A WINDOW TO THE SKY (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN)
US, 1975, 102 minutes, Colour.
Marilyn Hassett, Beau Bridges, Belinda J. Montgomery, Nan Martin, William Bryant.
Directed by Larry Peerce.
One would have to be a stone not to be touched in some way by this true story of Jill Kinmont, potential Olympic champion, paralysed teacher. The treatment is full of sentiment, aimed at the sympathetic feelings of a wide audience, bordering on the cliche of theme and style, but invigorated by Marilyn Hassett's attractiveness in the central role and the boyish charm of Beau Bridges as the eccentric hero. The film is very American, patriotic and wearing its heart on its sleeve, humane with some sharp social comment about discrimination against paraplegics and underprivileged Indian children. It has attracted large audiences seeking straight-forward entertainment.
1. The title indicating the themes of the film? The final song? What kind of audience was the film primarily made for? How was this evident?
2. How important was the memory structure of the film? Its dramatic impact? Our knowledge of Jill's inability the poignancy of the memories? How did this involve the audience in feeling with the heroine?
3. Comment on the use of colour, music, piano music, the snow of the mountains, the emphasis on close-ups, tears etc.? How sentimental was the film? Did it blend sentiment with strength?
4. Did it make a difference in audience impact to know that this was a true story? What picture of America in the 50s and 60s? The American way of life, its effects on people? The emphasis on sport and achievement success, injury and its relationship to success or failure? How much American sentiment was there in the film? How does American sentiment appeal to overseas audiences? The presentation of sport, success, love and sorrow?
5. How attractive a character was Jill? Seeing her first with her injuries; the autobiographical quality of her commentary; the nature of her memories? Jill as a girl at school and skiing? Her enjoyment of sport skiing as a way of life.. her growing success? Jill pictured with her friends? Her relationship with A.J.? Her admiration for Dick Buick and her love for him? Jill as an idealist.. working towards success. her love for work?
6. What was the impact of the accident? The nature of accidents and the fact that they are irreversible? The effect of the accident on Jill? When did she face the truth? The support of her parents? The doctor and his trying to tell her the truth? Dave's visit and the emotions? Jill's regret about her past, her wanting to walk,, her gradual facing of the truth? The importance of so much visualising of the hospital and the physiotherapy?
7. What was the impact of the return of Dick? The preparation for this by seeing him earlier in the film as eccentric and as humorous? The humour of their conversation when he got her out of the hospital.. the lyrical happiness of their time together?
8. How important was the character of A.J.? A.J.’s polio as preparation for the audience for Jill's injury? The irony of their conversation about luck?
9. Was it wise for Jill to go to the rehabilitation centre? The irony and the cynicism of the patients? How important was this for audience sympathy for her? Audience response to the plight of paraplegics?
10. The importance of teaching. of Dick's taking her to the Indian reservation. of her goal in life. success with children, the humour of her going to classes with the others?
11. What kind of success did Jill achieve? The confrontation with the head of the college? Her help from the Indians? The picture of her teaching the Indian children and her communication with them?
12. The impact of her happiness in marrying Dick? The impact of the film with Dick's death? How well was it handled? Why was it moving? The effect on Jill?
13. How humane and true a portrait of human beings was this? Ordinary life, ambition, success. failure.. sorrow? The importance of courage? Why are ordinary films like this so valuable for people to see in terms of the human spirit?
