NIGHT OF COURAGE

US, 1987, 100 minutes, Colour.
Barnard Hughes, David Hernandez, David Hugh Kelly, Geraldine Fitzgerald.
Directed by Elliot Silverstein.

Night of Courage was adapted for the screen by the playwright of his play in this fallen city. It is an indictment of life in Los Angeles, in the suburbs, the gangs and their terrorism, the ineffectual response of the police. The film is a star vehicle for Barnard Hughes, an old man caught in a situation of trying to save a young Hispanic under threat from a gang, with a dying wife (guest star Geraldine Fitzgerald) and trying to cope with saving both. His suffers in reputation – for having turned out the boy to he bashed to death by the gang.

The police are too busy to investigate. The boy's teacher, Daniel Hugh Kelly, pursues the issue and comes to an understanding of the truth and respect for the old man. The film can be seen as based on a stage play, with structured sequences and speeches. It is melodramatic - using the flashback to give the revelation of what actually happened. Barnard Hughes gives a very good performance - making the old man quite credible. Direction is by Elliott Silverstein (Cat Ballou, A Man Called Horse).

1. Impact of the telemovie? For the home audience? The issues, the drama, the conflict? The adaptation of a play for the television screen? Stage origins?

2. The world of Los Angeles, the city, the neighbours, the poverty, racism? The violence

3. The title of the original play? The title of the film? The transition in themes?

4. The opening performance, Angel and his being Sydney Carton, the drama of his speeches? His talent? The fulfilling of the Sydney Carton theme by his giving his life?

5. The structure of the film: the narrative, the importance of the flashbacks and their insertion from a revelation of the truth?

6. Angel as a promising young Los Angeles Hispanic, his family and the background? Writing the play, performing as Sydney Carton? Relationship with the kids at the school, with the staff? Love for Marina, the news that she was pregnant, the dilemma about the abortion? Wanting to meet her family, their bigoted reactions? Asking Paul Forrest for the loan of money? At home, going for a walk, the confrontation with the group, their tormenting him, physical injury, taking his coat, making him run?

7. His fear, taking refuge in the house? The gang and their banging on the door, calling out to Abner? The confrontation with Abner, bearing Abby and her cries, coming down the steps? His decision to go out, imitating the old man's voice, saving him? The brutality of his death and the leaving of his body?

8. Abner, living in the neighbourhood for so long, his store, the story of the death of his son and his grief? Love for his wife, bringing her hope from hospital, the gifts? The night, going down stairs, the noise, leaving the door open? The accidents of fate? His behaviour, trying to save Angel, ring the police? Abner and his reputation gone because of the neighbours? People snubbing him, the newspapers? His reputation destroyed?

9. The media, the television interviews, the photographs, the newspaper articles, letter to the editor? The defence in the letter?

10. Abner and his wife's death, at the cemetery, working in the store and nobody coming in, the intrusions into the house? The gang intimidating him? The background of the war, his medals, a man of courage? His angers about law and order and the police - despite his liberal background and voting? The encounter with Paul, the discussion about the letter, Paul telling lies, the tape? His making up a false story - and the effect on Paul? His later telling of the truth, his heroism? Turning on the lights to save Paul from the gang?

11. Paul, Forest, his work in class, his image of himself as a teacher and doing good, his wealthy girlfriend, roommate? Discussions about the loan? His liking for Angel? Reaction to his death, accosting Abner at the cemetery, the intrusion, the lie about the letter? His being lied to - and believing Abner's false story? Norina coming to him and his realizing the truth? His attack on the police? The confrontation with the gang? The effect of Abner telling him the truth - and the change of attitude?

12. Abbey, love for Abner, her illness, coming home to die, trying to help Abner during the attack?

13. Marina, love for Angel, pregnant, telling him the news, overheard by her brother, her father and the brothers and their bigotry? The violence of their attack on Angel, the gang, the brutality? Leaving the body? Intimidating Abner? The police ineffective? Marina going to the police and telling the truth - and the assumption that justice would be done?

14. The world of the Los Angeles neighbourhoods, slums and gangs, the city swallowing up its young despite education? The police? Neighbours and their fears?

15. The role of the media, smears, reputations destroyed?

16. The theme of accidents of fate, three people trying to help one another and two dying, destruction of reputation?

17. Emotional impact of the film? For discussion of its themes? For further action?