MY OLD MAN'S PLACE

US, 1971, 93 minutes, Colour.
Arthur Kennedy, Michael Moriarty, William Devane, Peter Donat, Mitchell Ryan.
Directed by Edwin Sherin.

My Old Man’s Place is a brutal film of the early 1970s, made during the Vietnam war, conscious of the effect of the war and its impact on American society.

The film has veteran actor Arthur Kennedy and up-and-coming actors Michael Moriarty, William Devane and Mitchell Ryan. Mitchell Ryan is especially frightening in his dominating character.

The original title of the film was Glory Boy. The film was made to communicate a message, an ugly world, the indictment of war, the memories of World War Two, the changes in twenty years, the relevance of the Vietnam situation. It is also very strong in its portrayal of parents, sons, family tensions.

l. What were the final implications of the title of this film? The emphasis on 'My' and the father as old man? The original title was 'Glory Boy'. Was that wore appropriate?

2. Why was this film made? Was it made to entertain? To communicate a message? Basically, what was the message of the film?

3. The film portrayed a very ugly world. Was this part of the message? Why did the director think that the world was so ugly? Why were people ugly? And their attitudes? How cynical and pessimistic was the film? Any redeeming and positive features?

4. How was the film an indictment of war? The impact of the Vietnam War on America? On the soldiers returning home? The memories of World War II and the change, Vietnam situation? How relevant would this conflict be for other countries? What condemnation of war did the film offer?

5. What insight into American society did the film give? Its heritage from World War II? Its violent atmosphere and the changes over the decades? The San Francisco as seen by returned veterans? The brutalising of the veterans themselves and their impact in society? How pessimistic was this?

6. How did the film portray human nature? In its ugliness? Could human nature be redeemed in this film? The value of persons and the horror of selfish and brutal persons? Audience response to this?

7. How did the film detail the effects of the war veterans in their return to San Francisco? The soldiers and demonstrators? The streets of San Francisco? Modern civilization at peace compared with the war country? Was this credible and just?

8. Why did Trubee relate so well to Jimmy Pilgrim? Why did they allow Flood to enter their lives? What was the relationship between the three? Was it true friendship or dependence? Inadequacy?

9. Why did each of them go to the old man's place? What did each expect and want from the place?

10. How did the film emphasise the importance of the place itself? The farm contrasting with the city, peace as against war etc.?

11. How sympathetic was the portrayal of the father? As a father, his pressurising of his son, his World War II glory attitudes, his pushing him to join the army, his response to Flood with the drill, his letting the farm go, his wanting to come alive again and improve it? Did you like the father?

12. How did the film portray the relationship of father and son and the differing attitudes? The son's rebellion against the father? Why? his insolence against his father? Was this intelligible?

13. How sympathetic a character was Jimmy Pilgrim? His story of wife and friends? His weakness? As being subjugated by Flood? The relationship with Trubee and his father?

14. The psychotic personality of Flood? Why so dominating? his corrupting influence, his humiliation of everyone, especially the father? What comment was being made on the brutalising effect of war in the character of Flood? Was he a credible character or a symbol for the film?

15. Why did he take over? Why did the people went to nurse him back to health? How did he abuse their waiting on him? His manipulation of Pilgrim? The hatred that he caused in all of them?

16. Why was Pilgrim so subservient? How humiliating was this? The role of power and its corruption?

17. How ordinary a character was Helen? How attractive? Her relationship to Jimmy? Her being raped by Flood? Whether she was loved or not by Trubee? As a symbol of beauty for her for the father?

18. How did all this experience transform Trubee? His observing of Flood, his indifference during the rape, his observing of Jimmy? What happened finally to Trubee?

19. The horror of Flood's revenge? Is this where the film was inevitably leading?

20. The significance of father and son shooting the evil Flood? The reconciliation through death? Was there any hope of redemption here?

21. How successful then was the film in communicating its message of brutality and the ugliness of the modern world?