THE GLORY BOYS
UK, 1984, 100 minutes, Colour.
Rod Steiger, Anthony Perkins, Joanna Lumley.
Directed by Michael Ferguson.
The Glory Boys is a telemovie about terrorism based on a novel by Gerald Seymour, Harry's Game. It was made by Yorkshire Television, the producers of such series as The Harlequin romances.
The film has a strong American cast with Rod Steiger as a Jewish professor (variations on his Jewish themes from The Chosen to The Lucky Star). Anthony Perkins is the alcoholic and tough agent. The supporting cast is mainly English.
The film focuses on Israel, Palestinian terrorists and their linking up with the IRA for assassination attempt in England. The film reflects the international tensions of the 70s and 80s and the film moves at a crackling pace. The film highlights the contrasts between diplomacy, security and tough government action as well as the brutality of the terrorists. The title is ironic.
1. Interesting and entertaining espionage story? Terrorism? Israel, Palestine, Ireland, England? The 80s?
2. The variety of locations, international flavour, London settings? Stunts and special effects? the international cast? Musical Score?
3. The title, its irony, the focus on terrorism and the commitment of terrorists?
4. The opening, plans of the Palestinians, terrorist training/ The mission? Travel through Europe, the car pursuit, the police? Deaths? Israeli surveillance? French and English diplomacy? The situation with the professor, the tracking down of the Palestinian terrorist, the link-up with the IRA? Arms?
5. The Palestinian terrorist, escaping from the crash, shrewdly making his way to England? The phone calls, the Embassy? Making the contact? The Irishman - and the slip-ups with the use of names and English authorities finding out? The meeting of the two, the apartment? The tension of the Palestinian? Surveying the site for the lecture, getting the weapons? The clash between the two, friendships? Hiding out? The girl robbing the apartment and the Palestinian killing her? The police chasing them? The build-up to the lecture, getting the weapons, the assassination attempt? The shoot-out and the woundings? The Palestinian going on his own, the murder the airport worker, going onto the tarmac, security and the confrontation, his death? A glory boy committed to his cause? Anti-Israel?
6. The Irishman, his background and record? His girlfriend and devotion? Slip-ups on the phone? Meeting the Palestinian, friendship, clashes, dominance? Relationship with the girl, her parents? The plan of the assassination, surveying, arms? The murder and his reaction? The attempt, his being wounded, the girlfriends house, tying up the parents? Her informing on him? In hospital, questioned by the agent, giving the information? His death?
7. The Jewish professor, his reputation, target of assassination, Israeli security? The warnings? His wife, his telling her, wanting her to go home? Her support of him? In fear of his life? The clashes with the security men? The meeting with the British agent, his tough stances? In England, security, going to the lecture, the assassination attempt? His being whisked away? The decision, getting him on the plane. the second attempt? His reflections on the plane, sympathy for the dead security man prepared to give his life for him? The puzzle of his expertise, status, being a target? The irony of the news of his death by heart attack?
8. Anthony Perkins as a British agent, relationship with the secretary, the interviews, doing the job? His tough stance, skills, shrewdness? With the professor? With Israeli security? His own contacts and leads? Tracking down the Irishman? The Intel rogation, his using pressure and torture? The pursuit, the chase? The confrontation at the airport, the Palestinian terrorist moving his forehead and being shot? The agent being blamed for a public execution, losing his job and the finale in the bar?
9. British authorities, measured considerations, discussions, plans, information? Phone surveillance? The use of agents? Politicians in control? The Israeli security, well trained? The attack - and the security man falling on the grenade? The secretary and her contacts and work for the minister?
10. The girlfriend, love for the terrorist, finding out the truth, sheltering him, her parents tied up, her informing so that he would be safe?
11. The background of international terrorism, brutality, risks?
