Does anyone have an idea why the old Aborigine that worked for Marston hit Quigley on the head during the initial fight between Quigley and Marston? Given how quickly he left after Marston's death, there was obviously very little loyalty between him and his "owner," so why defend Marston, or at least let Quigley do away with him.
Ideas?
My immediate guess was: not to defend Marston, but to avoid Quigley getting killed by the men outside that were getting ready to rush him. The old man had already sensed that Quigley was a decent fellow and didn't need to get killed.
shareExactly, I thought it was rather obvious that the elder Aborigine knocked Quigley out to save his life.
shareMarston told Quigley, "Don't mind him..." spitting and underestimating the Aborigine as he spoke openly detailing his hatred and plan to eliminate "the most backwards race" with the tacit approval of a government eager to turn a blind eye to the genocide. What was their convenient term? - "Pacification by force"?!
Quigley was simultaneously defending the Aborigines and giving up his lofty new-found lamb and mint jelly status on the Marston Ranch in what appeared to be a hopeless stand - so by knocking him unconscious just maybe Quigley could survive that night.
That was the immediate circumstancs - but - the film had another dreamy sort of spiritual quality involving a larger picture...
There appeared to be a hand of destiny at work, although invisible it was still nevertheless a part of the picture.
When Quigley found his way to a town and met the gunsmith remember what the gunsmith said after his son knew all about Quigley? He referred to a legend spoken of amongst the natives.
Apparently, the Aborigines had a hope in the form of a prophecy given to them of a deliverer that would one day vindicate and save their race.
The aborigine would have had that legend on his mind after witnessing what led to the fight especially since he also acted as a set of eyes and ears inside the circle of aristocratic power represented by the cold-hearted Elliott Marston.
Look where no one else is looking and see what no one else sees.
Hmmm...thanks guys for pointing this stuff out. I just saw the movie for the first time now in 2009, actually in the hospital under tuberculosis watch (actually only have pneumonia and am quickly returning to 100%, thank you) on a dinky TV. My take was that the aborigine servant was a sell out, an Uncle Tom, who had mixed feelings but nonetheless felt he had to be loyal to Marsden for selfish reasons, taking priority over the wellbeing of "his people". Sometimes subtleties are lost on me.... Cheers.
shareI too thought he did it cause Marsden was "Massa" and he was mentally enslaved to him.
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There appeared to be a hand of destiny at work, although invisible it was still nevertheless a part of the picture.
While you can read more into it and say he did it to save Quigley's life (a person he'd never meet before) or because he was mentally enslaved, I think his reason for staying "loyal" in that scene, was actually much more primal in nature.
If he hadn't knocked Quigley out, what would have happened to him? He certainly would have been deemed a traitor and also killed.
He did it, to save his own life.
To me, his need to "save" Quigley (if there even was that motivation) more came from him hitting Quigley vs. shooting him.
Yup, you're welcome.
It's rather obvious if think about it. The whole scene was predicated on Quigley refusing to kill Aboriginies, I suspect this would trump any perceived loyalty to Marsten. It's not like Marsten raised the butler from a child as his own or anything. Look at the facial expressions, it speaks volumes more than any dialog ever could.
If he hadn't knocked Quigley out nothing would have happened to him. By taking action, he actually put himself at risk, because he showed himself to be a bit more than placated servant Marsten took him for. It was a brave act by a noble bushman, if he had even a grain of loyalty to his master he would have just backed out of the situation.
"if it was any good they'd have made an American version by now." Hank Hill
Sorry F-ascaso it's obviously NOT "obvious if you [think] about it" or else I wouldn't have posted what I did.
Your line of "if he had even a grain of loyalty to his master he would have just backed out of the situation" makes absolutely no sense.
If I'm loyal to someone, I will do everything in my power to save them. Not back away from a situation that is perilous for them. Please explain your idea of loyalty if that is not it. And please, also explain how the bushman put himself at risk by showing himself to be more loyal to his Master? Your theories here just make no sense.
If he simply wanted, he could have run and left the ranch at that point. But he would've have been hunted down and killed. Hurting Quigley, a man that he does not know and so must attribute doubt to, means that his place is solidified and his life is not in danger.
Again, he did it to save himself. To save the way his life currently was.
Maddox2Base... come in base
"Your line of "if he had even a grain of loyalty to his master he would have just backed out of the situation" makes absolutely no sense.
"
Makes perfect sense. If all he cared about was himself, he'd have cowered off in the corner, something that Marsten and the rest would expect of a subservient Aboriginee. By striking Quigley, he showed that he COULD attack and potentially cause harm to ANY white man, Marsten included.
Just look at the parting shot of the butler, when he's in his full tribal glory and the unspoken thank you Quigley gives him.
Interpret it any way you like, you've obviously made up your mind, so go with that. With the context and the way the Aboriginees are portrayed in this film, your interpretation omits the obvious. So, for your conclusion to make any sense, it was just an accident that he saved Quigleys life? A life Quigley was about to forfeit in defense of the butlers people? It was a noble act by the Aboriginee in the defense of his people, with little to no loyalty to his persecutors and the murders of his people. It's a basic element of any good Western.
"if it was any good they'd have made an American version by now." Hank Hill
I believe you have gotten this absolutely right. Nice work.
shareMe too. Yeah Quigley had his rifle BUT against that many men and their rifles and pistols it was only a matter of time before he was shot and killed. The old man realized that and saved his life.
R E S I S T A N C E IS F U T I L E !
QUOTE:
Does anyone have an idea why the old Aborigine that worked for Marston hit Quigley on the head during the initial fight between Quigley and Marston? Given how quickly he left after Marston's death, there was obviously very little loyalty between him and his "owner," so why defend Marston, or at least let Quigley do away with him.
[deleted]
The butler was also supplying his people with information. It's addressed in the scene where Quigley and Cora wake up after the Aborigines saved their lives. They wouldn't have helped unless they knew what had transpired at the ranch.
"if it was any good they'd have made an American version by now." Hank Hill
Yes,Music was awful...and Abo's hitting TOM was to make Caucasians feel bad
Tom Selleck is my man though.