Posted by bill rooks on November 16, 1997 at 15:45:47:
In Reply to: Re: on the subject of troublesome lines... posted by Marie on October 31, 1997 at 16:45:50:
: : : "He must be tried and hanged just like any other criminal!"
: : : Tried and hanged?? Has the notion of innocent until proven guilty not taken root yet? Isn't this a bit harsh?
: Colonel Munro knew for a certainty that Hawkeye would be found guilty. He himself, as the officer in charge, would probably have been the one to pronounce sentence. Cora knew this, and also knew how unfair it was. And tells her father so in no uncertain terms. "Justice?! If that is justice then the sooner French guns blow the English army out of America the better it will be for the people here!"
First post guys.....go easy on me. But I think I have the key
to this line, Munro's attitude, and our misconceptions about English justice. You see, England, as do we, ensure a fair trial. That is part of English justice. HOWEVER, in England, and France and most other European countries.....the accused is
presumed GUILTY unless proven innocent. It is the defense attorney's job to DISPROVE the case against his client, not the
duty of the state to PROVE the case. Therein lies the difference.
Let me say.....I LOVE this film. As a past re-enactor, and a maker of custom longrifles, and a history buff, this is in my opinion the BEST movie of the period. Now, I wish the same director would re-visit Northwest Passage!!!