WORK IS A FOUR LETTER WORD
UK, 1968, 83 minutes, Colour.
David Warner, Cilla Black, Elizabeth Spriggs, Alan Howard.
Directed by Peter Hall.
Work is a Four Letter Word is based on a popular play of the mid 60s, Eh, by Henry Livings. It was directed for the screen by Sir Peter Hall noted director for the Royal Shakespeare company and the National Theatre. His film direction was limited to such films as Three into Two Won't Go. The film is a star vehicle for David Warner, a star with the Royal Shakespeare company at the time. Popular singer Cilla Black is in support. The rest of the cast consists of actors from the Royal Shakespeare company. The film seems somewhat outdated in its farcical presentation of industrial England. However, it is in the same vein as such films Terry Gilliam's Brazil.
1. A film its age, 60s, impact in later decades? Social comment, by farce?
2. The strong credits, the play, the director, the cast and its Shakespearean background?
3. The futuristic Britain, the city, the echoes of Fritz Lang's Metropolis's People Went to Work? Industry? The musical Score, the credits song?
4. The world of England and industry, individuals and work, the corporations, employment, job schemes, fulfilling quotas, class distinctions? The contrast with Val’s out look on life, jobs, the growing of mushrooms?
5. The background of mushrooms, the immergence of drugs in the 60s? The atmosphere of the 60s and the flower people, hippie hopes?
6. David Warner as Val , at home, getting up, following the horses with his pail for the manure? The mushrooms? His love for Betty? His father? Work, eccentricity? His manner of speaking, taking things literally? Searching for places with steam and heat for his mushrooms? His research? Betty persuading him to get the job? the interview with Mrs Murray? The clash with the minister in the church - and later in the preparation for his marriage? The meeting with the managing director, the clashes? The farcical aspects of clashes and chases in the factory? The confrontations? The happy ending?
7. The managing director, the executives in the sauna, the reaction the Val ? Types, arrogant? The managing director and his flirting with Mrs Murray? Supporting her during her collapse? The board meeting? The clashes with Val ?
8. The management level, their style, board meetings, Tony and his girlfriend?
9. Betty, nice, her mother, going to work, hoping to marry Val, the simple life? Outings with Val, the preparation for the wedding, the wedding itself? Involved in the farcical happenings on the plant?
10. The minister, ousting Val from his church? The marriage preparation and his hostile reaction? His presence in the factory?
11. The enjoyment of the farce, visual and verbal? 12. The point of the play - for Britain in the 60s? For Industrialisation of Britain? The threat of the future of the loss of individuality and the dominance of the corporations?
