Depends on the circumstance. In Monty Python & the Holy Grail mutilation was funny because the green knight wouldn't stop fighting even after losing all his limbs.

Death is often used as a funny device in films. People die with silly looks on their faces, they die in funny ways. So really either could be humourous.

But the best way to think about it is, death can be an easier laugh, but mutilation can be a more humourous laugh if you don't put off the audience.

Sir S

The black knights mutilation was humorous in large part because his limbs simply fell off and red stuff spurted out. In death or mutilation gore will ruin any humor. So, I say death is funnier in general because people can die in all sorts of ways without anything disgusting.

Anybody seen the princess bride? Where that short roundish guy dies of iocane? See! Humor, no gore

Now why did I respond to such a strange thread?

EDIT: Damn spelling

Edited by - Warlord Bob on 29-12-2003 17:40:27

I agree with WLB.

My example, sorry all of you anti-Seinfeldians, is when George's fiancee dies of poisoning from licking the glue of the too cheap wedding invitation envelops that George insisted on buying... instead of the good stuff. She sort of looks up cross-eyed with tongue and lips in half pucker and keels over sideways onto the sofa. Good ol' slapstick.

No fuss, no mess, no gore.

@Indy with cc to WLB

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I agree with WLB.

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Am I to surmise that you don't entirely agree with me?

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But the best way to think about it is, death can be an easier laugh, but mutilation can be a more humourous laugh if you don't put off the audience.

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Isn't what I said, what you agree with?

BTW, check out a film called "Very Bad Things" that film is full of mutilation and death and is extremely funny. Also check out LotR director Peter Jackson's early film "Dead Alive," the mutilation and death in that movie is beyond the limits of any film before or after and it is so damn hilarious!

@Deviant, I can only surmise that perhaps you started this thread as a joke, but it actually is a valid question. I can find humour in anything and I often find things easier to bare if there is humour in it. For instance, I once watched the Alien saga 4 days in a row, 1 film per day. By the 3rd film I felt so oppressed with darkness and death that when Alien Resurrection was in I laughed histerically because there are a lot of humourous moments despite all the mutilation and death.

Sir S

@SnS

I thought WLB was more specific with how I felt about the issue than you. My not mentioning you is not intended to be disagreement.

What was the line from that movie? "A Man For All Seasons" ... 'silence means consent' ... here's a corollary then: Not mentioning your post does NOT mean disagreement with it.

Death....Mutilation....Death....Mutilation....Hmmmm hard choice...I know...BURNING!!!!!! BWAHAHAHA....

Ahem, Ithink both are really cool an funny an good job descriptons....Death is much better though....I love it....ITs like BAM an there gone such an end...soooo cool...

Im the Pyromanic Communist Sadist Chaotican....or just plain EVIL according to my friends...