Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Grim Reaper on Film

I once wrote about my favourite Devils, Lucifers, and Satans, and I'm back in the macabre mood, so I'm gonna tell you about my favie harbingers of death. The Grim Reaper. What a character. In film he can be portrayed as silly, serious, and mofo scary. Here are the 3 best.

Scrooged (1988)

While he's more of a "ghost of Christmas future" you can't deny the reaper-ish qualities of this dude. And when his scene was coming, I always got a little uncomfortable. He doesn't say a word, but his appearance says it all. "I'm here for your soul, bitch."


He's tall, dark, and robed, and he gives me the willies. I still managed a giggle when Frank mistakes him for an actor, then rips open his outfit to reveal writhing moaning demons.

Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)

Although this Grim Reaper, coming for the souls of our protagonists Bill and Ted, is scary and has a sinister purpose, you kinda like him. He learns to cut loose a little and starts living the afterlife. Haha see what I did there?

He's actually played by William Sadler, or as I know him - Breaker, from Demon Knight (1995), in which he was trying to preserve life, not suck it away.


Meet Joe Black (1998)

Thirdly, and most sexily, is Joe, aka Brad Pitt. Generally I'm not a Pitt-fanatic, but he ain't hard to look at in this role. This version of death is quiet, demure, sensual, and innocent. He's not a malicious soul-sucker, but just a guy doing his job, really.


Are there any other amazing death representations on the big screen?

1 comment:

KeLLy aNN said...

The game scene in Bill and Ted with the Reaper was the best!
2 out of 3, 3 out of 5...