The Ladykillers

How this film uses it

The Coens' remake of a 1955 British comedy moves the story to the American South. A garbage barge under a bridge replaces the goods train of the original. The gang poses as an early-music ensemble in a Mississippi widow's home.

Where to see it

The garbage barge scenes. The gang dumps what they dig up from the bridge onto a passing barge below.

How this film uses it

Music producer T Bone Burnett built the soundtrack from old gospel recordings and new ones by church choirs. The sound ties Mrs. Munson's world of church and faith to the story. It sets the film apart from the original.

Where to see it

The cellar rehearsals. The gang pretends to be a band while they tunnel toward the casino vault.

How this film uses it

The gang first uses the barge to get rid of the dirt from their tunnel. Later it catches the bodies they drop from the same bridge. The film ends with the cat Pickles dropping a severed finger onto the barge.

Where to see it

The final shot. Pickles drops Garth's finger onto the passing garbage barge.

How this film uses it

Mrs. Munson finds out about the plot and says the gang must return the money and come to church. Her calm moral certainty puts the criminals in a corner. In the end, she is the one left with the money, which she gives to a Bible college.

Where to see it

The confrontation in the cellar. Mrs. Munson tells the professor to return the money and go to church on Sunday or face the authorities.