MovieChat Forums > Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Discussion > Gun in bus and choice of drivers

Gun in bus and choice of drivers

posted 9 years ago by gressos
3 replies | jump to latest

After one more viewing of this classic,I had some thoughts concerning the gun and the choice of the driver:the latter has been already partly mentioned in another thread but I try to combine both.
From what I can understand,the gun McMurphy used to kill Sal was hidden in a front mini locker,in which Sonny had checked.It was obviously put there, during the short preparation scene for the exit from the bank and as Sonny was too excited after managing to get into the bus without being shot,he neglected to re-check the spot.I can hardly blame him.
But one more critical issue that sealed Sonny/Sal's fate(I have not read about the actual event)is Sonny's choice of the FBI agent instead of the black cop.Reviewers have already commented on that being a crucial mistake,although Sonny was proven smart enough to figure out a cop in disguise.So I wonder if it was another Sheldon's strategy.You can tell from the start that this man is anything but Moretti's ''let's chat''character.He is aiming right through the heart.
Remember electricity's sudden turn off so that they were left into the darkness?Strategy.
During his being inside the bank,he immediately grasped Sal's personality and knew how was he to be dealt with.But he also knew that Sonny was a harder case and did not like to be taken as a fool.So,in order to ensure their right man into the right position(the driver's seat)they threw a disguised cop with character in Sonny's face,knowing in advance that he will find out in time and take the FBI man instead.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

People working in law enforcement have to understand the criminal. They always have to read people in order to understand who they're dealing with; what they're capable of; their weaknesses; strengths; fears; etc. It's one of the reasons they try to get and keep them talking in a situation like in the movie. In the meantime, they try to get background information on them and to find out who their family and friends are. What they learn determines how they'll proceed and deal with whoever they're dealing with.

Sonny was jittery, suspicious, tense, and unbalanced. He wanted people to think he was a good person even though he was holding up a bank, threatening to murder a few people, holding them hostage, etc. He also wanted to feel empowered and intelligent even though he was not. He had apparently seen a lot of cop shows and movies so he knew some of the tricks.

When he thought his demands for a plane and transportation to the airport were met he was feeling very confident. They gave him a chance to feel in control. He liked feeling important and respected so the black officer knew to pump up his ego. It was all a set up but he couldn't see it. They knew he'd get suspicious and make a switch thinking he was being clever; thinking he was one step ahead of them. They were already way ahead of them. It didn't matter who got into the driver's seat, the outcome would have been the same, they were not going to let those fools get on the plane.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] gressos 9 years ago

They were way ahead of them,indeed.I sensed that from the moment the lights turned off and Sheldon spoke ''favors are over''.I just remembered that Sonny was also fool enough to believe that Leon would have a discussion with him on the phone without being bugged(remember how quick he was to believe that as soon as he ordered Leon to get them off the line,they did got off the line?).Yes,unfortunately,that is the truth-Sonny appeared to be more cautious and organizing than Sonny(who was dominated by his fear and autistic perception of the world)but not enough. Thats what makes these two fools more humans.
But I keep thinking-was the black officer acting when he begged(by look)Sheldon not to let him drive the car?If he didn't and Sonny had chosen him instead,then the black officer would be the one to take Sal.The time of placing the gun would be the same(during the preparation in the bank).But in that case, why would they have to ensure that the experienced shooter would be the driver?
Just thoughts...
P.S.:but the fact is that he was not smart enough to think that that something is cooking,even after Sheldon threw it on his face-what they intented to do about Sal.He should at least double-check the car.Cop movies were not sufficient information after all and he was a little mythomaniac(fear of being poisoned,etc.).

[–] jensen99 9 years ago

The gun was hidden inside the drivers side door handle/arm rest which McMurphy has to pop open to access. Sonny did not check that door when inspecting the vehicle.