26 replies to this topic

[agentjamesbond007]

I know towards the end, Bond left Green in the middle of the desert, giving him a coffee mug to drink.

Later M says that he was found in the middle of the desert with two [or was it three] bullets in his skull.

It also shows in the beginning title sequence, if you noticed, him firing 2 shots straight in front of him


So, did he kill him, or was it by coincidence that someone found him roaming the desert and chose to shoot him?

[Matt_13]

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

[sharpshooter]

I recall Michael G Wilson stating Mr. White was responsible for disposing of Greene. And if that didn't come to pass, Bond technically wouldn’t have killed Greene. The motor oil and the harsh desert elements would have, Bond just put him in that position.

[dinovelvet]

I know towards the end, Bond left Green in the middle of the desert, giving him a coffee mug to drink.

Of course he did.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

[Matt_13]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

"Your friends would know that so their probably looking for you."

They found him.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

"Your friends would know that so their probably looking for you."

They found him.

Well didn't M say to Bond that Greene was

Spoiler

found with his stomach full of oil?

If Quantum found him he was already dead.

Can't remember now, but will have to wait until next Wed to buy the DVD and reaquaint myself with the ending.

[Matt_13]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

"Your friends would know that so their probably looking for you."

They found him.

Well didn't M say to Bond that Greene was

Spoiler

found with his stomach full of oil?

If Quantum found him he was already dead.

Can't remember now, but will have to wait until next Wed to buy the DVD and reaquaint myself with the ending.

Hmmmm...yeah she does, so once he drinks the oil you think he'd die on the spot? I think that he could have been close to death when they found him and they just shot him seeing as how he was of no use to them anymore. Who knows, now that you mention it. It certainly wasn't some stranger who found a badly wounded gentleman in the middle of the desert and decided to pull a piece on the guy.

[Stuart]

I enjoyed the irony of Bond placing Greene in the position of dying of thirst after he (Greene) initiated a drought by stockpiling the water.

Also, he had led the Americans to believe that oil was involved instead of water so leaving Greene oil to drink was just icing on the cake.

Deliciously poetic justice.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

"Your friends would know that so their probably looking for you."

They found him.

Well didn't M say to Bond that Greene was

Spoiler

found with his stomach full of oil?

If Quantum found him he was already dead.

Can't remember now, but will have to wait until next Wed to buy the DVD and reaquaint myself with the ending.

Hmmmm...yeah she does, so once he drinks the oil you think he'd die on the spot? I think that he could have been close to death when they found him and they just shot him seeing as how he was of no use to them anymore. Who knows, now that you mention it. It certainly wasn't some stranger who found a badly wounded gentleman in the middle of the desert and decided to pull a piece on the guy.

Well, other than what we're told in the movie everything else is just supposition.

[sharpshooter]

Deliciously poetic justice.

Agreed, Stuart. I think it's one of the best villain demises in the series. Cruel and clever.

[BlackFire]

My guess is that Mr. White made him drink the motor oil and then killed him and left him in the dessert.

[sharpshooter]

My guess is that Mr. White made him drink the motor oil and then killed him and left him in the dessert.

Drinking motor oil and then being dumped in a dessert. A nasty meal indeed.

[Major Tallon]

I've been wondering why Greene took the motor oil with him. Having just been abandoned in the desert, and knowing that he had a long walk ahead, would he really lug the can of oil along, thinking that there'd come a point where he might actually drink the stuff?

Surely, a more logical reaction would have been "Whatever happens, I'm not going to drink that, and I'm not carrying it along with me," followed by Greene's tossing it away and starting to walk.

[Leon]

I've been wondering why Greene took the motor oil with him. Having just been abandoned in the desert, and knowing that he had a long walk ahead, would he really lug the can of oil along, thinking that there'd come a point where he might actually drink the stuff?

Surely, a more logical reaction would have been "Whatever happens, I'm not going to drink that, and I'm not carrying it along with me," followed by Greene's tossing it away and starting to walk.

Not really, dying in the heat of a desert is a very slow and painful affair - the human body can withstand a lot before it gives up. Poisoning yourself isn't a nice way to go, but it's a lot quicker than his other choice. You do realise that he has no hope at all of walking out of that desert, that's the whole point.

We know he was found and killed by Quantum because M also says he was found with two bullets in the back of his skull. It's perfectly possible he was found moments after ingesting the oil in a desperate attempt, and they shot him anyway to make sure of his death.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I've been wondering why Greene took the motor oil with him. Having just been abandoned in the desert, and knowing that he had a long walk ahead, would he really lug the can of oil along, thinking that there'd come a point where he might actually drink the stuff?

Surely, a more logical reaction would have been "Whatever happens, I'm not going to drink that, and I'm not carrying it along with me," followed by Greene's tossing it away and starting to walk.

