His voice as well, I have always wondered if actors practice facial expressions, speech patterns and word emphasis in the mirror and memorize to recall when needed later..
I was really affected by this performance when I first saw it. The character is so intriguing and mysterious that I actually messaged Hauer's agent in 2011 asking about how he prepared for the role. Hauer noticed a review I did of the Hitcher, and he then sent me a personal message saying he would do a video about his experience working on the Hitcher as a response. The videos are still there to this day: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uc86tLMn_aE.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rGD_Gh3xiQE.html He will truly be missed. He really looked out for his fans.
Couldn’t agree with you more, and at risk of sounding obsessive, I think I must have viewed his dying soliloquy 20 times; moving in the extreme. Truly Shakespearean, and I understand he was ad-libbing most of it. Legend! PS: he was also excellent in comedy. There was a series on TV shown over here 🇬🇧 with him playing a hospital porter. Hilarious!
Although they do so every great now and then, Academy members find it excruciatingly painful to acknowledge sci-fi films and actors...most especially actors. Never quite understood why.
Yet he was so quiet, coy and calm in his interviews. He seemed so humble outside of his roles. That's just one example of how he was a great actor. He knew how to become another person and wield an energy he never truly had.
Oh, I didn't know he had died :( ; And this year aswell. Loved him in blade runner and blind fury when I was young. I really want to play the video game he did now "Observer" hope other fans of his will pick it up too. Shows I am getting old; all my heroes are leaving. Rest in peace Rutgar.
WHAT!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! FUCK!!! This was the very first role I ever saw him in, gave me the fucking chills the way he owned this psycho character. Such an amazing actor, I had high hopes of seeing him again in something worth his skills. Damnit! Thank you Rutger Howard.
For a split-second, it's the same _"That's the Spirit",_ look he gave Decker during the Blade Runner finale fight! 😃😎 One of my favorite Movies/Roles of all time!
He was terrifying in The Hitcher. But there are moments in the movie (such as this scene and when he replied ‘Disneyland’ to police interrogators) where he unexpectedly let humor through, as if to turn the heat down before it got too intense. The part where he put pennies on C. Thomas Howell’s eyes was also poignantly symbolic, as it alludes to the Ancient Greek custom of putting coins on the eyes of the deceased to pay Cheiron, the ferryman who would get them across the River Styx to the land of the dead. RIP Rutger Hauer
Definitely the best scene of a movie with some pretty awesome scenes. Hauer's quiet, playful malevolence always gets to me: he seems really tired, sad.
YES....RUTGA IS AMAZINGGGG. BUT THE KID IS JUST BEYOND AMAZING... THE ONLY ACTING I HAVE EVER SEEN THAT I BELIEVE WE WOULD REACT LIKE ACTUALLY IN REAL LIFE...IN THIS SITUATION
Rutger's look when hes asked why he's doing this is magnificent. It shows just a glimpse of humanity and sadness that then instantly dries up. A entire prequel movie in just a glimpse.
@@saxon1177 I have to agree with @F M on this one. I thought the same thing when I first watched this years ago. He definitely wasn't smiling. And the facial expression definitely didn't resemble someone laughing inside.
@@ppiorkowski1502 that look of humanity was a put on to tease the guy, it was an evil act and he got pleasure from seeing the guys expression from, "Maybe I have a chance after all" to "Oh, crap, he was just pretending and laughing inside when he saw my expression change from hope to despair." That's what I choose to believe because that's what evil does.
This is one of the most terrifying films ever made. Mostly because it’s so close to the truth of what actually happens in this world. Rutger Hauer is wonderful in this. A very under rated actor and now sadly gone.
Electric Presence, immense physical charisma, strong build, good looking, with an intense gaze and Teutonic blue eyes. He has a genius in him to play troubled, complex and violent character. One of the best in my opinion. A lot of his acting genius is physical...its in his stares and attitudes. RIP Rutger
I learned somewhere that the lines he improvised in the "like tears in the rain" scene are based on Dutch poetry. That one scene made the movie great. Without it, the movie gets forgotten.
he made to b grade movies in early 90.s. one blood of heroes is probably my favorite movie ever. the other i think was called saint martin i9 cant remember but it was awesome too, nothing like the old b grade 80s and 90s movies lol
Remember when acting was a craft? Remember when guys like Rutger Hauer commanded and controlled their scenes? What do we have today? Well, I can tell you that it's not this!
