DON'T CRY, IT'S ONLY THUNDER

US, 1982, 108 minutes, Colour.
Dennis Christopher, Susan Saint James, Kisa Lu, James Whitmore, Robert Englund.
Directed by Peter Werner.

Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder is a Vietnam story, but focuses more on orphans rather than combat. Dennis Christopher is a young assistant in the medical corps who gets involved with nuns and orphans. Susan Saint James is a doctor who also gets involved. There are the familiar crises, deaths, effects of the battle as well as the effects on the Americans of their involvement in Vietnam.

The film was shot in the Philippines (by Australian photographer Don McAlpine). The musical score is by Maurice Jarre. A routine, but enjoyable film with sentiment.

1. The impact of the Vietnam stories? The humane aspects of the war?

2. Authentic atmosphere, Philippine locations, the city, the orphanage? Action sequences? The musical score?

3. The title, war, storms, the orphans and their fear?

4. The Vietnam war, American tours of duty, combat, battles, the wounds, death? Supplies, doctors, administrators?

5. Brian and his arrival, young, inexperienced? His work, friends, the bet about Katherine? His meeting the orphans and the effect on him, of Anh and her not being able to speak? The nuns? Finding a place, the setting up of the orphanage, the continued number of children? the hard work, after hours? Katherine and her involvement? The emotional demands? Scrounging supplies? The wounded and his work with the dead?
The morgue? The bombs? Anh and wanting to take her to the U.S? Her accidental death, Brian's grief? The funeral? The strong words from the nun about life in Vietnam, the work, emotions? The emotional response to Katherine? The boss and his support? The return, watching the photos? His future?

6. Katherine, her work, her training, dedication? Encounter with Brian, clash and friendship, the work, her wanting to give up, the extraordinary demands? Continuing, the farewell to Brian? Her future?

7. The orphans, the consequences of war, babies, the battles, the need for food and shelter? Emotional response? Anh and her not speaking, her death? The young boy and his talking to Brian?

R. The nuns and their work, emotions, dedication?

9. Officers, anger, arrangements, the morgue, combat?

10. The experience of war for Brian? Emotional demands? Growing up?