WORLD GONE WILD
US, 1988, 90 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Dern, Adam Ant, Michael Pare, Catherine Mary Stewart.
Directed by Lee H. Katzin.
World Gone Wild is an odd futuristic adventure, obviously modelled on the Mad Max films, especially details of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Bruce Dern is an eccentric-type leader, Katherine Mary Stuart is an attractive teacher, Michael Pare is the suave leader on whom charismatic hopes are put, Adam Ant is the odd villain, Derek Abernathy. The film is set in the middle of the 21st. century, there is a drought and people in need of water, there is a small community with water, they are menaced by a madman who leads white-clothed young men in almost religious ritual style - but who, of course, are brainwashed into massacres. There is also the portrait of an ugly brawling city of the future. There are confrontations and action ? and the whole thing is resolved with falling rain. Direction is by Lee H. Katzin, veteran of many action films and telemovies.
1. Futuristic adventure? parable?
2. Towns of the future, the landscapes, the ugly city? Musical score?
3. The title and the focus of themes? Pessimism about the future?
4. The initial massacre, the seemingly innocent white-clad boys and their murders? The people massacred? The emergence of Ethan as leader?
5. Ethan as leader, magic powers, his going to find George, the trek to the city, Angie's disgust? The return, the followers and their martial skills? In the town, organisation, the arrival of Derek Abernathy and his men? The final confrontation? The rain?
6. Angie and her teaching, the massacre, going to the city with Ethan, her disgust, the encounter with George, her surprise, his return, falling in love with him, the violence of the confrontation?
7. George as leader, brought up by Ethan, his life in the city and the echoes of military competitions and shooting like the Thunderdome? His return, doubts about helping, it being forced upon him, confrontations, mellowing? Romance, final heroism?
8. The various leaders and those coming from the violent and murderous competition? Their skills, their return? Contribution to the town? The final battles, death and survival?
9. Derek Abernathy and his English style, his suave manner, the initial massacre, his followers? His charismatic leadership and religious revival style? Kidnapping the boys? Their wanting the water, fighting the groups? The murders? Violence, the murder entertainment, final confrontations?
