Sometimes a Great Notion - Incredible Scene

[ScottAtwater1]

Now everytime I look at my old McCulloch Chainsaw it will remind me of this, and

Never go out like this without a back up Saw.

[entertainerguitar]

Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, and others in this movie were great. This film was way ahead of it's time. The directing and acting were superb. It should be re-released today and I am sure that many would go to see it.

[tomkes100douchebag]

This flick really does speak to what is going on today. What do you do when everything just breaks down and it's only you? Didn'tlike the ending personally, but there is something great about this film, gotta keep reflecting upon what it might be.

[homeboycid]

this movie spat in the face of the novel

[cosmicdingo]

Right up there w/Jaws eating Robert Shaw as the worst movie death of all time.

[TheTreeman73]

nice old super pro 125!

[hamtrak]

RIP Michael.

[Staycalm59]

I've watched this movie many many time over the past 40 yrs. and this scene still gets to me.

[19630541]

One of the most heartbreaking scenes you will ever see.

[rboltt]

Rest in peace, Mr. Sarrazin.

[halfmonk]

this is an amazing scene but so terrible.

[AUSTINRINT]

looks like a spruce log

[norristerse]

jesus, that's hard to watch!

(i wasn't nearly as upset when he got shot in "3.10 to yuma")

[sawman090]

at 2:47 you can see the typical mcculloch starter rope kick back, then he hits the decom valve so it will pull over easer. If he was running a 2100 husky the guy wouldn't have drounded

[spockmcqueen]

There is a love scene shot w/ Lee Remick and the young stud that did not make the final cut in the movie.

Is the cut scene still in extistence?

[BunnyMan456]

The notion that one could faithfully adapt the original book, that one could even make an AUDIOBOOK from the novel is nothing but an enormous joke. The book floats so far beyond conventional narrative that the only way to pull off an adaptation would be to be conventional.  Proof being, this scene. It just works.

[funktapus]

Lee... was not there

[jewdicrous]

Whenever I see a movie adaptation of a book, it never measures up-but here, it is especially so. The mythic, rambunctious, square-jawed and wild-eyed look of Hank, Joby and Henry that I keep in my mind's eye is just not in accord with these characters' faces.

[otisloghauler1]

The best loggin movie.

[idahocountrygirl88]

I remember watching this as a child. I lived not to far from the place in the book. Makes me cry watching this now.

[AquaMan121]

Back in the 70's, Richard Jaeckel was a magnificent underwater performer. This particular drowning scene is one of his best. Also, during the "shark movie madness" (from '75 to '79), he acted in "Mako, The Jaws of Death", another watery film which featured his amazing bare faced breath holding talent.

[195511SM]

@AquaMan121 I was unaware that Jaeckel had a talent for underwater stuff. Thanks for posting. I was trying to recall some favorite "death" sequences and I remembered how this one has always astounded me.

[PowellCoryad]

Cool movie.. gonna watch it again for sure. Found it here - Full Movie World . com

[BobMonkfish]

@jilliism Yes, if you complete a highly annoying and invasive quiz.

[conman206]

This book is one of those that may just change the way you think about things. It did for me. I have never seen the movies because the movie is never how you picture the book, but I may give it a chance.

[JustAintthatWay]

@conman206 yes i agree totally a film no matter how well done

can never compare to the great book it is based upon

ive never read kesey's book but this - to me - IS a great movie

so i recommend watching it will it do the book justice? can it?

id be interested in your take

[ShadowSly72]

thats so sad... must suck :( he couldnt do anything at all...

[6GUNSOUTH]

I used to buck limbs for the old man with a little Homelite when I was a kid =(, that ones a super pro 81, McCulloch. We never went out into the woods with less than 2 of the big saws, you always had a backup saw-for work or emergencies.

[madhatte73]

Lookit the dawgs on that beast. That's a SAW.

[hamtrak]

RIP Paul,Richard.

[imbluz]

This scene hits me right in the gut.

[Disneyfan9]

This is the saddest thing ever. In the book you get a real since of how much Joby loved Hank and vise versa. Also, how Hank has lost to the river before and he fears it.

[JustAintthatWay]

@Disneyfan9 t/y for the additional insight ive neverve read the source material

[tobyzafa]

Fantastic book, just an ok movie. This scene from the book really sticks with you.

[BunnyMan456]

damn. goddamn

[scorpiodude65]

Never thought I'd see this again. Thanks for a really great memory Cammie!

[alex368029]

good argument!!!

[gapeach7355]

It was one of those movies that sticks with you... even though (overall) not one of Newman's "greatest."

This scene where the brother literally laugh himself to death has always stuck with me. These ten minutes are a real gem---never have forgotten them.

Thanks for the post.

