WINTER PEOPLE
US, 1989, 105 minutes, Colour.
Kurt Russell, Kelly Mc Gillis, Lloyd Bridges, Mitchell Ryan.
Directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Winter People is the story of the Depression, set in the snow-clad mountains of North Carolina in 1934. The screenplay is an adaptation of a novel by adapted by Carol Sobieski (writer of such diverse films as Annie, The Women's Room). it was directed by Ted Kotcheff,-who made impact with a range of films over three decades, including Wake In Fright in Australia as well as First Blood.
Kurt Russell is good as the clock-maker who is taken in by the mountain people. Kelly Mc Gillis, in a role reminiscent of Witness, is the unmarried mother. Lloyd Bridges is her father. There is a good supporting cast portraying the Wrights and the Campbells, families feuding in these mountains.
The film moves at a leisurely pace, portrays the life of this isolated community, the codes of honour and justice. The outsider breaks into these codes, even though he is welcomed. (There is a strong physicality about the film with its cold mountains, icy water, bear hunts - which may be interesting comparisons with the dust and the kangaroo hunt of Wake in Fright.)
The film is a symbolic fable, a study of human nature - with an upbeat, possibly sentimental, ending.
1. The impact of the film, about a community, people? The work of Ted Kotcheff and his style?
2. North Carolina, the mountains and the river, the town, isolation? The atmosphere of the wintry season? Atmospheric score?
3. The physical impact of the film: the weather, the cold, the bear hunt, the fights, the freezing water?
4. Wayland and Paula: introduction, packing and leaving, the argument about the pig, the visit to the mother's grave and the words there, the hopes, the car stalling in the river, walking in hope through the mountains?
5. Collie and her suspicions, letting the couple in, her own baby, the meal, the warmth, letting them stay, her beginning to talk and tell her story?
6. The Wrights and the Campbells, the age-old feud, the land, the divisions, the tradition? Deaths? The Campbells on horseback robbing Wayland's car? The Wrights and their friendliness, assessing Wayland, the discussion about the clock, taking him In? Their consideration of him as a man, his needing to be blooded by the hunt, belonging?
7. Kurt Russell as Wayland, his gentleness, clock-maker? His short experience as husband, the death of his wife and her walking into the sea because of her pain? Her wanting to be called other names so that the pain would go away? As a father to Paula, her vigorous attitudes? His not attacking the Campbells when Collie was whipped? Paula and her angry reaction? His explanation that he had to be there for her? The discussions with the Wrights, being accepted? The decision to go on the bear hunt, the macho attitudes in preparation, on the way, his reading a book and Young scaring him, the bear, Young not having a weapon, Wayland jumping on the bear's back, shooting him, the dispute with Gudger about the trophy? Getting the skin, coming home and accepted?
8. Wayland and his making the clock for Collie, the gift,(and Cole shooting it)? His offer of building the clock on the tower, the family accepting him? The father and his support? The collage of his work?
9. Collie and her situation, a member of the Wright family, her brothers, the secrecy of the father of her baby? Calling him Jonathan? Her father's care, the brothers looking after her, the food, etc? The mother's disdain? Cole coming and Paula seeing him? The clash with the Campbells? Her falling in love with Wayland, her response to Paula, concern about the bear hunt, the gift of the clock? Cole coming and his being drunk, Wayland coming in, the talk, the physical fight, Wayland with Cole in the river, freezing, sending him off? Their worry about his going to his death? The irony of Gudger prowling in the night (as earlier seeing Wayland) and not responding to Cole, letting him die?
10. Wright and the tradition, the mother worried, the sketch of the sons, Gudger and the shop, Young and his exuberance, his father calling him silly, his friendship with Cole?
11. The Campbells and their reaction to the killing, the Wrights meeting, the pros and cons of who was to be exiled, the father working out what had happened? Realising Gudger's responsibility?
12. Collie and her decision, going to the Campbells, the glimpse of the clan and the way of life, Campbell and his hostility? Her giving the baby, her doing the deal? Her coming back to the Wrights, grief and screaming?
13. The build-up to the wedding, Wayland's decision to visit the Campbells, Margaret helping him, his explanation to Campbell and blaming Cole for the divisions? The accidental shooting? The ceremony, the opening of the clock? The joy of the town? Campbell coming with the baby and offering it? The happy ending?
14. The ending of the feud, peace, sacrifice?
