MovieChat Forums > Internal Affairs (1990) Discussion > Did Dennis or did he not strangle Van?

Did Dennis or did he not strangle Van?

posted 20 years ago by IMDBmurphy
20 replies | jump to latest

When I saw the movie again after a long time (having seen it several times before) I was confused by the scene when Dennis Peck "helped" Van Stretch after he got shot by the latino with a pumpgun.

I thought in this scene originally we happen to see how Dennis (Richard Gere) strangles Van (William Baldwin) to death, because the gunshot didn't serve its purpose.

But this time that scene was missing – or has it never been there and does only exist in my imagination? Please tell me if you know something about other versions different from the original!

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"Porque la pusca?" – "Es seguro."

[–] Coryraisa 20 years ago

I think Dennis did strange Van because the other police and ambulance were coming close and Dennis didn't want Van to talk and "rat" on him.

[–] amidazuiken 20 years ago

He Did. You may have been watching a TV version of the show; albeit the version I saw on TV included Dennis strangling Van. I bought the movie because of the differences I read about on this site.

[–] IMDBmurphy 20 years ago

Thanks for this clarification! I was already doubting my consciousness ...

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[–] McQueen1980 18 years ago

I recently hired out the DVD release of Internal Affairs and the strangle scene was edited. Gere had him shot of course but he was still alive. He deliberatly faces his back to the incoming ambulances (so it looks as if he's consoling him) In actual fact he's "shutting" him up by killing him (he keeps saying shut up to him). This strangle scene should not have been edited as it takes away the power of the scene (which in the cinema was a very powerful experience)

[–] IMDBmurphy 18 years ago

My sentiments exactly.

[–] Coryraisa 18 years ago

Yes, I remember that scene well. Dennis DID strangle Van. Van was dying anyway, but yes, it was to make sure Van did not live long enough to incriminate Dennis.

Jackie Harris and Amy Wallace forever

[–] len_watson 17 years ago

I'm answering this a year and a half after everybody else, but it's almost the same situation as Tony Soprano taking out his cousin Christopher: he was going anyway, but he got a little "nudge."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] IMDBmurphy 16 years ago

That has been clarified multiple times two years ago, but thanks anyway ;)

EDIT: Three years, to be precise

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[–] McQueen1980 16 years ago

ya but internal affairs is better than any sopranos tv show!!

[–] IMDBmurphy 16 years ago

I can't see any connection of your statement neither to my previous message nor to the subject!?

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[–] McQueen1980 16 years ago

time has gone fast!!

[–] flern 16 years ago

Almost four years after the original question..... I saw this movie in the theater when it originally came out and have seen it many times on cable... and again just today on HBO... and I have never seen a version without the fairly long scene where Gere is very obviously strangling his still alive and talking partner to death in order to finish off what the shotgun blast didn't completely accomplish. I have never watched this movie on a commercial channel, so maybe there is an "edited for television" version without that scene, but on the premium cable channels such as HBO, that scene has always been there whenever I watched it.

[–] IMDBmurphy 16 years ago

Thanks for your clarifying information.

[–] McQueen1980 15 years ago

no thats wrong. the original theatrical version has a much longer "choking" scene than subsequent viewings on videotape, DVD etc.

"He's in town with a few days to kill"

[–] flern 14 years ago

I don't know what version you are watching, but every version I have seen on DVD and on HBO and other premium movie channels had the same full choking scene that was in the theatrically released film.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

yes.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.-James Madison

[–] IMDBmurphy 8 years ago

But this time that scene was missing –– or has it never been there and does only exist in my imagination?

yes.

Well, no, actually. :)

... never mind, you were supposedly answering to the subject. It was funny anyway.

[–] lensue88 10 years ago

The movie is on now and I just saw that scene(I've seen this movie a lot!) Gere does strangle Baldwin, he didn't die from the gunshot. They showed the full scene tonight.

[–] IMDBmurphy 8 years ago

Just in case it's kinda "coming back" I should maybe watch a current airing.

As we are now living in times where it's totally okay to show violence on TV,
but God fordbid there's a glimpse of nudity on screen. "Protect" the children.