THE REIVERS

US, 1967, 111 minutes, Colour.
Steve Mc Queen, Mitch Vogel, Rupert Crosse, Will Geer, narrated by Burgess Meredith.
Directed by Mark Rydell.

The Reivers is based on a William Faulkener story. Reivers are rascals; in this case they are pleasant rascals in southern U.S. 1905, played by Steve Mc Queen and Rupert Crosse. However, the central figure is an eleven year old boy, Lucius, who trusts the Reivers. They persuade him to disobey his grandfather and they take him on an adventure which tests him and makes him grow up, regretting that he has lost something of his innocence. Director Mark Rydell was impressive with his film - The Fox. He later made - The Cowboys - with John Wayne.

1. Was this a happy film? Why?

2. Comment on the re-creation of the period - homes, clothes, cars, manners etc. How effective was this for atmosphere of the film?

3. Was the theme of the film linked closely to the particular period?

4. How effective was the narrative structure of the film? An older man telling a story which was presented visually through a boy's eyes?

5. Did you like Lucius? What kind of boy was he?

6. Boon - was he likeable? How did he fit into the town?

7. Ned - was he likeable? Did he fit into the family and town?

8. What kind of family were the McCaslins? What characterised their way of life? What were their standards?

9. How important was the car for them all and for the film?

10. Should Lucius have believed Boon and gone on the trip? Why did he go? What effect did the lie have on him?

11. Should Boon have taken Lucius to the brothel? How was the brothel presented? Was this meant to be taken seriously?

12. Why did Lucius fight over Boon's girl? What effect did this have on him - on the girl?

13. Did you enjoy the episodes about the horse? Why? How important were they for the theme of the film?

14. How did the grandfather react to Lucius' behaviour? Were his final words wise? How did they give point to the film?

15. What had Lucius learnt by the end of the film about life, growing up, right and wrong? How much regret was voiced by the narrator about doing wrong and the loss of innocence?

16. Did the film successfully evoke the growth from childhood to early adolescence for its audience?

17. How was the filming of the race sequence a good attempt at showing Lucius' exhilaration in riding the horse and racing? What did this achievement do for Lucius?