THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT
US, 1968, 90 minutes, Colour.
Cliff Robertson, Dina Merrill, Luther Adler, Wilfrid Hyde- Whyte, Lilia Skala.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.
The Sunshine Patriot is a feature movie made for T.V. and certainly one of the better ones. It is a spy story which raises many questions, but especially in regard to mistaken identity and freedom and the suffering that endures. For these reasons it is worth catching. Cliff Robertson plays two roles and plays them well giving credibility to a contrived situation. Luther Adler as the chief of the secret police (and an expectant grandfather) is excellent.
1. Was this an interesting espionage film? Why?
2. How did the London sequences and the discussions there set a tone to the film? How impersonal and callous were the British controllers? Could they afford any real feelings? Was the inclusion of Ross's fiancee. her planning marriage and a home after his last mission, effective or sentimental?
3. There is some discussion about 'realism', 'worry towers', 'the nitty gritty'. Is the world of espionage real? Realistic?
4. What kind of man was Ross? Were you shocked when he killed the Professor? Why?
5. How smart was Ross in changing places with Selby? Was this plausibly done? How? or was this too far-fetched? How did Ross handle the uncertainties of the situation?(Cliff Robertson looked and spoke differently in his two roles. How effective was this technique of his playing both parts?).
6. What impression did the European intelligence people make? How did they compare with the British? Who were more ruthless? What was the point of all the talk about Hyneck's grandchild? How did this humanise them? How did Benedict contrast with Hyneck? The lady doctor?
7. How thorough were the Europeans? How cruel? How gullible? Did they have the right to torture Selby? Did they do their best to identify him?
8. What were your feelings about the torture and suffering of Selby? Were you sympathetic with Ross and his mission? Did you hope he would succeed? Did he have the right to let Selby suffer? Did he have any feelings for Selby?
9. Why did Francie go along with Ross's plans? Should she?
10. Why did Hyneck eventually believe Selby? (How callous were the British in delaying his identification? Did they have the right?).
11. Was it inevitable that Ross be killed?
12. Was the secret material worth the lives and suffering of those involved? -secrets that would be written up in scientific journals, material that subordinates did not know was contained in it or where it was?
13. What was the final comment and judgement on espionage?