The most powerful villain is the one who exudes complete calm and control. They not only know they've got you by the balls, they also know that you know, even more important.
Főfasírozó yes dude it is. Empathy is only the ability to relate to someone by understanding there point of view, emotion stated and current situation. It has nothing to do with caring.
It’s happiness. *spoiler* Ryder is trying to commit suicide via Halsey through the whole movie. This is the first scene where Halsey was willing to kill him in cold blood. This shows his progress from scared kid, to cold blooded killer. This makes Ryder very happy. He also gambles that Jim did not check the gun that he left for him on purpose at the police station.
@@cptpapa Empathy has three stages, cognitive, emotional, and compassionate. This was the 1st stage and the only stage with which he can comprehend empathy.
@@azonicrider32 Empathy is the ability to relate to someone by understanding their point of view, emotion stated and current situation. If one is really good they can express the emotional back to the sender, but it has nothing to do with caring. However I do like majinbuss34 above theory as well.
I REMEMBER THIS SCENE VERY WELL IT WAS PURE MAGIC AND MANIC AT THE SAME TIME BRILLIANT STUFF RUTGAR YOU WILL BE SO MISSED BY YOUR LEGIONS OF FANS RIP BLUE EYES 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤❤❤❤❤❤
Yeah, I love this movie too one of my favorite phsyco killer movies ever Rutger did a great performance he was an outstanding performer for all of his movies...
@@flatisland My BluRay disk of The Hitcher (a limited German mediabook, luckily the film is not dubbed) includes a booklet which says that during the shooting of the film CTH asked Rutger how come he can play the role of a psychopath SO convincingly... Apparently Rutger gave him an ice cold stare and replied: "I do not play the role." No wonder CTH was absolutely terrified of him on and off screen during the shooting (and for years afterwards) :D I think Rutger had quite a bit of fun mindfucking with him during the shooting, haha...
Of course Rutger Hauer was so great in this movie, but so was C.Thomas Howel. Don’t know if any of you realize CTH was only 18 or 19 with no acting experience. I saw a “making of the movie video” where he talked about that he had had no acting experience and he was around all these people that did and he was in awe of that. For someone who didn’t have any acting experience he did a great job. He also said that Jennifer Jason Leigh never got out of character when on the set. Another really good actress! I don’t think they make movies like this anymore. One of the best.
He was a child actor. He was the main human role in E.T. He was in The Outsiders before this with a whole trove of actors whould become household names.
What a beautiful beast was, is and will be, Rutger Hauer!!! Simply the Best. One of the most hypnotic men I've ever met in my life Thanks, David to share this amazing scene.
Just heard about Hauer's death. He has always been one of my favorite actors. One of the most underrated actors in our time. A little acclaimed movie, "The Hitcher" was one of my favorites. I cannot imagine anyone else playing that role. As one commented below, the tears just keep coming. RIP RH.
The acting from both is incredible in this scene. Rutger's unhinged facial expressions and C Thomas is totally broken by him, he's a desperate man. Wow!
This movie was in almost constant rotation on HBO in the 80's (The Thing and Bachelor Party too!). My brother and I would watch it every time it came on. Also when Jennifer Jason Leigh hit my radar.
His face was incredibly agile. I know that's a strange way to put it, but it's the best way that I could describe how good he was with his facial expressions.
PinkOld yes Mr Howell was scared of Mr Hauer on set...he was a great big hunk of a man, so I'm not surprised! I could imagine he'd have packed quite a punch if provoked, I love tough sexy men like that!
@@desertrose1226 I've been told that Rutger back in his prime here, and especially in "Blade Runner," was quite the chick magnet, and your reply only confirms that. He was certainly no soy boy!
The opening scene is even better. An underrated classic. The charm Rutger gave his character made him so much scarier, rather than just a generic psycho how Sean Bean played him in the remake.
