I HEARD THE OWL CALL MY NAME

US, 1973, 90 minutes, Colour.
Tom Courtenay, Dean Jagger.
Directed by Daryl Duke.

I Heard The Owl Call My Name is based on the popular novel by Margaret Craven. This is a Canadian telemovie, directed sensitively by Daryl Duke, who made such films as Payday, Griffin and Phoenix, The Silent Partner. Tom Courtney, a popular British stage and screen star of the '60s in such films as The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and Billy Liar, has the torment and innocent goodwill of Mark Bryan, the Anglican priest hero who goes to live in an Indian village during the last year of his life. He discovers himself, something of the meaning of life, his vocation and service to people.

Dean Jagger plays the Bishop, the previous chaplain in the village, who knows that this will be an important position for Mark before he dies. The film was made in British Columbia in beautiful locations. It adds to the atmosphere of the film and presents the Canadian Indians and the impact of Christianity on them. The film echoes so many films about clergy but has a directness and sincerity which appeals.

1. The success of the film as drama, a study of a person, human nature? A religious film? The specific religious qualities?

2. The impact of the film for home viewing, identification with the hero, emotional response? The contribution of the British Columbia locations, the beauty of nature, the atmosphere of the Indian village? The musical score and the continued use of 'Amazing Grace'?

3. The conventions of the religious film: the priest and the crisis in his life, the bishop, the mission, alienation from the people, mistakes, growing friendship through crises, religious experience? The fresh angle on the conventions? The portrait of a priest? His learning from experience in ministry? The significance of his death?

4. The screenplay and its use of Christmas celebrations as a framework? The intervention of the bishop, the journey for Mark, a new life, sorrow, mistakes, learning? The importance of the experience of the white man learning from the Indian? The forest, the village, the lakes and mountains, the many sequences of birds? The significance of the title and the symbol of death?

5. Tom Courtney's performance as Mark? His appearance, his ministry in the city and the initial Christmas celebration, the Anglican tradition, the relationship with the bishop and the bishop's care for him, presuppositions by the audience about priests and ministry? His going on the new mission, the encounter with Jim and the discussion about his name, the journey by boat along the Canadian coast? The village as the bishop's bequest, to him? The information given, his arrival and expecting people to meet him, the experience of the death of the child and the reaction of the mother? The funeral and its impact on him? His initial sermon and his attitude towards the Indian children going to the white world, the building of the boat? The various experiences by which he learnt? Old George and his criticisms? The girl in the village and her love for Gordon? Jim and his presence? The changing of the seasons, Mark's change of attitude? His becoming part of the place, his empathy for the Indians? The contrast with the school teacher Spencer and his cynical attitudes? Spencer and Mark and the children playing ball? The later celebration and Spencer's comments on sacraments? The device of writing letters to the bishop as a means of the audience understanding Mark's interior experience, his health? The bishop's arrival and telling the truth? His remaining to celebrate Christmas? The invitation of the Indians for him to remain and die in their village? His bequest to Jim and the girl on her return? The final Christmas celebration? His death in the boat? His achievement, the impact of his life? The grave and the Indians?

6. A study of priesthood - religion, dedication, prayer, advice, care, concern, celibacy, administration of the sacraments, ritual, theology, pastoral work? Life and death?

7. The character of the bishop - his role, his experience in the village, his concern about Mark, his decision to send him to the village, his visit and telling him the truth? His love for Mark?

8. The portrait of the Indian people - in an old and dying town, the traditions, the fishing? Jimmy embodying this? The girl and her love for Gordon, going to the city, the baby, Jimmy's care for her? Deaths, the children, sharing needs?

9. How satisfying a drama of a man's life and its meaning?