington London
I think the missing scene you have described was from The Boys From Brazil and not Odessa File.
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i watched the heavily cut version last week on channel 5 in the uk.sneeze too hard in a film and channel 5 will cut it..i seem to remember peter being manhandled out of the bier keller then being roughed up-all missing of course-so when we next see him arriving back at the flat,his face is covered in blood..maybe i am mistaken about the camera smashing scene,i could be wrong.......still a great film but not quite as good as the novel.
shareThis was on Five USA tonight in the UK. Caught the last 40 mins or so. I hadnt seen the movie since it was in the cinema, I guess in '74, I'd have been 12. I thought the "hitman gets minced by printing press" scene was quite a bit more bloody and gruesome than the showing tonight. Anybody agree? Maybe I was a bit truamatised by what had clearly been implied (rather than shown) as a 12 year old and it stuck in my mind.
shareI remember another missing scene. Sigi was sitting at her dressing table getting ready for work and talking to Peter. The entire conversation is now missing.
shareYes, and as superficial as it seems, the reason I recall that scene is that Jon Voight was shown nude in bed. I saw this at a cinema in Paris when it was first released and it was still quite unusual for males, especially American movie stars, to do frontal nudity. Plus, I found Voight mighty attractive and I enjoyed the chance to see him au naturel.
"Thank you, thank you--you're most kind. In fact you're every kind."
The broken camera scene can be seen in the free movie provided by imdb on The Odessa File page.
sharejust watched it on Netflix - same version I saw at the cinema in 1973 - don't recall a scene where the camera is smashed - he just alludes to it afterwards. not saying that such scene never existed (esp. if there is a IMDB trailer containing it - but trailers may contain additional footage)..
** SPOILER**
for the record:
- re: Forsythe's book - not as good as the screenplay.
can you believe it? Roschmann gets away!!
I also felt that Forsythe's novel Day of the Jackal was outdone by the 1973 screenplay in key plot points, but the book is a great read anyway.
Derek Jacoby appears in both films.
:-) canuckteach (--:
I just streamed this flick via Netflix. Afterward, I was browsing through the comments and came across yours. It was only when you mentioned it that I, too, recall the scene with the camera getting smashed. As they were leading him out, I was remembering what happened but didn't notice the missing scene until I read your post. Good thinking. It's been many years since I last saw The Odessa File and I don't recall the scene about his father. But the one where he gets beaten up, I remember well.
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