I picked up a hitchhiker once who probably thought it was funny to say: "aren't you afraid you may pick up a serial killer?" I told him: "No coz what are the odds there are two serial killers in this car?" They never did find his body, or that of the others.
The most handsome man in the world, gone too soon. Loved you, Rutger, always will. Talented. Gorgeous and kind. The tears won't stop. No other celebrity death has hit me this hard...not even George Michael. This is hard.
You know Rutger is one of the best actors of all time because there is no way anyone else would or could have played the parts he did and make them so convincing. Hitcher and Blade runner are just two examples of a master class in acting.
Rutgar had that special handsome look, that smile lovely blue eyes full of expression, he was so psycho in this delightfully evil scene ,mocking his victem deliciously
@@desertrose1226 I have been told many times that I look very much like him. In fact the only reason I know who he is, is because I heard it so often. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, or mean in any way, but I don't see it at all. I think I and Rutger are kinda homely lol
Rutger's Hitcher isn't a man... he's a human cat playing with his prey - purely out of fascination of what the prey will do before he finally breaks it's neck.
One of the 80’s most underrated films. Screenwriter Eric Red went on to write the even more amazing Near Dark (87) which has similar tones or themes. Hauer is unforgettable here... just wonderful to watch. There’s a shot of him after he shoots a helicopter out of the sky in his truck, smoke dangling from his shit eating grin mouth, cool as cucumbers, he was such a badass!
Lmao! I didn't know Hitcher and Near Dark are related! No 3 and 2 of my favorite 80's films. The Terminator is my fave and it could also be a cousin to those two
This movie set the standard for intelligent terror / horror films in the 1980's. The dread and despair that hangs over the entire story line is magnificently done.
mimuiao he looked ugliest in movies where he had to wear a moustache. Gorgeous as Rutger was, undoubtedly, a moustache did not sit well on his handsome face!
A terrific scene in a classic thriller. John Ryder (in his body language) expresses empathy towards Jim, while he's psychologically dominating and destroying him. The Hitcher is basically a BDSM version of that non-existent Roadrunner episode where Wile E. gets to enjoy his Roadrunner. Meep Meep! Hauer is on the top of his game, but Howell (as a relatively inexperienced actor) isn't too far off. Good stuff!
The symbolism of the coins cloaking the eyes is aeincint Celtic,Viking what people did to the dead on their journey from this world to a next existence.
I had seen the movie several times in the late 80's and 90's as a youngster and liked it, but watched it maybe 10 years ago as an adult and had a whole new appreciation for it. It's a great movie and Rutger Hauer was an amazing actor.
You don't know what you are missing ;) I became a hitchhiker myself about three years after seeing the movie - I hitchhiked very regularly for more than ten years around Europe, obviously not harming any people... and to my infinite luck, nobody harming me. Glorious days, for me the most exciting and romantic way of travel :) These days nobody would pick you up, I think, you don't see anybody hitchiking either... sign of the times :(
Me and my girlfriend picked this film up from the video store on a shitty movie binge and we were pretty disappointed when it turned out to be an absolute ride of pure cinema. Mostly in part to Rutgers performance. My personal favorite scene in this film was his introduction scene at the very beginning of the film when he’s routinely playing it coy with the main character, building up this same silent intensity seen here, before he just cuts to the chase. Absolute legend.
@@dmaximus73 Steven Segal?!?! Are you serious.????? He is terrible. Along with Nicholas Cage, TERRIBLE and Keneau Reeves, TERRIBLE, he was only slightly good in Constantine
I finally found a copy of this and watched it today. It's a no frills DvD with lots of film grain and some brief white noise, so it feels like a vhs which just enhances it for me. Found this film randomly on RU-vid years ago and it's been one of my favorites ever since.
I first watched this when I was 20 (I think!!!) Over the years I've watched it again and again, each time making me ponder on moments like this and others, the coins on his eyes to pay for the "ferryman" the almost paranormal way he appears, breaks free from custody etc. Is he possessed? Is he tired of doing something he's compelled to do?. The sheer scope of emotion he displays in this scene alone, pity, tenderness, cruelty, menace, and confusion at being asked that simple question:"why are you doing this to me?". Like his Guiness adverts proclaimed, Genius.
