Oreochan
Since: Dec, 1969
Apr 10th 2012 at 3:54:04 PM
•••
The following need more context:
"Learning without thinking is labor lost. Thinking without learning is dangerous."
Sorry, but I disagree with the interpretation of a crucial moment of the movie. The confession scene at the balcony is not a “Broken Pedestal”. Uhl (with a small group of stormtroopers) has invaded the theater, arrested Eisenheim, and took him to the precinct. The believers are outside to support Eisenheim and to demand his release. Uhl tells him that he has to tell the people that is all an illusion. He promptly goes to the balcony (Uhl tries to stop him, realizing what will happen) and make the confession that Uhl asked him to do. Conveniently starting with: “I have been speaking with the chief inspector”, implying to the crowd that the authorities are threatening him. At this moment, Uhl gets away from the balcony, knowing that if people see him, it will help Eisenheim move. You can see, by Uhl facial expression that he understand the consequences of Eisenheim speech. Eisenheim asks the people to go home. Eisenheim cannot be arrested for fraud anymore. If Uhl arrests him for any other accusation, this will help Eisenheim, because the believers will think that they arrested him so he cannot recant his coerced confession. Not only everyone still believes in his supernatural powers, but also they are absolutely sure that he made the confession under coercion of the authorities. Then, in his next presentation, the “duchess’ ghost” appears to say that the wrong man have been arrested and the real murderer is in the theater.