WILSON

US, 1944, 154 minutes, Colour.
Alexander Knox, Charles Coburn. Geraldine Fitzgerald, Thomas Mitchell, Ruth Nelson, Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price.
Directed by Henry King.

Wilson was a big-budget project of Darryl F. Zanuck in 1943-44. It was not only a presentation of a President's life and career but also a propaganda piece for World War Two. Alexander Knox, generally a character actor in supporting roles, has an excellent opportunity for his impersonation of Wilson and relies on characterisation rather than mannerisms to illustrate this President. He was nominated for an Oscar. Many 20th Century Fox character actors fill out the supporting roles - including Charles Coburn, Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Geraldine Fitzgerald has the attractive role of Edith, Wilson's second wife.

The film has an interesting score by Alfred Newman and it incorporates many patriotic American songs and their themes as well as popular pieces like 'On Moonlight Bay' and 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon'. The sets are elaborate and there are re-creations of the White House and its interiors as well as the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The colour photography is impressive. All in all, Wilson shows the effect of its large budget for an intelligent political American film aimed at a popular audience.

Many of Wilson's speeches, of course, while bearing relationship to World War One, are particularly relevant to the American- German antagonism of the mid-'40s. The film opens with Wilson at Princeton and moves swiftly into his years as Governor of New Jersey and then to his eight years as President. He is shown as a social reformer and a serious idealist. This is particularly the case in the war years and his hesitation to commit America to war. However, when he does, he does so reluctantly and with an eye on peace. His moment of glory was the Versailles conference and the establishment of the League of Nations and the film presents his failure to persuade the Americans of the value of the League. Wilson then is presented as an important president but also as failing in succeeding with the ideal goals he set himself. Other films about presidents include The Wind and the Lion with Brian Keith as Teddy Roosevelt, Give 'em Hell Harry with James Whitmore as Truman. There are telemovies of Roosevelt and the Kennedys.

1 . The impact of the film, its reputation, a major film of the '40s? Reflecting American styles and interest of the time? Its place within the war effort? Its contribution to morale in the mid-'40s? Its impact as a film now?

2. Alexander Knox leading a veteran cast? Their contribution to political and social roles? The budget of the film,, its length, the contribution of the score and the medley of American songs both serious and popular?

3. Audience knowledge of Wilson? Attitudes towards the American presidency? Its status and reputation early 20th. century, in the '40s? In the '70s and later? Attitudes towards the world wars, peace? Knowledge of 20th. century politics, social reform? Wilson as politician, man of principle, idealist? A man for admiration, tribute? The film reflecting a period of the United States and of American attitudes in the world? The importance of Wilson's contribution to world peace but his failure to persuade America about the League of Nations?

4. The structure of the film: the introduction to Wilson at Princeton, his work reputation, family? The invitation to be Governor, his career as Governor? The campaign for presidency? His work, the re-election and the war issues, America's participation in the war, peace and the League of Nations? The background of Wilson's family life - his wife and daughters, his wife's death, the marriage to Edith?

5. The film's presentation of Wilson's personality: academic, dry, prim pet enjoying football and musical comedy, his devotion to his family - the family gatherings and the singing? His personal integrity, his reputation, his interest in reform, equal opportunity? Big Ed and his proposal for governorship, the rally and Wilson speaking out against the bosses, the clash with Tomelty and his becoming his secretary? A good choice for President?

6. The portrait of his wife and daughters - their participation in his decisions, the personal touches in his family life? Their arrival at the White House? His wife's support, her illness, her final bequest to her daughters and her urging them to have Wilson marry again?

7. The picture of campaigns and ballyhoo, the presidential nominations and the long meeting, the deadlock, the various manoeuvres, telephone calls, Wilson's listening to advice, his election?

8. The integrity of his work as Governor, the social reform in his early work as President?

9. His facing of the war situation, the sinking of the Lusitania? Lodge and the pressures to go to war? His reasons for waiting and not committing America? The campaign against him before the 1916 election? His finally winning? The irony of his committing America to war, his strong talk to the German Ambassador? The various speeches in the screenplay to explain his attitudes, his participation in the war? His awareness of the number of deaths in the war?

10. How well did the film use the device of speeches to communicate Wilson's attitudes, policies?

11. His focus on the peace plan, his decision to go to Versailles, his participation in the discussions, the setting up of the League, the clashes with Clemenceau? The opposition to the League in the United States. Senator Lodge and his campaign? The clashes on Wilson's return and his standing by his principles?

12. His decision to tour the country explaining the League. the successful tour, his illness and collapse?

13. Was it inevitable that he would be defeated on the League? His vision of it, the Republican opposition? The Republicans gaining power and the repudiation of the League? His final months in office, Edith and her work, the sequence of his leaving the White House and farewelling friends and enemies?

14. The portrait of Edith - her presence in Washington, a second chance for Wilson, his enjoyment of her company, the outings, the proposal and her hesitation, the gossip, his decision to marry? Her support, her presence in the White House, her making the decisions when he was ill?

15. How great a man was Wilson - as an academic, politician, President? As an American, as a world figure? A man of his times to be judged within the context of his times?

16. His contribution to America, America's image in the 20th. century world e.g. the sequence at the railway station with the boys going to war? His heritage for the United States? The Americans subsequently looking to him for example?