[stevegitch]

this was a so so movie i like paul newman and henry fond but they should have stuck to movies not about logging. I can say this because I am a logger fourth generation cut timber for 17 years then on the rigging for a spell now I run shovel the movie has some good clips of what logging use to be like you don't see many 110 ft Berger's around much anymore or line shovels. I did catch a couple BIG boo boos though

[lottabills]

good one cammie... can you make one of the scene where paul newman cuts the union reps desk in half with his 36" chainsaw? that would be great, thanks.

[BORDERTRASH01]

That's exactly what I was searchin for when I found this! I love that scene! He undercuts it and everything, and when that paper flies off that bar when he fires it up! I can think of a few desks I'd like to do that to! Ha Ha!

[jusportel]

Yeah, it was a McCulloch, wasn't it?

[RatkoUSA]

Yup

[lrwpb]

dont ya hate it when your saw wont start, I can sympathise.I never like to see guys using saws and not wearing earmuffs, do you really think thats wise?

[Oldestjonas]

Do you know where I can find a copy of this film? I can only find it in laserdisc and since I left my Delorian at the Pepsi Clear factory I don't want that version. Do you own the movie?

[misterjoe3]

it's available on amazon in vhs format - not on dvd yet

[GordonMorrice]

It's on DVD here in Britain. Gorgeous 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer.

[hotwlmf]

This sequence stunned me when I saw it on TV 2 or 3 decades ago. The movie as a whole isn't so great (but then neither is the source novel).

[Newyorklumberjack]

love this movie ol " Hank stamper ,will sure miss him.

[Happy2BNRoundRock]

The best scene in the movie is the last, the arm with the finger showing their resistance to all the BS they had to indure.

[Harry44Callahan2]

Wish the clip had been longer to include the part where he tells them to watch for the log that is flagged to go by...because Joe Ben is nailed to it, he drowned. I'd love to see this entire movie again.

[Harry44Callahan2]

This movie was called Never Give an Inch when I saw it back in the early eighties. This was the most powerful scene...you could really feel Newman's anguish. A great movie that is seldom seen today.

[77pinehead]

Look at the literalist below. This is drama.

[proffromgview]

It's SUPPOSED to be about the most real kind of folks there are: blue-collar loggers in the PNW. So it may work for the ignorant (after all, how many Hollywriters or Kesey for that matter) use a chainsaw? But this incident could have been made better, simple. Loggers pride themselves on simple, practical solutions. That's why the DRAMA is weak here, because it's not real. It was supposed to be about the reality of this family

[rainmanx63]

What the fuck do you think you are talking about? Why don't you pick up a pen and tell us all about it...the way it really is. After you get your book published and on the best sellers list, then you can collect from the movie rights. And then all the rest of us will be enriched from your work. You suck

[proffromgview]

"You suck?" What are you, 10-years-old? The popularity of a book has NOTHING to do with how real the events in it are--do you get that? My point (which you completely failed to address) is that there ARE/WERE ways for Newman to have tried to save the guy that ANY logger would have done. ANE one that I know. But Kesey's world is not the logger's world any more than your world is the adult's world. "You suck!" Waaaaa. Grow up, kid.

[rainmanx63]

Are you clueless? Do you understand that these are ACTORS? This is a drama not a documentary. Yes, anyone who knows anything about saws could've got that old mac running. YOU missed the point. Paul Newmans character came up with a practical solution. It didn't work. I had several classmates in school that didn't have a father anymore because theirs was killed in the woods. Kesey did a good bringing that heartache to the film. I really want you to try and do better.

[proffromgview]

You're an idiot, and it's probable that if you indeed had any classmates whose fathers died in the woods they were stupid too. But I think you're lying on that as well. I doubt if you've read much of Kesey, but he was high half the time, so maybe I shouldn't expect much from a half-baked clammato like him or you. Yeah...of course it's a drama, dummy. No kidding. So why not have Newman be an alien? Idiot. Newman was supposed to play a logger, but Kesey--like you--was clueless....

[rainmanx63]

You obviously have some romantic attraction to the loggers of the northwest, I can understand that. Where are you from? Oklahoma? Back in the days of the big timber a lot of men died, and yeah there were alot of widows in logging towns. Also I hate to break it to you, but there is also a hell of alot of alchohol and drug abuse in that industry. Just like Kesey himself most of the loggers love to get "half-baked" on either booze or dope. Yeah I am clueless to be wasting my time talking to a Okie.

[proffromgview]

You're even more of a fool than I thought. I was a sawyer for the FS in Washington--I used to cut down trees for a living, fool, and some of them were on fire. Don't give me any crap about "big trees." The PNW (where I am from and the setting for SGN) ran out of "big trees" long before you were sucking on the tit of the pig that raised you. It's YOU who have the romantic idea of the industry--right now, and for the past 30-40 years, it's a garbage operation. So shut up and sit down.

