THE PEOPLE
US, 1971, 74 minutes, Colour.
Kim Darby, Dan O' Herlihy, William Shatner, Diane Varsi.
Directed by John Korty.
The People is an interesting and entertaining science fantasy telemovie. It was directed by John Korty, director of many telemovies and features including The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, River Run, Oliver's Story, Caravan of Courage. The film was produced by Francis Ford Coppola and his father Carmine Coppola did the musical score. The film has a mid western isolated setting, a community that resembles the Amish in some ways. While they seem sinister at first, the film has a gentle tone. Kim Darby is attractive as the teacher who enters the community and helps them resolve their problems.
1. Entertaining science fiction, fantasy? A blend of fear and delight?
2. An enjoyable telemovie, telemovie style, Americana? The special effects, especially for the control and levitation? The musical score and its mood?
3. The focus of the title on the community. seemingly ominous, the reality? less than ominous and fearful? The people changed through the teacher? Their being changed and freed?
4. Melodye, her past, her boyfriend's comment, the bus ride, the isolation, the arrival at Nowhere, Karen's arriving, the truck, the isolated community, Sol and his family, the hospitality and the gifts, her being at home, the school? The children and the parents lining up formally? Their seriousness, lack of play? Her meeting Frencher? Her trying to teach, sing 'Old MacDonald's Farm', Karen's controlling the children. Melodye's anger? The encounter with Dr. Fergus? Suspicions? Discovering the truth of the story. the reality of the people? Her delight. getting the children to draw. dance, not shuffle. control. levitate. the fantasy sequence and the children conducting the musical instruments, the children freed? Frencher and his collapse, the empathetic little girl? Valency and her power? The transfer of power from the older woman? The healing of the boy? Melodye joining with the community in its concern. her being accepted, feeling an outsider? Dr. Fergus' advice? Her experience, helping and saving the people. her future?
5. Audience response to the people, as a community, religious and isolated, unusual behaviour, stilted and serious. the elders controlling the children? Aliens? Their isolation, their powers, persecution? Their gifts ? control and levitation? old lifestyle, secrecy? The children shuffling yet wanting to play? Karen and her control? Melodye discovering the truth, liberating the children. the dangers. acceptance and joy?
6. Karen and her friendship with Melodye. control of the children. helping? Frencher and his friendliness, the little girl and her suffering with Frencher? The children and their behaviour?
7. Sol and his family, their old lifestyle? The old woman? Valency and her wisdom, help and advice, receiving the powers? Helping with the operation?
8. Dr. Fergus, his place with the community. welcomed, helping them? Helping Melodye?
9. The theme of community, the building of communities? outsiders and strangers? Fear? Redemption and freedom?
