THE RAGMAN'S DAUGHTER

UK, 1972, 94 minutes, Colour.
Simon Rouse, Victoria Tennant.
Directed by Harold Becker.

The Ragman's Daughter is based on a story by Alan Sillitoe, writer of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. While Sillitoe belongs to the kitchen-sink drama and novel writers of the late 50s, early 60s, this film was not made until the early 70s. Set in Nottingham and filmed there, it is a slice of life, a focus on a woman, her father, with scenes in the present and the past.

The film introduced Victoria Tennant who made many films in the United States, especially LA Story which was dedicated to her by her then husband, Steve Martin. Of interest is the director, Harold Becker, an American who returned to the United States and continued to make a number of thrillers for the next thirty years. His films include Taps, Sea of Love, Malice, City Hall, Mercury Rising and Domestic Disturbance.

1. The reputation of Allan Sillitoe? His stories, influencing English writing? The film versions of the sixties? the emphasis on social situations, realism, social attitudes? The presentation of anti-heroes? How well did this story fit into those categories? How was it different?

2. The importance of the film being made in the seventies, the flashback from the seventies to the sixties? The significance of memory and its influence? That the memories of the sixties look like the seventies? The interrelationship of past and present?

3. The technique of the flashbacks? an atmosphere of realism, pessimism in view of Tony's past and Tony's present? The dramatic impact of the framework of the flashback?

4. How important was the Nottingham environment, the way that it was photographed? Slums, Tony's poverty, the city itself, places of work? The contrast with the atmosphere of the rich, the homes? The places that were robbed? The surrounding countryside - as a place to escape to? Attractive?

5. How good a character study of Tony was the film? His presentation in the present? his getting the sack, bitterness, attitude towards jobs, memories of the prison past? His memories and regrets? Had he any hope for the future?

6. The contrast with the Tony of the past, the similarities? His being seen at work, his role as a petty thief, friends, ways of behaviour, lack of responsibility, a type within Nottingham society? An individual, his individualism, relationship with his stepfather? The importance of his meeting with Doris? Her personality, family background, self-made father and his attitudes, wealth? Her attraction towards Tony? The question of kicks? As a personality?

8. How did they help one another, the effect that they had on one another? The robberies and their participation, riding the bike through the countryside? Love-making? The importance of the baby? Doris's visits, the growing number of robberies? The arrest?

9. The effect of prison on Tony? His longing for Doris? The irony of her giving birth, of her marriage, death?

10. Tony left with his regrets, wanting to see his son, thinking of the meaning of his life? 'What did the film say about individuals, environment, class, ability to change, a fatalistic outlook on life?