Bechdel Test Movie List

/bech·del test/ n.
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

[[0]] Broken Arrow (1996) [imdb]

This movie passed 0 of 3 tests. It was entered by neil (webmaster) on 2009-08-09 18:55:34.

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neil (webmaster) said:
According to the credits there are two female characters, but "Wanda" is never seen (speaks one half sentence and can only very shortly be vaguely seen as a silhouette through a tent).

Terry is a major character, and being a female of course ends up having to be saved by the male protagonist multiple times.
Message posted on 2009-08-09 18:55:34
C.V. said:
Yes, Terri is a major character and she does end up being saved by the male protagonist several times. HOWEVER, she also saves him multiple times. She is actually a pretty kick-ass character. She is not forced into the action (by kidnapping or similar) and she does not get involved because she has a crush on one of the male leads. She gets involved because she's doing her job, a job she does very well. She has knowledge and skills that help a great deal in hindering and ultimate defeating the bad guys. She kills a few bad guys all on her own - with no male in sight assisting her.

Unfortunately, there are no other women in this film, but she actually interacts with few other characters besides the main protagonist, making this more of a buddy film anyway. And, even though the other characters she interacts with all all male, they are also all the bad guys. And I would rather see her prevail in her hand-to-hand fight against the bad guy than have that guy replaced by a woman so we could have a gratuitous, and therefore less satisfying, fight against a female bad guy. She is forced to fight harder and we assume she will be defeated - and thus need rescuing - but she's persistent and fit and smart, enabling her to defeat the bad guy and save herself.

So, no, this doesn't get any points on the Bechdel Test, but it ought to get an honorable mention for even including a character as smart and heroic as Terri Carmichael.
Message posted on 2013-09-02 23:18:22

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