MovieChat Forums > The Fugitive (1993) Discussion > Tommy Lee Jones killing the black escape...

Tommy Lee Jones killing the black escapee was an opportunistic racist killing

posted a year ago by Ticketsplease (4024)
22 replies | jump to latest

I can't shake this feeling. He saw a situation where he believed he could legally kill a black man, given the hostage situation, and he took it, despite the risk that he could have killed one of his partners.

The poor subordinate was obviously shaken by the murder and said he could have negotiated. He whispers in his ear "I...don't....negotiate."

The next scene is him on the phone, obviously taking some heat from a superior for his racist murder.

"What can I tell you Sir, he was a bad man, he was going to kill one of my kids. Well you can blame me, I'm the one who shot him."

Hangs up phone, walks into a meeting and refers to himself as 'the big dog' who 'is always right.'

I can only imagine how African Americans feel watching this scene, and how traumatizing it must be, especially for those who have seen "the law" imprison or kill their own loved ones.

[–] JFZ (1459) a year ago

You make a very strong case on why blacks do not belong in a modern/white society. Not only do they have a hard time obeying, understanding, following, and observing the law, they cry racism because they aren't smart enough to see anything beyond skin color, when being punished for their crimes. It's a deadly combo which has cost the lives of thousands of Americans, and cost them billions.

[–] Ticketsplease (4024) a year ago

Except I'm not black.

[–] BKB (9987) a year ago

Honestly?? I don't think black america gives 1 shit about this scene or even thinks about it til you brought it up, just that it's a very good movie

[–] Stratego (30534) a year ago

No.

[–] SaltyTua (11) a year ago

Another one of those white liberals who feels guilt for any minority criminal who is killed even if its justified haha nowadays they don't usually have scenes like that one or if they do it's a white criminal getting shot because of people like this guy.

The everything is racist schtick bludgeoning everyone over the head 24/7 is becoming quite comical.

[–] blindfolded (1621) a year ago

Ahhh yes, once in a while this topic trends and its a reminder of how stupid people think.

As dumb as I may be, lots of people on the internet make me feel like a goddam Hawking.

[–] Saenzwa9 (485) a year ago

He no doubt would have killed Copeland if he was a white dude, too. Him being black, I'm sure, was just an extra bonus.

The callous way he treated his subordinate always rubbed me the wrong way. This walking hard-on prick almost gets him killed and most likely causes him hearing damage, but instead of a simple apology, he just coldly whispers that he doesn't bargain.

[–] BKB (9987) a year ago

[–] Saenzwa9 (417) an hour ago
He no doubt would have killed Copeland if he was a white dude, too. Him being black, I'm sure, was just an extra bonus.

The callous way he treated his subordinate always rubbed me the wrong way. This walking hard-on prick almost gets him killed and most likely causes him hearing damage, but instead of a simple apology, he just coldly whispers that he doesn't bargain."

Would you like an alternate version of this where Newman takes his hard on prick of a boss to Human Resources over it??

[–] Ticketsplease (4024) a year ago

No, that would be a diversion in the storyline that doesn't move the story along.

[–] Iconoclast321 (386) 6 months ago

Aaand this is exactly why I love 90s movies.
Plot and talent come first, not last.
And people didn't take apart movies for evil intent.

[–] BKB (9987) 6 months ago

Truth be told, we didn't have social media the way we see it now in 2024 to pick apart movies unlike in the 80's and 90's when you could actually enjoy them without the LGBQT Alphabet Gender getting in the way

[–] George (639) 6 months ago

I don't think it was racism. I think the escapee would kill the hostage anyway. So Tommy Lee Jones' character acted on instinct.