he forgave them. that's why he let them go, because he too wanted to be forgiven.
that a big part of being catholic, that no one, no matter what you do, is beyond forgivness.
i told you not to stop the boat. Now lets go. Apocaylpse Now

With its rape theme, this film was almost like a mirror opposite of Ferrara's earlier 1981 film "Ms .45" (aka "Angel of Vengeance"), which starred the actress who also scripted Bad Lieutenant and co-starred in it, as in that movie, the woman who was raped becomes so crazy after her ordeal that she decides to kill all men not just the ones responsible for the crime against her, whereas in this film, the nun manages to forgive her rapists and the lieutenant himself doesn't harm them either.
The greatest trick the Devil has ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist!

He was setting them up for death in he's own way, they where both heavy drug users with that amount of money when their not used to having that amount of money they either would of overdosed or bigged up their addictions to a point where they couldn't afford it and would of being more drawn into the life of crime. Definitely nothing good would of came out of them having that money they where hardly going to set up their own legitimate business and become multimillionaires with it.
I am the son of a man named Tom.

I think he was high

Because it was a really bad, stupid movie. That's why.
Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

Ive seen Death Wish! Vigilante justice does work lol

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well whether it's ultimately right or wrong is irrelevant; whatever his reasoning, he honestly believed he was doing the right thing even though it totally killed him to do it.
-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-
speaking of which, the ending was kind of expected, but it still got a slight jolt out of me. i love how both this and king of new york have a cop getting blasted in the face from one car to another.

no single person has the right to make that decision. Vigilante justice doesn't work.
Everyone deserves a chance at redemption even rapists. maybe him showing them kindness will help them to learn the error of their way and they will repent. Idk but it was worth a shot i suppose.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=heuerj88

Thanks, Spider.

I agree with cjh8504. Rapists, murderers and paedophiles have no place in society and deserve to die.
Hey, if medical insurance companies weigh the monetary cost agains the actual value of someones life when they make decisions, why should society foot the bill to keep these scumbags alive in prison.
"Cheatin' bitch !"

• R.J. MacReady

Why would you kill them? I don't see how rape gives you death penalty, but then again, I don't believe it should be given to anybody.

I guess. But, they still brutally raped a nun. I would have taken them in anyway. Or killed them myself. I certainly wouldn't have let them go.

forgot what eveyone else said. the reason he let them go is because it didnt matter any more, the church offered a reward for their capture (50K)and yeah he did have that 30K in the box, but that was only 80K combined where as he owed the bookie 120K. So basically he wasn't going gain anything in their arrest, the nun had made it clear she didnt want them arrested, so he did what he thought he should do, help them escape from NY, because if he didn't help them, some one else would come and arrest them because if you remember that black lady knew they were the criminals. beyond that most of that those other comments work to take it deeper, but on the surface, 50K for bringing them in, and the money he had, wasn't going to save his life, but he felt he could save theirs

I understand all that. I'm Catholic, myself. But, he let two rapists go, AND gave them 30 thousand dollars. What the?????

Yeah, its pretty disturbing, but:
The Catholics, in their infinite wisdom, believe deeply in the "fact" that God loves all of his children, the good and the bad. God loves them so much, that he sent his son, Jesus, to die for our sins. In this action, humanity received absolution for all wrong doing, hence, God forgave us. (Believe me, I am not an advocate of religion, but a little bit of background might make my explanation make sense.)
The Bad Lieutenant was created in Gods image, as all humans are. His life was obviously one that brought him all the pleasures and rewards that one can expect living a sin free life: family, children, prestige, employment advancement, beautiful house, etc. All seems well, right? However, at some point, things took a turn towards the avenue of sin and damnation for him. He gave in to the temptation of what Catholics refer to as "vanity", Self Love. Once starting down this path, he obtained his self indulgences by any means necessary: Police corruption for power, money and drugs, sexual depravity and manipulation. Violence, in the worst way, all in the name of wanting more, what his good doing could not give him.
For many, this is a fine way of living, however, the Catholics firmly believe that we are here to do Gods will, to live free, to honor fellow humans, and yes, to love God. But, they take shelter in their belief that no matter how much you have wronged, no matter how much you have sinned, no matter how much you have given in to the evil temptations, God still loves you. Ask for his forgiveness, pay your penance, and you shall be saved.
At the end of the film, The Bad Lieutenant realizes that the end is near for him, that he will be killed, and, following his belief system, he will have to answer to God for all of his wrong doing. He believes he is going to hell. However, after talking to the nun in the church, he realizes that he still has a chance to be forgiven, to make up for his evil. God forgave his children for their sins, he must see his way clear to follow suit, to love, unconditionally those who are impossible to love, hence, he decides to pay his penance,(I hope I'm spelling that right) by doing Gods actions, forgiving the sinners. So, he believes he will obtain his absolution in the eyes of God if he can somehow forgive these horrible men, which is what is Gods will. So, he forgives the sinners, in the hopes that when he is killed, God will accept him into the kingdom of heaven.
Yeah, like I said, its pretty disturbing. If you are a religious fellow, you understand what I am saying. If not, try to see it from his point of view.
Also, gotta love the fact that The Bad Lieutenant has no name in the film!
-Singapore