# Criminal offenses NOT committed by the VILLAINS in movies! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2011, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495 "2011-09-16T07:59:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/21 "2011-09-16T16:12:17Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > If the Lost World has taught us anything it’s that gigantic beasts can be tranquilized instantly! :: checks FS’s file :: That’s four. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/22 "2011-09-16T16:17:23Z")
I’m…going to get a reputation if I’m not careful, aren’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/23 "2011-09-16T16:22:39Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I’m…going to get a reputation if I’m not careful, aren’t I? A “reputation”? Yes. Sullying your name sounds like something I would do. 😉 Returning to the thread topic: I’ve wondered sometimes just how legal Superman;s Fortress of Solitude is. Clearly it’s built on tundra, not sea, so I wonder if it’s in Canadian territory; I seriously doubt he has permission from Ottawa to build it. Though I can’t imagine anybody giving him grief about it, what with the super-strong, super-fast, ICBM-proof, heat-rays-from-the-eye thing he has going on. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/24 "2011-09-16T17:34:37Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > That is, I hope, a jest. I find it hard to tell with y’all sometimes. If by jesting you mean trying to have fun with the thread, then guilty as charged.😉 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/25 "2011-09-16T17:54:54Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > If the Lost World has taught us anything it’s that gigantic beasts can be tranquilized instantly! Especially if they’re at the top of quarter of a mile tall buildings! Then they just fall harmlessly off! And land softly! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/26 "2011-09-16T17:59:02Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > Tony Stark is worse. He’s operating a heavily armed aircraft while intoxicated. First tell me which of the folks in WATCHMEN weren’t villains, and then I’ll tell you which crimes they committed… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/27 "2011-09-16T18:17:47Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > First tell me which of the folks in WATCHMEN weren’t villains, and then I’ll tell you which crimes they committed… Dr. Manhattan is not a villain, for he is not motivated by hatred, greed, lust, or personal gain. (Well, maybe lust, at one point.) Nor is he a criminal, though I will grant that some of his actions are a bit over the top. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/28 "2011-09-16T18:21:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Nor is he a criminal, though I will grant that some of his actions are a bit over the top. So killing Rorschach in cold blood isn’t actually criminal, but just a bit over the top? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/29 "2011-09-16T19:01:26Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > V for Vendetta - > V: terrorism, kidnapping, torture, conspiracy, use of weapons of mass destruction, multiple and mass murder, murdering top government officials to conceal his identity, destruction of evidence (same reason), breaking and entering, broadcast regulations violations (broadcasting his messages on government equipment), brainwashing, forcing a man into one of his costumes to serve as a decoy and be killed by police, hacking government computers, sedition, concealing his identity from law enforcement. Not seeing child abuse on this list, and wow, was there ever child abuse! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/30 "2011-09-16T19:01:51Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > So killing Rorschach in cold blood isn’t actually criminal, but just a bit over the top? I forgot about that, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/31 "2011-09-16T19:02:29Z")
Ghost Busters: Operating unlicensed nuclear reactors in midtown New York. ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/32 "2011-09-16T19:11:43Z")
I have trouble watching Sleepless in Seattle (well, for many reasons) because of the creepy, creepy stalker action. Creepy! ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/33 "2011-09-16T19:44:14Z")
Mary Poppins: Kidnapping (the other nannies), fraud (winning a horse race on a fake horse), trespass (the neighbours’ roofs). > [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I just thought this would be an interesting category, albeit an odd one originating with the likes of me. 😃 > > **Rear Window** > L. B. Jeffries: Disorderly conduct (looking in people’s windows); assault (flashing his flash attachment at Raymond Burr) > Grace Kelly’s character: Burglary, trespassing > > **It’s a Wonderful Life** > George Bailey: Drunk Driving; Assaulting a police officer; Harassing someone over the telephone; Assaulting a woman (when he stepped on Mary’s robe and it came off) > Bert the cop: Firing a firearm toward bystanders > \*\* > Mighty Joe Young\*\* > Jill Young: Failure to post warning signs on her property; **entering the United States unaccompanied by an adult before the age of 21;** tampering with a lock > Max O’Hara: Abducting an underage girl across a national border; tampering with a police vehicle; failure to assist officers when called on > Gregg Johnson: Assault and battery (he punched the truck driver); vehicle theft > > **The Caine Mutiny** > Lt. Cmdr. Queeg: Perjury > > Get the idea? 🙂 (My bolding). Is that a crime? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/34 "2011-09-17T00:03:35Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > So killing Rorschach in cold blood isn’t actually criminal, but just a bit over the top? It depends on whose laws apply in Antarctica in Watchmenworld, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/35 "2011-09-17T00:15:09Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Not seeing child abuse on this list, and wow, was there ever child abuse! Good point. I’m sure I left a crapload of stuff out. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/36 "2011-09-17T00:25:19Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > A lot of movies (especially “high schoolers/college kids foil evil corrupt grown up’s plans” types) involve some sort of breaking and entering and theft at some point, even if it is for the greater good. And then there’s _Animal House_. Off the top of my head, there’s teenage drinking, destruction of property, shoplifting, statutory rape, auto theft and horse theft. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/37 "2011-09-17T00:26:11Z")
James Bond. 00 status may give him license to kill, but I’ve never heard of his being given license to B&E, trespass, kidnap, possess multiple passports, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/38 "2011-09-17T01:10:19Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Ghost Busters: Operating unlicensed nuclear reactors in midtown New York. Ghostbusters 2: Digging a hole in First Avenue without a permit. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/39 "2011-09-17T01:50:43Z")
**Seven Brides for Seven Brothers** : kidnapping, sexual assault. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495/40 "2011-09-17T02:38:55Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I’m pretty sure that Queeg is the villian in that movie. Yes and no. Wouk’s whole point is that, while Queeg is a lousy captain, he still deserved the respect and deference of his subordinates. When Barney Rosenfeld comes to the acquittal party, drunk, he rightly points out that Queeg had every reason to be paranoid. Queeg WAS surrounded by disloyal junior officers who hated him and tried to undermine him! The officers who deposed Queeg thought they were heroes at the time. When the novel and movie end, they’re not so sure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-offenses-not-committed-by-the-villains-in-movies/596495.md?page=3)