MovieChat Forums > All the King's Men (2006) Discussion > Crosses (spoilers)

Crosses (spoilers)

posted 18 years ago by loco_serenata
14 replies | jump to latest

Several scenes show the car with the governor passing by 3 small crosses by the curbside. Is this related to the 3 boys died in the school? Does people normally do than kind of remembrance? Please if anyone has a clue....

[–] jeffvaughn 18 years ago

The crosses may be representative of the three children. However, it is very common in the South to see crosses along the roadside. It usually represents where someone has been killed in a highway accident. This is a very common practice and has been for many years.

Jeff

[–] AZINDN 18 years ago

Crosses along side the roads has been a part of the memorial for everyone who dies in accidents which has come from Mexico here in the Southwest. I was suprised to also see it in Louisiana, although it did not surprise me as many cultures must have the same practices based in Christian philosophy. I think the most outrageous example is the flowers in front of Kensington Palace on the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

-- If Ewan McGregor were a lollipop I'd be a diabetic strumpet --

[–] werrd 18 years ago

Spoilers---

Three children that died. Three main characters that die.

[–] ImaCultClassic 18 years ago

crosses on the side of the highway in memorial of deaths are prominent in all of the southern states.

In Nominee Patris, Et Filii, Et Spiriti Sancti

www.myspace.com/blindfoldedancing

[–] horatiohornblower 18 years ago

Its common here in the northeast US, as well. You see it frequently, and the crosses are placed near the area where someone was killed in an automobile accident. I dont know if it started in Mexico, southwest, europe, Mars, whatever, but its always been the same up here in the northeast states.

[–] mark-daniels 18 years ago

It has been over 30 yrs since I've read the book, but the crosses I remember. The book starts with Jack driving on some southern roads, driving to escape willie, himself, his life. He describes these southern roads: the pavement is raised, if you go off the side of the road the tires will get caught on the road lip. He describes how cars pass each other, and the many fatal crashes. Sugar drives like Jack describes - always passing ("bastard!") and Jack also narrates the crosses that are reminders of fatal accidents. He captures those two lane southern roads very well (they still exist in the Delta). But yeah, in the movie three crosses, three dead students, Willie's beginning in politics. great movie. Acting great, directing great, cinematography great (esp the lighting). Kate Winslett I thought was great - she never plays herself twice, its like she has a way of disguising herself or of disappearing completely in her role so that the person named kate winslett doesnt really exit.

[–] leslie2winchester 18 years ago

It is common to see three crosses because Jesus was nailed to a cross with two other people that same day. Doesn't anyone have a clue about christianity???
Hence the large cross and two smaller crosses.

Nail em up the crowd chants.

The people who can do the most good are killed at the end and the lying killing thieves take over. Kind of says alot about this world.

[–] lebellue 11 years ago

Several meanings probably...

(1) Three Deaths of main characters...Willie Stark (big cross), Adam Stanton, Judge Irwin
(2)Three Deaths of the children
(3) Christian symbolism that leslie2winchester mentions

[–] frogca 18 years ago

Just want to add that marking traffic fatalities with crosses is also common up here in western Canada.

[–] jammer_time 17 years ago

South Eastern Canada as well.

[–] peachyrock2121 17 years ago

I think it is safe to say that it is common in quite a few places.

[–] DrakeStraw 13 years ago

The most common places for roadside memorials appear to be Indian reservations. My daughter's fatal accident occurred in a rural town adjacent to a reservation. My son maintained the memorial next to the utility pole her car uprooted for a while, but moved away about a year later. The people in the neighborhood then took over and it stood for FIVE years! It seems the neighbors wanted people to slow down as the accident was in a residential area with a lot of children.

--
Drake

FYI

[spoiler][/spoiler]

[–] badnomad 15 years ago

I remember seeing the 3 crosses at least two times in the film. I think the symbolism here is not just Christ on the cross, but the theives on either side. One thief is absolved and the other isn't. Perhaps it alludes to Willie being a crook, but a good crook whose reputation would be honored and celebrated.

[–] 13 years ago

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