Not really, dying in the heat of a desert is a very slow and painful affair - the human body can withstand a lot before it gives up. Poisoning yourself isn't a nice way to go, but it's a lot quicker than his other choice. You do realise that he has no hope at all of walking out of that desert, that's the whole point.

We know he was found and killed by Quantum because M also says he was found with two bullets in the back of his skull. It's perfectly possible he was found moments after ingesting the oil in a desperate attempt, and they shot him anyway to make sure of his death.

I really dislike that they added that detail about him being shot. The thought that Greene drank motor oil out of sheer desperation is an unsettling and unique demise to a villain- it almost makes you feel sympathy for a horrible individual. I don't know why the film makers decided to confuse and dilute from that powerful idea by adding that he was shot.

[DaveBond21]

I really dislike that they added that detail about him being shot. The thought that Greene drank motor oil out of sheer desperation is an unsettling and unique demise to a villain- it almost makes you feel sympathy for a horrible individual. I don't know why the film makers decided to confuse and dilute from that powerful idea by adding that he was shot.

I think they included that point to show that Quantum don't wait long before making sure operatives who are no longer useful are put out of the way before they tell too much - and to make sure that he was dead.

And it also helped to remind us that they are still out there somewhere.

[Flash1087]

I really dislike that they added that detail about him being shot. The thought that Greene drank motor oil out of sheer desperation is an unsettling and unique demise to a villain- it almost makes you feel sympathy for a horrible individual. I don't know why the film makers decided to confuse and dilute from that powerful idea by adding that he was shot.

I actually think that little detail adds to both Quantum AND Greene himself. I think it's telling to know that Greene drank the motor oil ANYWAY, despite it's toxicity and his overall predicament, and it really shows how ruthless and efficient Quantum is at silencing its operatives who have...outlived their usefulness...by the fact they shot him despite anything he'd have done. Besides, did Quantum even KNOW he drank the motor oil? Maybe they just saw Greene bumbling about the desert and did him in without a second thought.

[Double-Oh Agent]

My guess is that Mr. White made him drink the motor oil and then killed him and left him in the dessert.

This is what I think happened too.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I didnt like him as a baddy. He think they cast the wrong man. Glad he got done over in the end.

[Aris007]

I believe that Greene drank the oil by himself and after that Mr White found him and shot him twice. He killed him as he did with Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.

"Money isn't as important to our organisation as knowing who to trust!", remember?

[byline]

My guess is that Mr. White made him drink the motor oil and then killed him and left him in the dessert.

That's what I've always thought.

[Invincible1958]

Bond didn't kill him, but he caused his death by putting Greene in a position to kill himself. Revenge for Fields' form of demise. What a horrible way to go. Dying of thirst, but drinking the oil anyway knowing it would kill him.

Spoiler

That wasn't a coffee mug, that was a can of motor oil. Members of Quantum find him and shoot him.

That takes care of that.

Spoiler

Members of Quantum found him and killed him!?

How do we know that?

"Your friends would know that so their probably looking for you."

They found him.

Well didn't M say to Bond that Greene was

Spoiler

found with his stomach full of oil?

If Quantum found him he was already dead.

They found him - could have urged him to drink the oil - and then shot him.

Like Mr. White shot LeChiffre, he also shot Greene - that's what I'm thinking.
So I'm one with Black Fire and Double-Oh-Agent's opinion.

[Judo chop]

I've been wondering why Greene took the motor oil with him. Having just been abandoned in the desert, and knowing that he had a long walk ahead, would he really lug the can of oil along, thinking that there'd come a point where he might actually drink the stuff?

Surely, a more logical reaction would have been "Whatever happens, I'm not going to drink that, and I'm not carrying it along with me," followed by Greene's tossing it away and starting to walk.

Not really, dying in the heat of a desert is a very slow and painful affair - the human body can withstand a lot before it gives up. Poisoning yourself isn't a nice way to go, but it's a lot quicker than his other choice. You do realise that he has no hope at all of walking out of that desert, that's the whole point.

We know he was found and killed by Quantum because M also says he was found with two bullets in the back of his skull. It's perfectly possible he was found moments after ingesting the oil in a desperate attempt, and they shot him anyway to make sure of his death.

I had this same discussion a while back. I wondered the same thing Major Tallon did. In fact, at first viewing, I was disappointed to find out he had swallowed the oil at all, exactly because I thought it was so stupid of him to take it with him in the first place. It all felt a little contrived to me.

I’m better about it now. Greene is a bit of a slime and is probably quite familiar with the vice of cowardice, yet he’s obviously an intelligent enough person as well. As Leon states, it would not be completely illogical for Greene to realize his predicament (certain death either by way of dehydration or Quantum) and, being the coward he is (though I can’t really blame him), to take the can of oil as a method of suicide if things got too painful to bear.