[rainmanx63]

Oh wow! You were a "sawyer for the Forest Service", And you cut down trees? That would be "cutter" or "faller". But I wouldn't take that title either if I were you, not when you work on a mexican thining crew. Lets just say you were a glorified brush cutter. You're on the right track though about old growth logging., or as you call it "big trees". That era ended in the late '70s. And cheer up, the FS would hire you back selling tickets to the Mt. St. Helens monument, Or cleaning toilets.

[rainmanx63]

Another thing. I don't really give a shit if you hurl inults at me. But I was raised to respect another mans family and especially his wife or mother. I know if you talked to me face to face you wouldn't insult my mom. Not out of respect of course, you don't have any, but out of fear. Meet me at the Mineral Tavern and call my mom a pig. Nuff said?

[proffromgview]

Look, moron. You first tried to say you had "classmates" whose dads worked in the "big trees," if that's true, you're old. So shut the hell up about trying to be tough; if you lied at the first (which is probable), you're too young to even know what you're talking about. When I worked for the FS, I worked on an initial attack fire crew, and just form hearing your shit, I'm pretty damned sure I've spent more time in the woods than you--unless you count the time in your trailer.

[rainmanx63]

You're like a anoying little fucking knat. Very perceptive though. I don't remember caiming to be a tough guy, but you figured that out on your own. First you prove to everyone how little integrity you have by insulting my motherand now you call me a lier?I am getting a little old, my back and shoulders are a little fucked up from years in the woods and racing dirt bikes, among a lot of other aches. On my WORST day I would teach you some humility.

[proffromgview]

"Little?" Funny. Yeah, I had you pegged as a welfare case and moron from the beginning. "Racing dirt bikes?" You are right out of the stereotypical white trash casting room, aren't you? Again, you're a simpleton wannabe, a brainless welfare case living out his useless years. Let me guess, you have innumerable wrecks of cars on your front "yard," you have no idea how many brats you have spawned, and you're right out of the movie, Idiocracy. Is that about right? Pffft. Get lost, tyke.

[rainmanx63]

The drama is over people. I wont respond to this guy again.

[proffromgview]

Oh....PS. Not ALL silent letters are "k's." ("knat?"). Wow....did you even attend HS or were you tossed out before that?

[lrwpb]

get a life

[proffromgview]

Let me finish the absurd notion of "big tree" logging in the NW. There haven't been any "big trees" being logged in 60 years. 95% of the NW logging is 3rd growth, and the so-called "big ones" that are left are 2nd growth. So...."rainman"..I would imagine that you're a geoduck-loving, tough-guy wannabe, oldster, living in a trailer off of 20 or 22, mold growing in the closet, and making up bullshit memories as you drift into senility. So shut the hell up

[proffromgview]

there're even tubes that would have worked on the chainsaw.....

[proffromShutUpBitch]

hey proffromgview... one thing that would of never worked... telling your mother to take my dick out of her mouth and get lost! - that NEVER works... the whore loves having my dick in her mouth at all times!

[proffromgview]

should have got a tube/hose from the engine in the truck (or was it accessible?)....Great actor, as a logger? Well....

[prnkstr222000]

that was big news down by siletz river on oregon coast when they were filming i know because i was there

[1polonium210]

One of the greatest novels ever written and movies ever made.

[verytallone]

I saw this movie at the base theatre in the Air Force. I'll never forget that scene. One of the saddest in movie history. I remember the packed theatre was so quiet during that scene you could hear a pin drop.

[integral]

Ya. Both in the book and in the movie this scene is just so incomprehensibly sad. I was searching YouTube to find it and now don't even want to watch the clip.

[154163152742]

i remember the movie so well ... the woodsy cinematograhy came thru so distinctly you could almost breath in pine scent in the darkened theatre hall

this without question the most gutwrenching movie scene ive ever watched.

saw it at the show as a kid. haunted by it ever since.

and had to stop it here @ 4:57. just too difficult to watch.

newman, fonda, remick and of course richard jaekel (sp?) in his stunning oscar worthy perfomance here.

thnx 4 the utoob.

[154163152742]

oops ... sorry about the typos. embarrassing.

[bunnyhuntress]

Saw this movie in the theater as a teenager...have NEVER forgotten this scene. Almost had to turn away watching it now....

[BenTheMaster19]

Kesey wrote sometimes a great notion to show the day to day life of "gypo" (today they would be called independent) loggers who scratched out a living cutting timber. I lived and logged in Oregon and it is a tough way of life. I saw a lot of loggers die doing this job.Its a rough way to go

[budahgee3]

It seems like Oregon is cursed. I have lived here my whole life and even on your best day it always feels like you're doomed. Deep down you know that something bad is gonna happen to you. If you are reading this comment and are thinking about moving here, don't, there is nothing here for you except depression and doom.

