THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL

US, 1959, 105 minutes. Colour.
Harry Belafonte, Inger Stevens, Mel Ferrer.
Directed by Ranald Mc Dougall.

The World, the Flesh and the Devil pre-dates a number of films which took up nuclear destruction and its consequences on the world. This film is about the last survivors of the destruction of the world and New York and its effects on them and their effects on one another. As such it is interesting without being a great film. (The same theme was expanded and dramatised in the 1971 Charlton Heston film, The Omega Man).

The film, acting, photography etc., are competent and it should appeal to science-fiction fans and audiences interested in this 'end-of-the-world' genre.

1. Has this, a good title for the film? What overtones did it have? Did the film live up to the title?

2. Is the film and its message dated now after so much science-fiction and nuclear alarm, or is it still sufficiently arresting to be interesting?

3. How did Ralph's burial underground set the atmosphere for the film - being buried alive, struggling to get out, abandoned by rescuers, alone?

4. Did you share his relief at getting out safely?

5. Did the picture of a deserted New York surprise you? Was this part of the story plausible, the evacuation and death of millions?

6. The film spent a long time dwelling on the empty city looking normal except for people. Why did it do this? What impact did it make on the audience?

7. What were Ralph's feelings to find that he was the only survivor? How would you feel? What would you do? Can you understand why Ralph got everything going again? What does this reveal about man's resilience and optimism? How resourceful is man (the Robinson Crusoe theme)?

8. Were you glad to find someone else alive? Why was Sarah scared of Ralph when they were the only two alive? What does this reveal about people being suspicious and hostile? How much did the black-white question have to do with it?

9. How did Ralph and Sarah relate? Why did they continue to live separately? How much did race have to do with it? Why did they quarrel? Why was the birthday such a good thing spoilt so much?

10. What significance did Ralph have as "The World" as his title? How much was Sarah "The Flesh"? How much
was the man "The Devil"?

11. Were you glad when a third person arrived? Were Ralph and Sarah? How had they got on together? What had they achieved? Were they sorry when a third person came? How important was it for Sarah - a husband and the marriage to be performed by "Mayor Ralph"?

12. What effect did the man have on each of them? Why did Ralph push the two together? Why could Sarah not love the man?

13. Why did the man feel compelled to make war on Ralph? What aspects of humanity did this point out? How did their stalking each other in deserted New York streets parody Westerns?

14. Was the conflict finally resolved? What do you think happened to each of them after the film ended? Why?

15. What had each learned about themselves as human beings?

16. How optimistic was the film? How pessimistic?