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War of the Worlds, Harlan Ogilvy (Tim Robbins)

Site Rating: 30%
(ratings: 2)
Editor Rating: 12%
Writeup Rating: 67%
(ratings: 3)
Film: War of the Worlds (2005)
Deceased Character: Harlan Ogilvy (Tim Robbins)
Archetype: Ambivalent (Minor)
Killed by: Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise)
Killed with: Unknown and Uninteresting


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'One on One' icon 'Unsatisfying' icon 'Pointless' icon 'Offscreen Killing' icon
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Written by Old Bluffer 13th Jul 2005

Tim Robbins was almost a spark of interest in a film distinguished by a bland and unsympathetic cast of characters. Playing an unhinged survivalist intent on gaining revenge on the alien invaders, we had high hopes of him going out in a Blaze of Glory. He was even toting an axe and shotgun at one point, while his basement shelter was swarming with aliens, but we are sad to report that the predictable death did not occur.

Instead, Tom Cruise stops him going on a berserk blood frenzy and later, once the aliens are all gone, decides to kill him himself behind a closed door. The door is closed so as not to send his irritating daughter (Dakota Fanning, q.v.) into yet another screaming fit.

There was absolutely no need to kill old Ogilvy by the way. The only purpose in staying in the basement was to use it as a base to attack the aliens. If Ferrier wasn't interested in this suicidal plan he could have just taken his hateful whelp and left.

Don't expect DVD grabs for this death as I won't be wasting my money.



4 categories : One on One, Unsatisfying, Pointless, Offscreen Killing

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Other Death Reviews for War of the Worlds (2005)

Harlan Ogilvy (Tim Robbins)
Rachel Ferrier (Dakota Fanning)
Robbie Ferrier (Justin Chatwin)

Last Updated: 2nd Jun 2008
Number of views for this review since 30th May 2008: 173
This review has 5 comments. Reply to the comments
Comment 1 by 'AARGH!' (reply to this comment)
I see your point; yet Cruise's decision was motivated by the fact that the Robbins character was expressing a desire to sexually attack Cruise's daughter. Since Cruise can't be sure of his own survial, and since Ogilvy is crazed and may give everything away, Cruise kills him. With tripods everywhere, Cruise couldn't leave with his whelp quite so easily.

A dumb film, still.
Comment 2 by 'You are crazy.' (reply to this comment)
Well the guy was insane...you know? He thought he could kill one of those things with a shotgun for God's sake! Besides anyone who discriminates "War of the Worlds" Deserves to be shot and mutilated.
Comment 3 by 'Kooshmeister' (reply to this comment)
What makes you think Harlan couldn't kill an alien with his shotgun? Or do you mean one of the walker thingies?
Comment 4 by 'Matt' (reply to this comment)
This one really needs the addition of the Offscreen Killing category.
Comment 5 by 'Mr. Briggs Inc.' (reply to this comment)
Matt - Agreed in full
Nerfmeister - Yeah, I'm pretty sure if he killed one of the things then the others would guess something was wrong and kill him with one of the tripods