[tmarkl]

Sometimes I think what we need is a tragedy to wake us up. And sometimes we need to go to the ocean, take off all our clothes and jump in. We do not need Pepsi! I think Oregon is one of the nicest places in the world. And I have been to an awful lot of places.

[webeustoo]

You can try to keep people out but once they find out how beautiful the state is you won't be able to fool them with the gloom and doom line, they will keep coming. OH YEAH, gotcha, terrible place, ugly, stay away. Sometimes I'm so slow.

[highballselkirk]

This was a good movie....of course, I only started to watch it for the hot blonde in it. Who was it - Lee Remmick?

[gary257]

Charley Pride sang the opening song; I can't find that either...

[odelayyy38]

it actually is out on dvd now, i have a copy of it

[dniez1]

Eh, what country ?

[mPuzzlem]

Yeah, talk about haunting, I just re-read the book, for the 4th time and havnt seen the movie in about 20 years.  As good as this movie, and scene is, the book....my God, the book.....

[jonestpm]

Listenting to the radio today and they asked about movies that made men cry. This scene is what immediately came to mind.

[Nedders]

Want another fun factoid? This was the first movie EVER SHOWN on HBO!

1972 was the debut of the network, and this film had come out the previous year.

[bsbungie]

Thanks so much for this. I've had the memory of this film trapped in my brain for over 30 years. It is an incredible film. I wish they would release it on DVD already.

[dniez1]

Same here! Now i finally saw the scene here. The title i got somewhere on a discussion-board some years ago. Now i'd like a DVD...

[dniez1]

never give a inch

[boatman1953]

One more thing. Why do people spell "no one", "noone"? I see this all over the web and it bugs the shit out of me. There's no such word as "noone, unless you're talking about Herman's Hermits and Peter Noone.

[kermsroomy]

Chill out.......and take the last train to Clarksville on a Pleasant Valley Sunday!

[prophesize]

I don't think grammar applies in the world of Stampers and "Never Give A Inch!"

[boatman1953]

I saw it when it was originaly released and the scene with Jaeckel was the one that always stood out. On its original release the movie was titled "Sometimes A Great Notion", then they re-titled it "Never Give an Inch". Finally, it was re-titled after its original title again.

[howelldrake]

Thanks for the factoid. However..."Never Give an Inch"? What asshole came up w/ that? That's like calling "Hamlet," "Don't Doubt Yourself."

[prophesize]

I believe it is "A Inch" because that is what they say in the books. And yes, it is purposeful; stampers don't give a inch, even to grammar.

[hamtrak]

I miss Richard Jaeckel, a great actor!

[lalalukens]

Haunting scene from an unforgettable movie. I 1st saw it as a kid and I wish I could find it on DVD. By the way, was the title of this movie called "Never give an inch"? I know it's based on Keseys' book but it seems to me that that was the title.

[gapeach7355]

The movie was originally released under the same title as the book "Never Give An Inch" (that's what it was called when I saw it in early release) later, in that same year the name was changed to "Once A Great Notion."

[PALLADINARC]

Sometimes I live in the country,

Sometimes I live in town,

Sometimes I have a great notion;

To jump into the river and drown

[tmarkl]

And I sing,

Good night Irene

Good night Irene

Good night Irene

Good night Irene

I'll see you in my dreams.

[benyaminmoore]

I always wondered if they got the title from the song Good Night Irene. ??

[tmarkl]

This is kind of interesting: Lead Belly was in jail in 1934, first put in 1930 for knifing a white man from a fight. A petition was sent to the governor to see if he could be released - and on the other side of the petition was a song of his, Good Night Irene. A prison official recorded that he got out because of good behavior, but Lead Belly and his son believed it was because the governor liked the song. He claimed it was called Irene because a uncle of his told him that name.

[tmarkl]

This was a Ken Casey original, was it not? Excellent Movie!

[gravitysbowofcolor]

yeah. ken CASEY. he wrote "one flew over the CAKEHOLDERS nest" right?

[lindazguy]

still the best movie i've ever seen. love the end with the ole mans arm on the boat!!!!!it says take that !

[kenster1221]

Great Movie-Hardly noone has seen it, missed a great one about everyday life

[lorpailleur]

You're so right my friend. Great script, great actors + great directing = great movie. By the way, I've read somewhere that for some reason, Paul Newman took over the director during the filming of the movie.

[lorpailleur]

One of the most moving underrated movies I've seen in my life, especially this scene. When Jody dies, Hank yells out of desperation and the camera moves away and then you see the surroundings. How powerful, how encompassing nature is, and how alone Hank is in this vastness.

[novamist]

That is indeed heartbreaking! It's so moving how Paul's character, Hank, stayed with his friend until the end! :'(