I loved Rutger Hauer in the Hitcher the story has so much up to your interpretation of his character came out from nowhere he was an unstoppable force who was relentless in what he had to do he just wanted somebody to stop him Challenge or test him but nobody could And that what he live for
I always felt there was an element of the supernatural to the hitcher.. something that elevates him from the plain psychopathic to more a malevolent force looking to test the limits of those he choose to play with.
I read one time a theory about Ryder that I enjoyed, someone wrote once that he was special forces in Vietnam war and that’s how he single handed took out a police station. Again just a fan theory but I liked that one
@@JohnDoe-rn6pz I did too brother. It adds to the mystique of how this guy is a one man wrecking ball. But I guess not saying a lot about him is what the director wanted
"The more images I gathered from the past, I said, the more unlikely it seemed to me that the past had actually happened in this or that way, for nothing about it could be called normal: most of it was absurd, and if not absurd, then appalling."------ W. G. Sebald.
I'm a little late to the party, but wanted to add my appreciation of "The Hitcher" and add that I think this is a much more important film than people realize. Consciously or unconsciously, one of the reasons it resonates with people is that it draws upon the Jungian idea of the Shadow self, our dark side that we either face and incorporate into ourselves or live in fear of the rest of our days. I think that's one of the reasons Ryder is never explained. That's also one of the reasons Ryder puts the coins on Howell's eyes - he must travel to the underworld if he expects to come back. Now why is this such an important movie? Because Eric Red, the writer (who wanted to direct it) later hooked up with Kathryn Bigelow, and many of the themes here reappear in "Near Dark," "Blue Steel," and finally the film that people will still be watching in a hundred years, "Point Break." All these films feature protagonists who meet antagonists who have traits they're unwillingly attracted to, most notably in "Point Break." Bigelow's storytelling noticeably went down when she turned away from his theme and only resurfaced in "The Hurt Locker," where you have Jeremy Renner come to realize that he's in love with a job that's practically guarenteed to kill him in the end. Since then, Bigelow's career has sunk again as she's turned away from exploring the attraction of the dark side, which is a real shame because she's one of the few writer/directors who can make you feel the pull, but if it wasn't for "The Hitcher," I don't think we'd have the others.
nice work! i've been studying diabolical characters for a while now. i love the depth analysis of Jung AND Watts. characters like Ryder really sets a tone i'm working on. i'm writing a 8 book series where i bring out the "shadow" in people pre / present / post apocalypse. the fine line between good and evil gets real blurry as the morality of humans dissolves. 9 rings of hell trip. cartels, psychopaths, sociopaths, scavengers, former police, former military all fall to the pull of madness. this will be uncomfortable for readers. i'm pulling from character traits of Hannibal, (ledger)Joker, Stansfield, John Doe, Colonel Kurtz, Anton Chigur...and Ryder of course. "you know...it doesn't really matter what race you are, where you've been or who you've become. once you're being dissected, everyone says the same thing."
Interesting point of view on Bigelow's body of work. There are still too many people denying their own dark side and she's done a good job of revealing aspects of it, be it adrenaline addiction like in Point Break or the self destructive nature of men like in The Hurt Locker.
Great scene!... Great movie!... And great actors! Rutger has always been one of my favorite actors! He will be missed greatly! Thank you Mr.Hauer for all of the great movies and entertainment through the years!... RIP!
Rutger hauer was a fine actor in his day, his performances in the hitch hiker and the blade runner movie were excellent to say the least..lt's hard to believe that he only passed away a few weeks ago...l hope his soul is in a better place!!
Indeed! Ebert didn't know what he was talking about with a lot of movies. Just look up what he said about Bladerunner (obviously also starring Rutger Hauer) at the time of its release.
@@killerfrank8974 He probably saw the theatrical release which had a terrible voiceover narration and happy ending, and wasn't nearly as good as the director's cut
Easily one of the best videos i rented from the video store back in the good old days. The terminator and nine and a half weeks were also brilliant. Most rentals were pure toilet.
