HOMBRE

US, 1966, 111 minutes, Colour.
Paul Newman, Fredric March, Diane Cilento, Richard Boone, Cameron Mitchell, Martin Balsam.
Directed by Martin Ritt.

Hombre is one of Martin Ritt's fine social dramas - A Man is Ten Feet Tall, Paris Blues, Hud, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, The Brotherhood, tight dramas which portray the protagonists within a strongly established social context.

Hombre is a fine western, reminiscent of the journey in Stagecoach, with plenty of action and excitement. However, it is far more, in its exploration of the character of John Russell, a white man brought up amongst the Apache. An aloof, uninvolved man, he is gradually drawn into the western situation and finally learns something of self-sacrifice from the tough hotel keeper, played by Diane Cilento. He finally dies for people he despises. Paul Newman gives another good performance and the supporting cast are very good. This is a very worthwhile film in terms of enjoyment and in terms of human values.

1. What significance did the title give the film as it opened? How did the close-up of Paul Newman and his eyes enhance this?

2. Has this just a western or did it have more purpose?

3. What kind of man was John Russell? How important for the plot was it that he had been brought up by the Apache? What effect had this on him?

4. What kind of woman was Jessie? What were your first impressions of her relationship to Frank Braden, running of the hotel? Was John Russell too harsh in turning her out?

5. What was the significance in most of the film being a long and dangerous journey? Is it too far-fetched to see the journey and coachful of passengers (good and bad) as a microcosm of the world?

6. What were your reactions to Cicero Grimes? How strong was Jessie towards him? ffhy did Russell choose to remain aloof, disinterested and uninvolved?

7. What were your reactions to Mr. and Mrs. Favour? His mouthing of statements about the Indians, her arrogance? Did you suspect them of being the robbers?

8. Were you sorry to find that Frank was in league with Cicero Grimes?

9. How did Russell gradually become involved with protecting the passengers? How ironic was it that Indian techniques protected whites? Did they have any option other than depending on Russell?

10. What was the significance of Mrs Favour going off with Grimes?

11. How low did Dr Favour reveal himself to be? Had they the right to turn him away without water? Why did they take him back into the mining hut?

12. What impact did the siege have? Did they have a chance?

13. How ironic was the tying up of Mrs Favour and of her suffering? Did she deserve it? Why didn't Dr Favour help her?

14. Why did Russell remain aloof? Why did Jessie change his views? Could he understand her being prepared to risk her life for an unworthy human being?

15. Why was he prepared to risk his life?

16. What were the consequences of Russell's attempt to save her?

17. In so far as John Russell learned self-sacrificing love from Jessie, how was he a Christ-figure in giving his life?

18. What were the basic messages of the film? Was it a valuable film? Why?