# Most disturbing death scene **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [August 6, 2001, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061 "2001-08-06T02:35:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/41 "2001-08-06T22:37:45Z")
I haven’t seen a lot of these. I generally try to avoid violent movies (_Misery_, _The Silence of the Lambs_, _Seven_). No, thank you! Other movies, such as _Jaws_ and _Schindler’s List_ don’t bother me, maybe because I know what to expect. The most disturbing death scene in a movie I’ve seen recently would have to be in _The Blair Witch Project_. And you don’t even _see_ anything - just that horrible _sound_. That stuck with me for hours afterward. I vaguely recall a scene from _2 Days in the Valley_ where the Charlize Theron character is hit by a car, and her boyfriend James Spader brings her inside and calmly tells her that he can’t call an ambulance for her, because then the authorities would catch up with him and well, that’s not going to happen. (I could be a little wobbly on the details, there.) Just seeing this stunning woman as she realizes she is going to die and no one is going to help her - wow. The strangulation scene in _Frenzy_ was, I agree, very upsetting. In another direction entirely: _A Bug’s Life_, when Hopper meets his end. So perfectly natural, yet so horrifying. When I was a kid in the '70s my dad took me and another child to see some Grizzly Adams movie. I remember almost nothing about it, but there were two very dumb bad guys who were threatening Adams or the wilderness in some way. They plot to start a forest fire, but goof up and are surrounded and engulfed by the flames. My dad noted in his journal how I laughed and applauded their end. So there’s a death scene that didn’t bother me, but apparently bothered my dad. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@Rossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rossarian)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/42 "2001-08-06T23:00:06Z")
I can’t think of the name of the movie, but that one where the kid forsees that the plane he is on is going to blow up. And it ends up that like 6 people temporarily cheat Death. So Death decides to settle the score, and takes every single one of them out in gruesome and painful ways, rather than just quietly in their sleep. I could barely stand to watch it, because most of the death scenes had this long buildup and I just sat there and squirmed. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/43 "2001-08-06T23:05:26Z")
It doesn’t have to involve humans, does it? There was a movie with Bette Davis that I watched as a kid. She basically goes nuts and hacks some bunnies to death. Dear gawd, that was a horrific image for a kid to see. Bringing me to another point: DON’T bring your kids to the drive-in expecting them to be asleep by the time the main feature comes on. They may LOOK like they’re asleep, but they’re just pretending! ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/44 "2001-08-07T01:19:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > \*\* I got the impression he did that so that the newspapers would say he died screaming for mercy, so those kids would read it and decide not to follow a life of crime. There seemed to be a couple of clues that he’s going to do that. \*\* Umm…yes, I know that. Hence “freaks out” in quotations. It still gets me, though. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/45 "2001-08-07T03:24:49Z")
In **Grave of the Firefles** , it started with the hero, a ten-year old boy, saying “September 8, 1945…That’s the day I died.” We see his body laying in a railway station with several others, as the workers treated him as if he was a bum. That was just the beginning. An even more disturbing death scene occured when her sister was so wrought with malnutrition, she thought that dirt rocks were candy. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/46 "2001-08-07T03:34:36Z")
I got a copy of Grave of Fireflies about six months ago, as a gift. Still haven’t worked up the nerve to watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/47 "2001-08-09T03:29:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Myrnalene \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > > \*\* I got the impression he did that so that the newspapers would say he died screaming for mercy, so those kids would read it and decide not to follow a life of crime. There seemed to be a couple of clues that he’s going to do that. \*\* > > Umm…yes, I know that. Hence “freaks out” in quotations. It still gets me, though. \*\* It’s rare that someone agrees with me on that interpretation, actually. Usually when I mention that people say I’m wrong, he was freaking out for real. ---
**Author:** ![Ooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@Ooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ooner)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/48 "2001-08-09T03:50:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rossarian \* > \*\*I can’t think of the name of the movie, but that one where the kid forsees that the plane he is on is going to blow up. And it ends up that like 6 people temporarily cheat Death. So Death decides to settle the score, and takes every single one of them out in gruesome and painful ways, rather than just quietly in their sleep. I could barely stand to watch it, because most of the death scenes had this long buildup and I just sat there and squirmed. \*\* The movie you’re thinking of is **Final Destination**. I think it’s the only teen slasher flick of recent years to have genuinely disturbing death scenes. The one that sticks with me most is the kid who is strangled to death by a clothesline in a bathtub, SO close to safety. Also, the part with the bus. Dayam. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/49 "2001-08-09T04:06:12Z")
All of the carnage scenes in **Welcome to Sarajevo** really stuck with me. Of course the fact that most of that footage was actual people who were hurt or killed during the war made these scenes even more indelible. The other thing that haunts me about that movie is the beginning - when they show Sarajevo as a normal bustling metropolis in 1976 (I think) when the Olympics were held there. It’s scary to think that a city like that could be reduced to rubble so quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Baraqiyal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@Baraqiyal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baraqiyal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/50 "2001-08-09T08:28:35Z")