On the other hand, suppose he gave in to a natural and stubborn instinct to survive and left the can of oil behind, as Tallon suggested? Greene says: “F-you, Bond! I’m going to make it out of here and I will have my revenge!”

Suppose he began his trek, dune over dune, for miles, losing body water to the heat until his brain began to play tricks on him and a mild madness began to creep in. It’s possible that, by that point, that can of oil might start to sound pretty refreshing, no? (People stranded at sea suffer the same effects and begin to have hallucinations that there is 'fresh water just below the surface' and consequently dive to their deaths.) So suppose Greene, having lost his grip on reality, circles about and heads back to the can.

I imagine him stumbling along his footprint trail, waving at imaginary fairies, unintelligently mumbling to himself, eventually exhausted to the point of crawling, until at last he comes across the oil can, and with a wild, sickeningly satisfied look in his eyes, hungrily slurps it down.

Death. Or near death. Greene lies there face down in the dust, skin crackling in the sun, staring distantly with an inky black ring about open lips set to an eerie grin, until Quantum eventually comes along and puts two in the back of his head.

[dee-bee-five]

Deliciously poetic justice.

Agreed, Stuart. I think it's one of the best villain demises in the series. Cruel and clever.

Seconded. It's these subtle, delicious touches which makes Quantum of Solace so brilliant for me.

[Major Tallon]

I've been wondering why Greene took the motor oil with him. Having just been abandoned in the desert, and knowing that he had a long walk ahead, would he really lug the can of oil along, thinking that there'd come a point where he might actually drink the stuff?

Surely, a more logical reaction would have been "Whatever happens, I'm not going to drink that, and I'm not carrying it along with me," followed by Greene's tossing it away and starting to walk.

Not really, dying in the heat of a desert is a very slow and painful affair - the human body can withstand a lot before it gives up. Poisoning yourself isn't a nice way to go, but it's a lot quicker than his other choice. You do realise that he has no hope at all of walking out of that desert, that's the whole point.

We know he was found and killed by Quantum because M also says he was found with two bullets in the back of his skull. It's perfectly possible he was found moments after ingesting the oil in a desperate attempt, and they shot him anyway to make sure of his death.

I had this same discussion a while back. I wondered the same thing Major Tallon did. In fact, at first viewing, I was disappointed to find out he had swallowed the oil at all, exactly because I thought it was so stupid of him to take it with him in the first place. It all felt a little contrived to me.

I’m better about it now. Greene is a bit of a slime and is probably quite familiar with the vice of cowardice, yet he’s obviously an intelligent enough person as well. As Leon states, it would not be completely illogical for Greene to realize his predicament (certain death either by way of dehydration or Quantum) and, being the coward he is (though I can’t really blame him), to take the can of oil as a method of suicide if things got too painful to bear.

On the other hand, suppose he gave in to a natural and stubborn instinct to survive and left the can of oil behind, as Tallon suggested? Greene says: “F-you, Bond! I’m going to make it out of here and I will have my revenge!”

Suppose he began his trek, dune over dune, for miles, losing body water to the heat until his brain began to play tricks on him and a mild madness began to creep in. It’s possible that, by that point, that can of oil might start to sound pretty refreshing, no? (People stranded at sea suffer the same effects and begin to have hallucinations that there is 'fresh water just below the surface' and consequently dive to their deaths.) So suppose Greene, having lost his grip on reality, circles about and heads back to the can.

I imagine him stumbling along his footprint trail, waving at imaginary fairies, unintelligently mumbling to himself, eventually exhausted to the point of crawling, until at last he comes across the oil can, and with a wild, sickeningly satisfied look in his eyes, hungrily slurps it down.

Death. Or near death. Greene lies there face down in the dust, skin crackling in the sun, staring distantly with an inky black ring about open lips set to an eerie grin, until Quantum eventually comes along and puts two in the back of his head.

Even though there's no support for this theory in the film, I like it a lot! How often does Fleming tell us that Bond survives some tough spot because, at the moment of decision, the will to live kicks in and he finds the moral courage and insight to get out of a jam? Here's the difference between Bond and Greene, who, faced with the prospect of defeat and death, surrenders to it.

Neat, very neat!

[00Twelve]

Deliciously poetic justice.

Agreed, Stuart. I think it's one of the best villain demises in the series. Cruel and clever.

Seconded. It's these subtle, delicious touches which makes Quantum of Solace so brilliant for me.

Indeed. I think it may very well be my favorite "main villain death" of the series. Not seen, just alluded to after a ruthlessly smooth abandonment by Bond. It all strikes a positively Flemingesque tone and I love it.