THE KILLING OF ANGEL STREET

Australia, 1981, 96 minutes, Colour.
Liz Alexander, John Hargreaves, Alexander Archdale, Reg Lye, Gordon Mc Dougall, David Downer, Brendon Lunney, Caz Lederman.
Directed by Donald Crombie.

The Killing of Angel Street is from the production-direction team of Tony Buckley and Donald Crombie. Their features include Caddie, The Irishman, Cathy's Child. There is an interest in urban problems, especially in the victimisation of individuals by corruption - which is hard to identify because most people involved do not know the total truth and therefore perpetuate a corrupt system. The focus here is on the link between developers, the police and the New South Wales government. It is allegedly based on the situation in New South Wales during the 1970s, especially with reference to Juanita Neilson, the heiress who disappeared after campaigning vigorously against developers. There is much reference to her in the film and the central character parallels her in some ways.

The film is interesting as it moves along although, in retrospect, one can see a number of faults in structure and characterisation as well as continuity. Brian May's obtrusive score seems to anticipate all moods and is inappropriate. How ever, it is the kind of film where one can say it is enjoyable and has impact despite its faults. Sydney locations are very well used, Liz Alexander gives a solid performance as the crusading heroine and John Hargreaves gives a genial subdued performance as a communist leader of a builders' union (with echoes of Jack Munday). This is a popular contribution to the Australian films of the early '80s and tackles current social and political questions.

1. The quality of the film as a view of urban life in Australia in the 70s and 80s, The particularly Australian viewpoint about cities, conservation, development? Politics and police? The capturing of the lifestyle of the inner city? The contrast with suburban development? The value of this kind of social and political feature entertainment?

2. The picture of Sydney society - inner suburbs, outer suburbs? The unemployed, the poor, the squatters? The intellectuals, the unions? Police and government? The political background of the film - the deals between government and developers? Police corruption? Infiltrating the legal system? Corruption leading to violence? The reference to Juanita Neilson and her protest? Her disappearance? How valid the picture given of Sydney in the film? How pertinent the comment?

3. The use of Sydney locations, its skyline, the harbour, Angel Street, the old houses? The contrast with wealthier suburbs and homes? Offices, buildings? The atmosphere of Sydney?

4. The quality of the colour photography, editing and pace, the score and its obvious underlining of feelings and situations?

5. The situation of the developers: the demolition of old homes, the kinds of new buildings being erected, the purpose of the new buildings - especially for well-to-do rent-payers? The payoffs to the old inhabitants? The demonstrations and the nature of the protest against the developers? The protest of the unions? The thugs used to protect developers' interests, exercise violence on the locals? The police and their permitting this? The build-up to confrontations in demonstrations, the thugs throwing stones giving the occasion for the police to bash? The photos taken and confiscated after arrest? Atmosphere of riots? The violence and the arrests? Prison and bail?

6. The initial focus on B.C. and his living in Angel Street, his eccentricity in the neighbourhood and his reputation? His place with the demonstrators? The types of people around him - unions, squatters, trendies? His manner and appearance, way of speaking? His arrest? His friendship with Tommy, with Elliot? Popularity with the group? Imprisonment and his being bailed out? The return of Jessica and his joy? His explaining the background to her, friendship with Elliot? Alan as his son? Alan his future away from Angel Street? The discussions about the payoff by the developers? His celebrating in the pub? His return home, reciting the poetry, the set-up of his death? Its impact on the people, on Jessica? The delineation of his character? The memory of his protest throughout the film? The investigation of his murder?

7. Jessica and her arrival, her style of life, career overseas, failed relationships? Her return to Angel Street and walking the street, the encounter with Tommy, going to the police station? The elaboration of the situation in discussions with her by her father, Alan and his wife? Her wandering the house after her father's death? Tommy's testimony? Her wanting an investigation? Pursuing Scotty, Alan? The danger in her following up the investigation, the pressures against her?

8. Her establishing a link with Elliot? His background in the union, communist interests and the criticism of B.C.? Genial personality? Friendship with Jessica, her discussion with him in his office with the phones ringing? The establishing of the meting, the discussion about issues and pressures by the people at the meeting? The ugliness of the killing of the dog? The growing threats to all concerned? The threats to Alan and his career? His discussions with Jessica and his wife's reaction and not being told, her urging him to take a stand?

9. The range of people living in Angel Street and their views about developers? Jessica's visit to the head of the corporation, his evasive answers?

10. The presentation of the developers from the head of the corporation and his interview with Jessica, refusal to give information, contracts with his front? The thugs and the violence exercised by the corporation? The television filming of the thugs and their violence? The censorship exercised by the television reporters?

11. The reality of violence employed by corporations? The front for the operation and his nightclub background, his employing the thugs? His presence in Angel Street, atmosphere of menace? The reality of murder? Elliot and his taking photos for use against the thugs? The role that the thugs played e.g. the electrician? The kidnapping of Jessica, driving her through the city, taking her violently through the building and hanging her over the edge of the buildings? Covering her with alcohol and taking her to the police station? The subsequent humiliation of search and imprisonment?

12. Elliot and his work for B.C. and for Jessica? The support of the union, the arrangement for the television interview? His staying at Jessica's? Intimacy? His reaction after she cane out of prison and her revulsion? His apology and his failure in relationship to her? The arrangement for going to the television and his murder? The influence of his death on Jessica?

13. Tommy and his friendship with B.C., his evidence, his antagonism in the demonstrations? His being beaten and changing his testimony? His supporting Jessica at the television? The squatters and their friendship with B.C. and Jessica, the young couple and their arrest for drug possession?

14. Alan and his going up in the world, affluence, wife? His decision about pursuing the case? The encounters with Scotty - and the audience knowing that Scotty was in league with the police and being offered promotion? The cancelling of Alan's job? His presence at the end after taking a stand?

15. The police and their links with government? With the corporation? The golf sequence and the pressure on Scotty? Scotty's handling of Jessica and Alan in his office? The thugs disguised as police?

16. The impact of the old buildings in the inner city, the sequences of their being demolished?

17. The use of the media for information and public opinion? The selective newscasts? The talkback programme and the preparation? Jessica facing decisions as to whether she should go through with it? The discussion with the head of the corporation and her telling the truth?

18. The film's indication of the nature of corruption - so many individuals ignorant of the full implications and so corruption being able to spread?

19. The optimistic ending? The stance of the individual over corporations? The irony of the minister arranging for an enquiry and making his own judge appointee on the advice of the Police Commissioner? Themes of finance and business, greed, control, violence, manipulation? The purpose of the film in entertainment and social comment?