THE WILD ONE
US, 1953, 79 minutes, Black and White.
Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy, Robert Keith, Lee Marvin, Jay C. Flippen.
Directed by Laslo Benedek.
The Wild One was one of the most striking films of 1954. It had an enormous influence in cinema for some time to come. Directed by Laslo Benedek, who had made Death of a Salesman with Fredrick March but who was not to have a very striking career, the film showed something of the anger in American youth as early as the early 50s. Marlon Brando, a great success on the stage in A Streetcar Names Desire and he repeated this role effectively on the screen, had made such films as The Men, Viva Zapata, Julius Caesar. At this time he made On The Waterfront for which he won his first Oscar. The second was for The Godfather in 1972. At this stage Brando's intense presence and his mumbling style were perfectly suited to the bikie folklore of the early 50s. He made a striking impression in this film. The film was considered so violent that many countries banned it for some time, including England. Lee Marvin, at a time when he was specialising in such roles e.g. The Big Heat, also appears as a bikie. The film is brief, in crisp black and white, with a striking musical score and highlights the social unrest that was latent in America and was to burst out so soon. A similar kind of film at the same time was Richard Brookes' The Blackboard Jungle.
1. This film had great impact at its time. In many countries it was refused release. Can you understand why authorities had such apprehensions about it?
2. There have been many bikie films since. How do they compare with The Wild One? Why is The Wild One superior? How can the more recent bikie films be traced back to The Wild One's influence?
3. Why did bikie films make such an impact in the second half of the twentieth century? The mystique of the bike, the machine, power and speed, isolation, yet within a group? Is there something more about the 'bikie' on his bike and his stance in the face of society? Was this merely a 'bikie' film or how much more was there in it?
4. The film as a presentation of American society in the early 50s? A society which threw up bikie gangs? A society which was afraid of them and turned violent against them? An uneasy society? What judgements on American society and its complacency and fear did the film make? Which sequences illustrated this?
5. Comment on the visual power of the film. The black and white photography, the photographing of the road, the town, the bike formations, the riding. The use of music. The short duration of the film and its impact.
6. Could the film be seen as an essay on American violence? The pros and cons of violence? Its reality, and violence begetting violence? Who was responsible for the violence in this film? Johnny's gang, the rival gang, the fearful townspeople, the hesitating sheriff? The violence of the bikies begetting the violence of the hostile and defensive townspeople? What insight into individual and social violence did the film give?
7. How well observed was the gang, the details of their exhibitionism, obstructing the town, their rowdiness and people's reactions, their fights, the clashes with the rival gang, the consequences as regards hospital etc.? How did the film observe the bikie mystique? How did the film observe the life of the town and the degeneration of the atmosphere to destruction?
8. The central character of Johnny and his importance? Marlon Brando's performance and style, his influence, clothes, bikes, speech etc.? Johnny as a smouldering leader with a loyalty? His style of talk to his gang, to the people, to Kathy? What response did he gain from Kathy, his rescuing her and taking her away? The irony of the audience knowing the truth and the people not? The impact of his being bashed? His being sent away with a warning? The significance of his leaving the statue? Was his character well explored? was he a credible character? How much did he change during the film? Johnny as a misfit in contemporary society?
9. Was the character of Kathy well explored? Or was she merely a good influence with an effect on Johnny?
10. The exploration of the other characters - Chino and his gang, their motivation, brutality? The people in the town, at the tracks, bar, the vigilante bashing? The reality of fear? The picture of the police and the hesitation of the sheriff, especially as the father of Kathy?
11. What was the final impact of the film with all its themes?
12. How valuable a film is it, how well did it explore its themes? Its impact now?
