Topic: Ennis's last words "Jack, I swear . . . "

[rimasworld]

I agree Lance, I don't think any other movie has ever made me wonder and think as much as this one has. Also, I go back and forth thinking it was this way, no it was that way about so many scenes and what people said, their body language and what was never really ever said but can be interpreted so many different ways. Great work of art.

[lancecowboy]

Yes, and I think it is the nature of great art that it captures the essence of the human condition, and giving us BOTH this way AND that way, because truth includes BOTH, and not necessarily one OR the other.

"Jack, I wish you knew..." says so much about the anguish and regret from Ennis...the driving force that is in the heart of his grief.

"Jack, I swear I will never..." also says so much about the potential and possibilities from Ennis...the determination to never make the same mistake, hiding his love for another, and to always hold Jack in memory, to keep faith with his one and only love.

What we see is often one side of the coin, and seeing both sides gives us a more complete picture.

[rdx]

Thanks lancecowboy and rimasworld!

The real greatness of the film is as you described: it makes you wonder and it leaves you thinking in a profound manner. After my second time I saw the film, it was on my mind for many many days: not just the last 30 minutes but the whole film.

About the translated line I mentioned earlier: the verb is in the present tense in my mother tongue. That makes perfect sense and expresses Ennis' continuous feelings towards Jack...was/is/will be.

And don't your worry about my language..all in a good time.


"I'll just roll up out here, grab 40 winks...and I'll ride out at first light."

[myprivatejack]

Yes,doubtless the story greatness is let an open window to each viewer interpretation,not only in this concrete scene.It's so deep that no matter how "strange" a translation could seem,you will always find a meaning that will makes you think over.In this case,and as LC has said,the Norther European translator has remarked a regret for a past behaviour that was all the contrary to Ennis wishes.In the movie,these enigmatic words look more to the future,when this past behaviour will be changed as a consequence of a bitter and rough learned lesson.Even the strangest Spanish translation (difficult to do it,by the way;Tammy translated into "Jack,there's something to see"...) can reflect Ennis sorrow by seeing time's passing -his daughter is already an adult woman at the point of marrying-and knowing that he won't be able to share it with Jack anymore...  
Anyhow,it's always a good disquisition about love,tolerance,and,above all,human contradictions and behaviour in general.A masterpiece,in sum.

[lancecowboy]

Yup. After all these years, still the greatest movie ever made and still learning something new. Thanks rdx. 

[rdx]

Even the strangest Spanish translation (difficult to do it,by the way;Tammy translated into "Jack,there's something to see"...) can reflect Ennis sorrow by seeing time's passing -his daughter is already an adult woman at the point of marrying-and knowing that he won't be able to share it with Jack anymore...  
Anyhow,it's always a good disquisition about love,tolerance,and,above all,human contradictions and behaviour in general.A masterpiece,in sum.

"Jack,there's something to see"...

I think this is a brilliant translation. It's like Jack is reaching to Ennis..telling him what to do. Beautiful!

[WildCatIsle]

I thought  "Jack, I  swear", in the context of the very end scene.

Alma Jr. announces her marriage  and wishes that Ennis goes wedding. How always, Ennis says NO, but what sees Ennis in Alma Jr. eyes? :  letdown that so many times saw in those of Jack. Ennis does something unusual for his personality, give up its job, to hell!!!, does not want missing few happy moments  gives  life him.

I thought here Ennis does his inside of; now he accepts what never he accepted; he accepts himself.

By this Ennis can swear to Jack; perhaps always he wanted to swear and never he could.

[myprivatejack]

I thought  "Jack, I  swear", in the context of the very end scene.

Alma Jr. announces her marriage  and wishes that Ennis goes wedding. How always, Ennis says NO, but what sees Ennis in Alma Jr. eyes? :  letdown that so many times saw in those of Jack. Ennis does something unusual for his personality, give up its job, to hell!!!, does not want missing few happy moments  gives  life him.

I thought here Ennis does his inside of; now he accepts what never he accepted; he accepts himself.

By this Ennis can swear to Jack; perhaps always he wanted to swear and never he could.

I completely agree with you WiC ¡ For me this has always been one of the multiples interpretations each one of us can give to these enigmatic words-and also to some other scenes and phrases from the movie-.The one of Ennis commitment with Jack beyond death,in the sense that he wasn't going to repeat one of the mistakes he committed with him;the one of letting him down,of destroying his hopes and happiness with a "no".Mistakes that he compromised not to reapeat with his daughter or any other beloved being anymore.

I have also liked what you have said about Ennis change;; now he accepts what never he accepted; he accepts himself. Yes,that's so true,IMO ¡.He now comes in terms with himself his faults and his needs,more than never before.That's the only "positive" lesson he could have from having lost what he had loved the most in his life;as it usually happens with all of us,it's such a pity that he had to lose him to realise a lot of realities...