Corrected entry: Julia dies in the underwater escape trick tank because the axe couldn't get her out in time. However, if she was able to open the lid from inside the tank, get up, over, and down, then close the lid (all quickly, silently, and without assistance) when the trick goes properly, then there is no reason that the four men standing around could not have simply lifted the lid, either acting a key in the fake padlock to preserve the trick, or using a key if it's real. At this point she could have gotten her head above water and draped her hands over the side of the tank to stay up. That done, the crisis is over, and she must only wait to calm down enough to get herself down, or be assisted. Cutter built the tank, so he knew how strong the glass was. The only explanation for using the axe was to allow Julia's death, thus advancing the plot.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.
Correction: You can imagine a number of things. First of all, even if they were able to unlock the lid how would they get it open? You need to get high enough to be able to open it, can't do that hanging from the side of the case. She is lifted into it by chains so there is no ladder to get up there easily. It's also possible only she can open the lid from the inside. Secondly I'm sure the idea is they had tested the glass and found an axe to be sufficient to break it in time. The problem for her of course is that she is under for a minute before anyone realise there is something wrong and she hasn't got the ability to get her head above the water since her hands are tied, there is also nothing to hold on to. You can see Angiers being indecisive about what to do, he is putting most faith on Cutter breaking the glass in time. They are all basically stunned from what is happening.
lionhead