MovieChat Forums > Stalker (1980) Discussion > Okay, so how did Stalker, Professor and ...

Okay, so how did Stalker, Professor and Writer get out of the Zone?

posted 11 years ago by thenoah-573-524560
9 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this film and I thought it was totally awesome, one of the best I've seen in a long time. Everything was perfect, except for this one scene. It just jumped from Stalker, Writer and Professor right next to the Room and it started raining and then it stopped raining and then they were back in the bar. So, how did they get back? The railway car was sent up the track by Stalker because he said "People don't leave the Zone the way they came", and the way they left was never explained, unless I missed something. Could somebody please tell me whether I missed something or not? I rated the film a '9', but it could easily go up to a '10' if this was explained to me. Thank you!

[–] mad_weather 11 years ago

If you mean whether there was a scene cut from the version you saw - no, you hadn't miss anything. The long way back just wasn't as important story-wise aside from a simple fact they *did* go back, and so was omitted.

[–] thenoah-573-524560 11 years ago

Thank you for commenting!

Okay... I think I'll have to re-watch it. I'm sure things would've been totally messed up if Tarkovsky did show the long way back. The shot with the rain was just perfect, it would have ruined the whole nuance of the scene. Just wondering, was it hinted at anywhere in the film about how they got back? It sort of bugged me because they already sent the cart back, and that would mean that sending the cart back was pointless and it created a flaw on its own. If somebody explained that to me it would be great. Thank you!

[–] lasttimeisaw 11 years ago

Just watched it, I think since the Stalker is a pro, obviously he has been to the zone many times before, so he must know a secret way back, which is not simply follow the route when they come thanks to the magical mystery around the zone, and that's why qualifies him as a Stalker as well.

http://lasttimeisawdotcom.wordpress.com/
Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench

[–] bizzach34 11 years ago

I always imagined that the way back was much more straightforward than the way in to the Room. The rules are constantly shifting, the surroundings folding in on themselves, as the Zone tries to hide its heart from intruders. When one is leaving, I imagine the Zone may even actively abet the journey.

As someone above said, purely for story reasons it's inconsequential how they left; the transition from the rain scene (one of the most gorgeous in all of cinema) to the grey tones of the city is perfection.

It also helps to imagine this as a slight analogue to The Wizard of Oz: the Zone in its rich natural color is like Oz, while the "real" world outside is grey and dull. Dorothy has a harrowing trip through a tempest into Oz, while she only has to click her heels to return home.

[–] aalmbarak-219-786849 11 years ago

The journey to the wish room is supposed to be filled with danger at every corner, and as they made it there, the zone no longer felt the need to test them. Each of the men had their own agenda upon reaching the zone's center, and at the climax of this journey, they all decided to turn around.

The way out wasn't supposed to be hard, it was only the way in that was the challenge. The only purpose of the Stalker is to lead them through the zone, because the zone is its own ecosystem, that's only concerned with invading forces. When something tries to leave the zone, it is not met with any resistance.

[–] hotspurpagg 11 years ago

Maybe the dog helped lead them out? :)

[–] pyjam 10 years ago

I wonder if they actually left the bar or if it was a mental journey, thanks to the stalker's help. After all, it was all metaphoric about the journey of life. Wasn't it?

[–] estocade 10 years ago

Yes, I suppose it was one big metaphor. But I believe it to be a physical journey as well as mental. Maybe the Zone brought them back? Maybe Stalker knew a shortcut, but was afraid to use it as an entrance. It is not explained, that is for sure.

[–] venanttout 10 years ago

I always assumed that the Zone 'rewarded' them by putting them back away for finding their desires and limits.

'Ok, so you bypassed my traps? Here is my reward. The truth is you're insignificant. Go back and have a drink. (teleportation)