This is one of my favourite films ever.
** MINOR SPOILERS
The film is a great portrayal of a dead mans journey through to the afterlife. The engine driver at the start gives us the main clue when he says something like "This is for when you are in the boat, looking at the landscape and it appears to be moving..." sorry, can't remember the exact quote but it refers to the end of the film when we see the end of his journey. He also says "Why did you come all the way out here to hell"? There are tons of other clues in the film, which seem really obvious after seeing the film once. I always kinda though that he probably commited suicide when his fiance left him, but I guess that is pure speculation.
The boss of the factory is obviously supposed to be the devil, who is trying to take his soul at every point. I wish I knew more about religious symbolism, because the film is full of it. His spirit guide, Nobody, really makes the film. I love the way he recounts the journey that he had at his death as it seems like a mirror to what Johnny Depp is going through. Does anyone know what "Goddamn religious icon" the lawman is supposed to be? I'm not really sure about that bit and it contains such random gratuitous gore that I'm sure its supposed to be important.
It deals really effectively with the Americans treatment of the native Indians too. It's quite shocking to see the men shooting the buffalo out of the train windows at the start.
Anyway, those were just my random ramblings. Sorry if it doesn't make much sense. I'm glad someone else enjoyed this film too though
[ 27 January 2003: Message edited by: FunkyAlfonzo ]
[edit: fixed spacing (old thread) - 1234]