Just finished watching "The Departed" and curious to see if any one can logically explain why, at the end of the film, deceased William Castigan (Leo DeCaprio) was given a full-honors police funeral while not a cop? (no need to remind, that his 'TP' Trooper Profile was deleted by Sullivan (Matt Damon) and he was discharged from the Boston PD for crimes that landed him in jail before he joined Frank Costello's gang). Not a cop, not a trooper, yet a police funeral? Did Martin Scorsese's script make such a glaring ommission?
2007-03-03 10:19:41 · 12 answers · asked by Educated Gas 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
After his death, Billy Costigan was obviously no longer able to reveal Colin Sullivan's betrayal, so Sullivan no longer needed to bury the fact Costigan was once a police officer. So he decided to simply reveal it and transform the situation from a mysterious shootout into a tragedy which led to the death of multiple police force heroes.
As for the deleted file, Sullivan could suggest the character portrayed by Martin Sheen deleted it fearing the system would be compromised by Costello's man inside the Special Investigation Unit.
I definitely see your point and perhaps I'm reaching in my answer. This is the most logical explanation I can conjure, however.
2007-03-03 10:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Departed Script
2016-10-02 10:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing in a yellow 5X7 envelope (handed to the psychyatrist) could be proof enough for the PD to determine that William Castigan was a cop, especially considering he was discharged from the force for a commission of a crime and spent time in jail as a result . And therefore, no question whatsover about his trooper status.
Update 03/08/07 In response to some of the other answers here, Castigan's profile was completely erased by Sullivan. As such, no one ALIVE and on the force (Wahlberg was no longer on the force, as he 'resigned, put in his papers' and Sheen was dead) knew about Castigan's status as a cop or trooper. Therefore, even though he was on assignment from SIU (Sheen, Wahlberg) NO ONE outside this unit knew about his existence. Question still stands, I guess...
2007-03-03 10:50:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
While giving a post-shoot out inteview, Sullivan (Matt Damon) tells the investigators he wants to go 'on record' and recommend Trooper Castigan for a Medal of Merrit (sp?). That's problematic in and of itself, since Sullivan deleted the profile (and confirmed as such when confronted by Castigan on the roof). Sullivan's recommendation for Castigan, who's file Sullivan (and only Sullivan) had access to w/Castigan's password (Quinnan (sp?) was dead, Degnan (sp?) (Walhlberg) was not present because of suspension) , therefore Sullivan was incremenating himself by telling the investigators he knew of Castigan's status as a trooper, with no trooper profile file. Neither of which would occur as it would have raised red flags and Sullivan was not dumb by any measure. I can not come up with an explanation. May have to get in touch with the studio and/or Mr. Scorsece (sp..I'm a terable spelar)
2007-03-03 10:38:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you remember after the scene where Matt Damon caps his buddy you see him giving a diction of the events. You also hear him say that he was putting up "trooper Costigan for the medal of merit". Not a great explanation, but at least an explanation. As to how his records were recovered, who knows, maybe Mark Wahlbergs Character vouched for him, maybe not. Good point though!
2007-03-03 10:25:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its simply an attempt to downplay his negligence or complete disregard for the tax laws that the rest of us have to abide by. Senators from BOTH parties receive special privileges, which are unfair and wrong. Unfortunately, the Democrats are playing the partisan game by downplaying Daschle's missteps. I imagine that if he were a Republican, they would be up in arms. The same goes for the opposite. Congressional leaders look for any way possible to disguise their blatant partisan politics.
2016-03-28 22:32:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude he was a deep undercover police officer he was sent to prison so people would believe he actually was discharged from the force when in reality he wasn't he was placed in a secret assignment only known by himself, mark walburg and Martin Sheen. Watch the movie again you may have just missed that part when he was in their office and they described his future assignment.
2007-03-08 02:59:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I caught that as well, but I wrote it off as he was a master liar "would I be any good at what I do it I didn't already know that?" he had to have some ace up his sleeve. Just another lie, to cover a lie, to cover a lie. I like this movie alot.
2007-03-10 23:47:55 · answer #8 · answered by Heero Yui 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone basically answered this question as I would have, just one note: Scorsese didn't write the script.
2007-03-05 16:02:23 · answer #9 · answered by Rich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone has seen this movie,please stop giving away the endings.
2007-03-10 22:48:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