Re: Talk about the Cairo butcher in Raiders?

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Posted by graml from mariner.org on August 11, 1999 at 08:16:25:

In Reply to: Talk about the Cairo butcher in Raiders? posted by MegaDarth on August 11, 1999 at 07:58:40:


: I was just thinking about this guy. They show the storyboards in that prop book, of a hillarious scripted scene where a Cairo swordsman misses Indy with a blow and it cuts the butcher's meat. The butcher keeps on cutting as if nothing happened. Now, this guy made it into the movie, right behind Indy as the black-robed swordsman appears, chopping away and oblivious to everything. He also looks just like the storyboard. So, what's the significance? Did they remove the scene after they realized that shooting the swordsman would be the funniest part of the movie, and they couldn't have two spots like that back to back? I'm sure of it. If we were still laughing at the butcher, the guhshot would hardly be funny at all. Maximizing reaction. Check out how Spielberg films the scene in Jaws where the shark emerges as Brodie chums. Its so effective because its maximized by nothing important happening beforehand.

: So, did they film and cut anything with the butcher? If not, why is he still there? For no reason?

Hey. I'm surprised you haven't heard this story. It's part of Hollywood
lore. Supposedly, George Lucas wanted the king of all fight scenes;
Indy's bullwhip versus that big guy with the scimitar. Anyhow, on the
day of the shoot Harrison Ford was suffering from severe "intestinal
discomfort" (to put it politely) and couldn't go through with the scene.
So he improvised, and had Indy unholster his revolver and shoot the
grand-standing swordsman. I think it turned out well, but I'm sure the
fight scene would have kicked some major... uh... butt. Just my two
cents.
-graml

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