CARAVANS

US, 1978, 123 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Quinn, Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O' Neill, Christopher Lee, Joseph Cotten, Barry Sullivan, Jeremy Kemp.
Directed by James Fargo.

Caravans was directed by James Fargo who worked as an assistant to Clint Eastwood in the 1970s.

The story is exotic and provides an opportunity for Anthony Quinn do another ethnic variation. Michael Sarrazin and Jennifer O’ Neill were popular in the 1970s. There are some cinema veterans in the line-up.

The film was based on a popular novel by James Michener, best known for his Tales of the South Pacific. This film broadens its adventure appeal by focussing on the United States and the Middle East struggles of the post-war period, especially with the establishing of the state of Israel and the disputes in the Asian sub-continent between Pakistan and India. In view of the conflicts of later decades, Caravans is of more than passing interest.

1. An enjoyable adventure? An exotic action spectacle? The perennial appeal of this kind of adventure?

2. The work of James Michener? His reputation, scope? Adaptation of a long novel to the screen?

3. The beauty of the Iranian colour photography? Panavision? Locations, atmosphere? (Some critics commented on the National Geographic presentation!) The portrayal of the tribe, customs, way of life? The final military action adventure?

4. The musical score, the theme song and the lyrics? Comment on the character of Mark.

5. Audience interest in the Middle East in the middle of the 20th. century? Arab countries? Islam? The way of life, laws? 1948 and the post-World War Two period? The establishing of Israel? Iranian territory? Pakistan and India? The interest of the United States in the area at the time?

6. The audience identifying with Mark? His story holding the film together? Our entering the Middle East world with him, experiencing it through his experience? American style, a western man, pleasant characteristics, assumptions of arrogance?

7. The portrayal of the Middle East: caravans and tribes, soldiers, women? Mark's rescue? The basic situation as outlined by the ambassador and Henderson? His mission? The American point of view and the Senate backing? The use of veteran Hollywood stars in the old statesman roles?

8. Mark and his personality, drive? His work in his mission? His being absorbed by the country. the scenery. atmosphere? Long distances, desert, transport, villages? The help received from the various personalities? The experience of frustration? The particular sequences highlighting the way of life e.g. the dances, the executions? The encounter with the colonel and the information given? The doctor? His success in doing his job - but his needing to be rescued? As a symbol of American know-how and lack of experience in this world?

9. Ellen and what she stood for - American politics., wealth, western way of life, her marriage. her leaving her husband and what he stood for., the attraction to the caravan. to the way of life of the East? Her friendship and dependence on Zulfigar? Observing the East through her eyes in comparison with Mark's impressions? The personal tensions and drama? Friendship with Mark? Her refusal to go back? Her reflections on what she had achieved? The irony of her death?

10. Anthony Quinn as Zulfigar? His being at home in the role of a caravan leader, his place in the tribe. style, justice? Attitude towards Mark? Ellen? The involvement in the gun-running? The build-up to the attack. the surrender? The pathos of his watching the tribe at the end?

11. How interesting was the detail of the way of life – travelling, meals, drinking, religious customs, jealousies, executions? Sexuality - the boys, rape etc.?

12. The political background of the gun-running situation? As seen by the Americans? By the Russians? Indians? Pakistanis? By the gun-runners themselves?

13. The build-up to the battle? Ellen's death? Mark's rescue? Zulfigar and his involvement?

14. How enjoyable and satisfying a glimpse of a different way of life, different times? Probing of politics, issues? A genuine feel for the situation - or a variation on a camel opera?