MovieChat Forums > Quigley Down Under (1990) Discussion > One BIG flaw in the plot, though a neces...

One BIG flaw in the plot, though a necessary one....

posted 17 years ago by blove-1
60 replies | jump to latest

I loved this movie and rank it among my all-time favorite 'westerns', but I'm hung on one plot absurdity: Why did Marston ever allow his henchman to take Quigley's rifle along when they left in the wagon to dump him and the girl in the desert? That rifle would obviously have been a trophy to Marston; he'd have never let it go walkabout with his flunkies. The rifle had to end up back in Quigley's hands, granted. I just can't think of a clever reason to have let that happen, and neither did the film makers, it seems. Did I miss something in the way of an explanation? Or can anyone even offer a viable reason that they might have injected to avoid that apparent goof?

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] strntz 9 years ago

As others have pointed out, the rifle was given to or stolen by the guy that took Quigley for the dump in the desert.

That rifle would obviously have been a trophy to Marston

As for Marston not keeping it for himself, let's not forget that Marston fancied himself as an American West type gunslinger and wasn't particularly interested in rifles in general, and Quigley's in particular. When he first saw it, he frowned and said that it was an "experimental rifle with experimental ammunition".

And, as others have pointed out, he could have ordered a stock Sharps if he really wanted one.

Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

[–] sandcrab277 9 years ago

the guy that had quigley's gear was awarded it for going in the house and capturing him...i don't know what movie you blokes were watching

[–] dmc101 8 years ago

Anyhow the real issue was "two days ride", as if that woman was unconscious for 2 days, either of them actually.

[–] crysjumar 8 years ago

Well, my mind went to the easy answer. The henchman were going to use it or sell it.

after all, they were "bad guys".

Take your pinche color-coordinated sponsored chingada and take a flying fck

[–] PaladinNJ (21587) 5 years ago

No really extravagant explanation is necessary. Marston's men were mercenaries. I thought it was simply a matter of that particular guy took the rifle as his share of the spoils. He brought the gun for his own use. Quigley overpowered him and took back the rifle.

[–] liscarkat (18886) 3 years ago

It is a flaw, but I cover it by assuming Marston just overlooked the rifle as his flunkies were taking Quigley out to dump him.