THE WRATH OF GOD
US, 1972, 111 minutes, Colour.
Robert Mitchum, Frank Langella, Rita Hayworth, John Colicos, Victor Buono, Ken Hutchison, Gregory Sierra.
Directed by Ralph Nelson.
The Wrath of God is as odd a western as anyone could hope for. Directed by Ralph Nelson, veteran director who had made a wide range of films from Requiem for a Heavyweight to Lilies of the Field to Soldier Blue, the film stars Robert Mitchum as a priest, Father Oliver van Horn – who may or may not be a priest (think Humphrey Bogart in The Left Hand of God). He is confronting a rich landowner played with panache by Frank Langella. Rita Hayworth is his wife. (This was Rita Hayworth’s last film – having difficulty in remembering her lines and being criticised for alcoholism but in fact, suffering from the early signs of Alzheimer’s.) Various villains like John Colicos, Victor Buono and Ken Hutchison also appear.
The film has confrontations, melodramatic moments, high drama.
1. How did the film immediately communicate the political situation in Mexico? The executions and their impact? How important was the Mexican situation for understanding the rest of the film?
2. The character of Emmett and audience’s attention on him? (his Irish overtones), his relationship with the police? How did audiences identify him and follow his adventures through the film? Was this a successful device?
3. Response to Jennings? As a person? As a villain? His double dealings with the whisky and the guns?
4. First impressions of Father van Horne? His acting as a priest? His giving the blessing to those executed?
Did you think that this was to be in some ways a religious film? Why not? Why? How important for the development of the film and the understanding of characters was the car breakdown? Was this fate entering into the life of Father van Horne? Did he believe in fate?
5. The impact of the sequence for the delivery of the guns? The hanged man? The rape of the dark girl? The Mexicans? The shooting? how ugly an atmosphere did this create for the film?
6. Was this necessary for the impact of the film
7. What kind of person was Colonel Santilla? His obsession with his job? Did he gain any audience sympathy?
8. De La Plata? what kind of person was he? Did the audience have sympathy for him in his position of
revolution? Why? Did he have any right to rule the people as he did? How was this manifested in the film? Why his hatred of the Church? (Despite his mother?)
9. How did Father van Horne contrast with this atmosphere? Did you think he was a real priest or posing as one? How was his attitude ambiguous? Why did he decide to act as a priest in this village? What was his attitude towards De La Plata? To the Colonel? What did Van Horne intend for himself?
10. Impressions of Senora De La Plata? Her importance in the film? As a leader in the village? How important was her religion to her? Why did she support the priest? How did this contribute to the complexities of the plot?
11. The role of the Indians in the film and their relationship to Emmett? How important was this? What social comment did it make about the Indians and the Mexicans?
12. How successful was Father van Horne as a priest? Were you surprised at the reality? What motivated van Horne? Was he isolated? Was he unsure of himself? What was he seeking? How did he contrast with Emmett and Jennings?
13. How violent was the siege? Was this good adventure film material? Why?
14. How significant was the fact that Senora De La Plata killed her son? Why? Was this the only solution?
15. The irony of the cross falling on Father van Horne? How did this sum up what had happened to him? His contribution to the town? The religious overtones of his priesthood?
16. Was the resolution of the film too indefinite? How would you suggest the film should have ended?
17. Was this merely an adventure film? Could it have been in any way a religious film? The meaning of the title in view of the whole film? What values was it exploring? Did it do so successfully? Or was it an uneasy blend of action, violence, religion?