**Scanners** - Exploding head \*\*Dead and Buried \*\*– Syringe through the eyeball. **The Untouchables** – Guy’s head is smashed in with a baseball bat wielded by Al Capone. **Hannibal** – Death by Pig. \*\*Creepshow \*\*– Death by cockroach. **South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut** - Kenny’s heart is replaced with a baked potato. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/51 "2001-08-09T19:13:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by uglybeech \* > \*\*This is so easy- **American History X**. If you’ve seen it you know what I’m talking about. > > Nightmares (shiver shiver). \*\* SPOILER WARNING I finally got around to seeing this the night before last. I’m thinking of two death scenes, the one where Norton curbs the Crip who was trying to jack his car and the one where Furlong gets shot in the bathroom. I didn’t find either scene particularly disturbing (although they were both exceptionally well done IMHO), but was curious as to which one you were referring to. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/52 "2001-08-09T19:16:26Z")
And FallenAngel hereby reminds himself to read the entire thread before posting. Oops ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/53 "2001-08-09T19:18:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rossarian \* > \*\*I can’t think of the name of the movie, but that one where the kid forsees that the plane he is on is going to blow up. And it ends up that like 6 people temporarily cheat Death. So Death decides to settle the score, and takes every single one of them out in gruesome and painful ways, rather than just quietly in their sleep. I could barely stand to watch it, because most of the death scenes had this long buildup and I just sat there and squirmed. \*\* Yuck, Final Destination. The most awful movie ever. Disturbing just for the sake of being disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![23skidoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f04885/32.png) [@23skidoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/23skidoo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/54 "2001-08-09T20:34:21Z")
The scene at the end of **Heavenly Creatures**. It’s disturbing because you know it’s going to happen, but it keeps getting delayed. When it finally does, it plays out with very little “Hollywood” pretense (overacting, heart-tugging music, etc.), which makes it seem all the more real, and therefore, disturbing. Worst of all, it’s based on a true story. Damn good movie, however. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/55 "2001-08-10T00:38:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Badtz Maru_ > > \*\*It’s rare that someone agrees with me on that interpretation, actually. Usually when I mention that people say I’m wrong, he was freaking out for real. \*\* That’s why we are the smart ones, honey. ---
**Author:** ![bleach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bleach/32/3106_2.png) [@bleach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleach)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/56 "2001-08-10T05:50:52Z")
Here are a couple that came to mind for me: Lord of Illusions: A magic trick with swords that didn’t go quite right Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Marionette/sleepwalking scene Candyman: The death of Candyman Alien: “What’s the matter man, the food ain’t THAT bad?!” Here’s a fun one for free: In Friday the 13th part 7, Jason impales a promiscuous girl on a stuffed moose head, honoring Horror Movie Law #3: You Flash 'Em, We Slash 'Em. ---
**Author:** ![LocalLoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@LocalLoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LocalLoop)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/57 "2001-08-10T06:32:22Z")
“Unfogiven” - Clint and co. are on top of the canyon wall, trying to decide who is going to shoot the cowboy below with a rifle. It’s decided and it’s done, and you come away with a strong impression of how base and unglamorous taking a human life is. ---
**Author:** ![Tixenfleaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tixenfleaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tixenfleaz)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2001, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/58 "2001-08-12T14:20:57Z")
The hanging scene at the beginning of “The Dirty Dozen.” I saw it around the age of ten, and I wish my parents had monitored my viewing habits a bit more dilligently. I was shocked for days. I haven’t seen it in over 20 years, nor do I want to. The cold impassion used by stonefaced officers to dispatch a terrified kid just stunned me. Clinical and gruesome at the same time. I knew it was only a movie, but it still freaked me. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2001, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/59 "2001-08-12T16:17:57Z")
‘The Naked Prey’ (US 1966) At the beginning of the film, a party of hunters on safari in Africa is captured by some locals. Cornel Wilde is given a chance to escape but the others are killed. One unlucky fellow is covered in clay by some African ladies. He is then mounted on a spit and roasted on an open fire. Alive. The viewer doesn’t see everything but the imagination does the rest. Very disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![daffodil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@daffodil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffodil)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2001, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061/60 "2001-08-12T19:56:18Z")
I’ve seen a lot creepy or bloody death scenes, but the most _disturbing \* one I saw in \*\* The Believers_\* Otherwise not one of my favourite movies, but the electrocution of a mother, by way of a coffee-machine, I found way too \*\*real \*\* Still think about it, now and then. 😕 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-death-scene/75061.md?page=4)