PAPER TIGER

UK, 1974, 99 Minutes, Colour.
David Niven, Toshiro Mifune, Hardy Kruger, Ando, Ivan Desny, Irene Tsu.
Directed by Ken Annakin.

Cinema has had a long tradition of warm, popular, slightly sentimental entertainment aimed at the whole family, often with a popular older star plus a child, some adventure locations plus a catchy tune. Box office success for "Paper Tiger" confirms that it is this kind of film. David Niven repeats his "Separate Tables" kind of role, which actually tests his heroics in the jungles of Malaysia. Boy, Ando, dimples into the camera fetchingly and the Ray Conniff singers hum in the background. There is plenty of plot, colourful scenery, touches of comedy and the invitation to tears. It is undemandingly enjoyable while it is on the screen.

1. How enjoyable a film? The entertainment ingredients for wide popular consumption?

2. The adventure style and content of the film, the family appeal with the presentation of a family? The appeal of the young boy? Sentiment, comedy, adventures? Musical background, especially the theme of the song, "My Little Friend"?

3. The contribution of the Malaysian locations, the atmosphere of Malaysia, city, the countryside? The atmosphere of peace, revolution? The contemporary atmosphere with revolution?

4. The screenplay and the audience's entering the country with Walter Bradbury? Experiencing the country and the events with him, sharing his failure, success? The atmosphere of the initial flight, the tourists? David Niven and his personal style? His contribution to the portrayal of Walter Bradbury?

5. How important was the character of Bradbury? His past, his being alone? His fantasies, stories? How much did he believe his own stories? His arrival, comments to the American tourists (the satire on American tourists?), the trip into the city and the immediate danger? Serious as well as humorous comment on Bradbury's outlook? His job, taking it under false pretences? The confidence of his presentation of himself for his work? Acceptance by the ambassador, by Koichi? His enjoyment of his work, his lessons? The importance of his dreams and his stories for Koichi, the visualising and the satire, also on war films for example the escape story, battles? Making a hero of himself? The contrast of his heroism in the army, stiff upper lip British commander, daredevil for escape? The reality with his age, pretence, walking stick? The bonds that grew between the two? The possibility of success?

6. How important was Bradbury's sense of failure? His talking about himself, compensating? Facing of the challenge with Koichi? The challenge of the kidnap and survival?

7. How sympathetic a character was the Japanese Ambassador? His personal style, the atmosphere of Japan, dignity? His bond with his son? The family sequences? The ambassador's friendliness with Bradbury?

8. The melodramatics at the party, the personalities present, political atmosphere, newspapers? The melodrama of the assassination attempt? The irony of Bradbury's behaviour and his false reputation? Looking at all this through Koichi,s eyes?

9. The pleasantness of the outing, the tour of the museum? The humorous satire in the presentation of the museum custodian, his story? His attitude towards the poor tip? His daughter? The humour of his attack with the gun on the terrorists? The contrast of the comedy with the kidnap? The stalking of Bradbury and Koichi, the preparations for the kidnap? The melodrama, the karate? Kung fu atmosphere of the East? The deaths and the taking of Bradbury as well? The quick pacing, audience interest and excitement, sympathy for the kidnap of a child, awareness of the political implications?

1O.How attractive a boy was Koichi? His style, charm, the way that he was photographed for audience sympathy? His English, bonds with Bradbury, learning, victim of the kidnap?

11.The experience of the capture and Koichi's shrewdness in working out where they were? The emergence of Bradbury's cowardice? Their being imprisoned, Koichi's hopes in Bradbury, the memory of his stories, disillusionment with him? The importance of the plans? The long sequence of Bradbury's looking at himself in the mirror and the moment of truth? The humour and melodrama of their escape? The car and its out of control rush down the hill? Desperate, humorous?

12. How interesting was the portrait of the terrorists, their personalities, the contact of the woman in high places? The issues? The contrast with the political officials?

13. Muller and his interviews, his suspicions of Bradbury, research, support of the ambassador, contribution to the search?

14. The sentiment in the father and his plight and his hopes for his son? Communications from the terrorists? Koichi communicating with his father?

15. The atmosphere of Asian politics? The dangers, the issues motives of the terrorists, political prisoners?

16. The film spent much time on the climax, the car,, the going through the mountains and the demands on Bradbury. the shooting? The final heroism and rescue?

17. A happy ending with Bradbury facing the truth? How genial a family story? How coy? A fable for heroes and success and failure?