The Deadly Tower
By devonavis
@devonavis (1854)
Greece
January 13, 2013 6:01am CST
I just finished watching this 1975 movie. I think most of you heard or have watch this already. This movie is based on a true incident that happened on the afternoon of August 1, 1966. This is a story of a 'thought-to-be' mentally disturbed young student and former Marine named Charles Whitman, played by Kurt Russell. He killed his own mother and his wife then went to the Tower of the University of Austin, Texas (his school) and begun a shooting rampage. He used high-powered guns so the police could hardly shoot him back or even get near the building where the entrance of the tower was located. After hours of shooting, the building was finally penetrated by the police. A young policeman, Ramiro Martinez played by Richard Yniguez, who was off-duty that time was able to stop and kill Whitman with the help of two others, one police officer and one professor of that University. After the shooting rampage, at least 14 people were reported dead and 32 others were wounded.
An autopsy of Whitman's body was performed and revealed the presence of a malignant brain tumor that may have triggered his behavior.
Officer Martinez and two other officers were awarded the medal of honor while the professor who helped received the highest civilian award.
Such a story!
5 responses
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
13 Jan 13
I remember that day well.
I was not in Austin that day, we were actually going to fly home from New Jersey, and just as we were going to leave for the airport, I saw the new break on the TV.
Everyone came back inside to see the news and then we worried all the way home on the plane about our friends who were in town.
As it turned out, it seemed a LOT of our friends were down on campus that day. One having lunch at a restaurant, a couple more at the movies, one father was down at his lab.
Fortunately, nobody we knew were hurt, but it was a very worrisome trip home.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Really? That must be very terrifying to people on that area when that happened. I tried to research for this incident and I found some stories from the internet. I think this incident really brought a big impact to people that even a film was made from it. I feel sorry for the victims.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
14 Jan 13
It still does.
August 1st they do certain things from the tower, they have bells that they play that day.
The tv stations have specials, KUT, the radio station on campus, does things.
You realize that this was the first mass shooting of this type - right?
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
16 Jan 13
Was it? I didn't know about this. Thank you or informing me. I just watched the movie and knowing it was based on true story, I did some research about the incident but I did not find anything saying that it was the first mass shooting of that type. Is it only in the US?
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
14 Jan 13
I haven't seen this film, you hear so much of this happening in real life, with all the shootings that are going on, slaughter of the innocents and people just snapping and going on a killing spree. Not a film that I'd want to watch to be honest. It makes you wonder why people snap and do horrific massacres doesn't it.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
16 Jan 13
You should see this film. You may not be pleased with the quality(remember that this film was made in 1975) but you will surely appreciate it. I downloaded it from isohunt and it was the best copy I think.
I think the way of living or life of the a person plays an important role in the development of his behavior. Environmental factors also is one factor. We see a lot of incidents similar to this, and sadly, people quickly make judgments with out knowing the background of that person.
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Jan 13
I recall this in the news back then. I think that the malignant brain tumor is something that is a basis for debate as far as the list of characteristics of serial killers. There is a list of certain things like the fire freak, disecting animals,over bearing mothers and etc. If a person has three or more of these WATCH OUT! Many have had some major hit on the head in their childhood. I always find this sort of thing interesting. Cool how these officers and the professor worked together and received these awards. ANd the bran is such an interesting organ. I am just now watching a series of Frontline videos about the teenage brain. Interesting stuff.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Yes, most of the people who do brutal killings have for sure something abnormal in their brain that causes such unusual behaviors. That is why it is very important to have a regular general check up to make sure everything in the body is working perfectly. Brain is one of the most important organs in the body because it controls everything, and if something's not right in there then surely everything will be messed up.
This young police officer was really brave in doing that, even though he was off duty that time. How I wish every single police officer is like him.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
14 Jan 13
So the movie depicts the behavior of a person who finds himself to be having an ill-fated disease, which made him somehow manic. And because of his fear for not having any solutions for it, it has caused him to do crazy things, to the point of being less caring. cold-blooded person.
We can see an almost the same scenario in our daily lives. That when people do get despair, they do things that they are no longer afraid to do even if it would mean having to take his own life.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
I agree with you mommy! 
I was just reminded about some similar incidents, like the Sandyhook shooting and also some shooting rampages in the Philippines. Really these people who do this are crazy. No person with a normal sanity can do this. I really think that these actions are 'mentally-ill'-related.
I was just reminded about some similar incidents, like the Sandyhook shooting and also some shooting rampages in the Philippines. Really these people who do this are crazy. No person with a normal sanity can do this. I really think that these actions are 'mentally-ill'-related.
@vernaC (1491)
• Romania
13 Jan 13
Heh..talking about brain, I just remember suddenly the movie Hannibal. He was opening the head while the man is still alive, cut a small part of the brain,cooked it and fed it to the man, the owner of the brain
.. This part never came out from my mind
. Anyway, I don't know about that movie but you said it's true story, seems like shooting rampage is not just a mental illness, it's also genetic, passing from generation to generation for history to repeat itself.
.. This part never came out from my mind. Anyway, I don't know about that movie but you said it's true story, seems like shooting rampage is not just a mental illness, it's also genetic, passing from generation to generation for history to repeat itself.@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Haha What a movie! I never heard of it before but I might check and download it. I like movies that are full of thrill. Eating your own brain must be something that will really freak you out. 
Yes the movie, The Deadly Tower, was based on a true story. You can actually find some stories about this incident from the internet. This is really scary.
Yes the movie, The Deadly Tower, was based on a true story. You can actually find some stories about this incident from the internet. This is really scary.