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Hi, let me start by stating the flammable (flame ahead): The ending might have been the logical ending for the movie, i.e. the only correct ending!
Unfortunately I don't remember all the devil's pictures. But I remember some, of which I can fit four or five into this theory. I have to see the movie again to see if it is indeed correct. Maybe some of you can enlighten me.
My theory is that Corso went through eight of the nine gates *before* the end scene!
Picture one:
Remember the picture of the man hanging by one of his legs,
and the other leg crossed behind (or in front?) of it? And
remember the NY bookshop-guy?
Picture two:
Remember the picture of a man with bow and arrow pointing
towards the castle? That man looked very similar to the twin
bookshop guys, who 'pointed' Corso in the right direction by
telling him to look at the signature.
Picture three:
the woman riding the multiheaded hydra-like beast? I'm not
sure whether the castle on the background was (partly) on
fire. But the face of the woman was looking very similar to
that of the nameless woman. And she did *ride* Corso.
Picture four:
The man praying while he is about to die (beheaded
actually). Balkan prayed (to the devil)and was about to die.
In fact he also was killed/murdered by another person. The
fact that it was by a bullet instead of a sword is not
important. Those etchings would never depict an item of the
future and therefore this had to be interpreted entirely
symbolical.
Alternatively it could refer to Balkan strangling the
satanic 'priestess' Tefler in her interrupted prayer. That
would explain why the nameless woman prevented Corso to
interfene. It had to happen for Corso to enter through this
'gate'.
Picture five (nine?): wasn't there a picture of just the castle at sundown? maybe the right time to enter if you went through the other gates before. Corso did. In fact the movie stopped when Corso entered the nineth gate. Fortunately so, because showing the effect of going through all nine gates is better left to the imagination of the viewers (no explanation needed).
Pictures six and seven I can't fit: The bearded man with two keys and the maze. The other pictures I can't remember.
My guess is that at the 'drowned man's' castle there was one of the gates after the drowning. (maybe a picture showing something in fire - referring to the book in the fireplace.
Why? Because everything points towards the nameless woman being either a manifestation of the devil (with limited powers, of course), or a demonic servant of the devil. Fantasy often theorize that knowing the true name of a demon, gives power over the demon (for instance to banish the demon). Nameless didn't want to give her name. Furthermore, she obviously had supernatural powers (floating down the stairs, disappearing within an instant, etc.). Third she resembled the woman on the beast in one of the pictures.
According to this theory, her task was to 'guide' Corso through the nine gates. Which she did. She even was one of the gates, herself. Remember that she insisted Corso to go to the castle? Was that only to see the killing and retrieve the half-burned, picture missing book? Not in my opinion.
Anyhow, if this theory holds, then Corso went through the eight gates, and the movie ends with him going through the nineth and final gate.
This was my 2P. I'd like some flaming and hopefully support. As I stated, I don't remember the movie clearly enough to inspect the other pictures (besides they're always shown only very briefly). Maybe someone knows a site where the pictures are posted?
How many gates have you passed? Bwuahahaha!
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