Firefly/serenity, Can You Shoot Like Mal?

[Hsing-ee]

In the first episode of Firefly, 'Captain' Mal shoots dead a Federal agent who has taken a girl hostage. He draws his pistol as he walks and the shot is taken while he is striding towards the agent up the ramp of his space-craft and the distance is about 15 meters. It is a shocking piece of drama as it is an unexpectedly brutal decision on the part of the Captain, and also because the hostage is being held so close to the agent's body that it would seem impossibly difficult to shoot the agent without injuring or killing her as well.

Those of you who are bored might like to get the DVD and measure out the scenario and then practice and see if you can hit a 3" circle while striding up a ramp. Might be an idea to use plastic indoor pellets or an airsoft pistol for safety's sake. For realism, ride a horse through miles of scrubland first.

It's a great scene, but we must test these Hollywood conceits!

[bullbarrel]

Hang on. When has ANY hollywood shooting been true to life??

Damn fine series, damn fine film


Damn shame they aren't making any more.

[M100Elan]

You mean clint eastwood couldn't take a bad guy off of the saloon roof firing from the hip at about 120 yards with a cap and ball revolver?

The character Mal was a veteran soldier and probably could have taken that shot. From my take on the character he probably wouldn't have cared a toss if he missed just fired again.