THE FOURTH WISH
Australia, 1976, 107 minutes, Colour.
John Meillon, Robert Bettles, Robyn Nevin.
Directed by Don Chaffey.
The Fourth Wish was produced by the South Australian Film Corporation, the organisation responsible for Sunday Too Far Away and Picnic at Hanging Rock. This present film is not in the same class as the other two film. However, it is easy entertainment, touching on some themes in Australian society and on the theme of death.
Originally, the material of the film was a four-part television series on the ABC, written by English actor Michael Craig (who appears as the specialist in the film) and starring John Meillon. The popularity of the series led to the preparation of the screenplay for the feature film. John Meillon again stars and gives a very effective performance. Indeed, he gives the film most of its strength.
Robert Bettles acts the part of the dying boy, Sean. Bettles starred with Meillon in the Disney films Ride a Wild Pony and Born to Run, directed by Don Chaffey, who also directed this film.
The setting is Adelaide and the city photographs very agreeably. It is good to see a feature film that takes the people and themes of the city, instead of the prevalent setting of the bush. Caddie was another film which took the city as its setting. This should be important for Australians with the vast majority of us living in the cities and inheriting a tradition that is very much city-based.
The theme of death is central to the film. Sentimentality is avoided, especially in the characters of the boy who is rather ordinary and, indeed, very demanding of his father. However, the film is strong on sentiment, tears, pet dogs etc. It should appeal to family audiences and be useful for discussion for younger audiences.
1. For whom was the film made? For families? For a television audience? For parents, children? Why?
2. Why is it important for Australians to have films about people who live in the cities and not in the country? (Has there been too much of an emphasis in our films on the country and its heritage?) Did the film capture the atmosphere of Adelaide, its way of life: factories, schools, houses, offices, hospital etc? How did the environment influence the characters?
3. How good a man was Casey? How strong? What were his main strengths and weaknesses? The reason for his wife leaving him? The way he brought up his son? How was this character revealed when he sought out his wife and persuaded her to come to visit their son?
4. How typical a boy was Sean? His outlook on life, the ordinary details of his life? The effect of the illness on him? When did he realise he was going to die? The importance of the fulfilment of the wishes? The impact of his final farewell to his father?
5. How enjoyable was Casey's trying to fulfil his son's wishes? How reasonable were they? Do such wishes have to be reasonable? Would Casey have lost his son's love if he had not fulfilled the wishes, especially the visit of the Queen? Was Sean demanding on his father for the fulfilment of the wishes? The effect on him of the dog? The visit of his mother?
6. How well did the film communicate the sadness and reality of death? Why did Casey find it so hard to accept? How helpful were the doctors? Did Sean find it easy to accept his death? What understanding of death did you gain from the film?
