The Internet has found the worst death scene of all time. It showed up on sites like Reddit and Gawker yesterday after appearing on Metafilter and io9.
There’s only one problem: It’s not the real death scene. The video collector(s) over at CDTCrew first uploaded the video after reediting it last week, this time with more “AAAHH!” As the San Francisco Chronicle points out, you can see the original (and still pretty amazing) version in the clip below, starting at around 2:04.
This clip, from the 1974 Turkish film Karateci Kiz, or Karate Girl, is not entirely unique. Many aspiring thespians do their finest overacting in their death takes. After all, it could be their last moment on screen, so they’re going to writhe and arghh for all its worth. Herewith, some of the best of the worst death scenes ever.
Slaughter Hotel (1971)
In the final scene from the Italian film Slaughter Hotel, which is clearly inspired by Arthur Penn and Dede Allen’s work on Bonnie and Clyde, one actor realizes that it’s never too late to start gunning for that Oscar. Perhaps he was inspired by legendary overactor Klaus Kinski, who also stars in the film.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
Here Jackie Chan demonstrates that the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique also works in other places, though the real action plays out on the victim’s face. Extra points for the final musical cue.
The Mutilator (1985)
Maybe chainsaw-death really makes you flail like that?
King Cobra (1999)
Those who say that Pat Morita’s best performance was as Mr. Miyagi may be overlooking his performance in the straight-to-video King Cobra. I’m not quite sure why he starts spinning around? Perhaps he should have tried a crane kick.
Enter the Ninja (1981)
Leave it to Golden Globe-nominated actor Christopher George to take a more understated approach. YouTube uploader eagleclaw has a close reading: “Moments before dying, the Enter the Ninja villain suddenly realizes the futility of it all and the meaninglessness of man’s existence in a cold, uncaring universe.”
