TRUE BLUE
UK, 1996, 110 minutes, Colour.
Johan Leyson, Dominic West, Dylan Baker, Josh Lucas.
Directed by Ferdinand Fairfax.
True Blue is a film about an Oxford scandal, the mutiny of the Oxford boatrace teams in 1987. It was based on a book written by one of the chief protagonists, the coach, Daniel Topolsky (played by Johan Leysen).
The film focuses on the personalities of the British and the Americans (especially played by Dominic West and Josh Lucas). The film shows a number of meetings where boatmen clash, where the coach is ousted and reinstated, where there is discussion about the spirit of Oxford rowing, the importation of Americans.
The film has a lot of scenes of rowing, training. Many thought it was the successor to Chariots of Fire but the film does not have the lyricism and the idealism of that film.
However, it is a very British look at a very British situation, with the perspective of the difference between Britain and the United States. The film was directed by Ferdinand Fairfax, who has had a mixed career as a film director both in Britain and in New Zealand.
1.A film about a sport, a club and an organisation, human nature and conflict? The will to win?
2.Panavision photography, the Oxford locations, the river? The interiors of the college? Pubs? The change of seasons? The musical score?
3.The title and the focus on Oxford and Cambridge? The boat race? The blue blood and the true blue blood?
4.The film based on a true story, the atmosphere of the '80s? The facts, the clash, the Americans and the British? The point of view of the coach and his writing the original novel? Donald McDonald? as technical adviser to the film? An Oxford interpretation?
5.The opening with Donald and the mountains, the rowing, the transition to Oxford, the 1986 race, the effort, Cambridge winning, the effect of the loss, morale, the response of the coach, the subsequent meetings, the nature of the rowing club and its authorities, members? The rumour about the sacking of the coach? The possibilities for the next year? The Americans?
6.The zeal and ambitions of the rowers, especially Donald and Ross? The discussions about being president of the club? Donald becoming president? The ethos of Oxford, the race, the room with the oars, the long tradition?
7.The decision to recruit the Americans? Ross and his tactics, going to Warren and Chambers? The other Americans? Their American style, reputation, the Olympics? Personal success? The American characters and their style?
8.Americans versus British? In the context of Oxford, arriving, the car, shouting out to the women? The college, old-fashioned, the cold, the gas meter? The discussions? Their response to Topesco? Their demands for democracy and contribution to the plans and the regimes? The subsequent politicking on their part and talk about impeaching presidents? Loud, banding together, defying Topesco? The program, the training, their condemnation of it as old-fashioned? Their meetings, strikes? The attempts at compromise? The relationship with Donald, as president, in liaison with the authorities, his taking their side, the decision to oust him after the competitive race with Ross?
9.The contrast with British traditions, the pubs, the practical jokes, study, homes, parties?
10.The portrait of training and its repercussions? The reflections on the 1986 loss? The ethos of winning? The significance of individuals compared with the team?
11.The character of Don, diplomatic or not? His relationship with his wife and child? The friendship with Michael the Jesuit? The birthday party? His taking a stand against Topesco, yet supporting him, their conversations? The pressure by the Americans, the strike, his taking sides? Their ousting him after the competitiveness with Ross? His attitude towards the second crew, the decision to use them? Their complaints against him but their decision to follow? The interactions with Dan and the final decisions to use the second crew?
12.Ross, American, individualist, a proud man, competitive, doing his best under pressure, his casual approach to timetable, finally on the line, comparison with Donald, trying to persuade him to compromise? His being ousted, supporting the team on the bridge at the end?
13.The Americans, their manner, interactions, ganging together, talk of democracy, against the regime, the training, at their own time? Their finally being outmanoeuvred and their resentment? Leaving? Individuals rather than team members?
14.The presentation of the British types, as students, friends, their reactions to the Americans, the training, the reaction to Donald, their final support, working together as a team?
15.The rowing club officials, their fickle attitude towards the Americans, wanting to win?
16.Dan Topesco, his character, presented as indecisive? Lacking diplomatic tact? The importance of the team, faced with the strike, the compromises, wanting to resign? The American's support at the dance, yet turning against him? The spirit of Oxford, his own career, the final team, the training, getting them to support each other, the final race and triumph?
17.Michael the Jesuit, friendship with Donald, the meeting and his rhetorical and emotional speech and its carrying the day? The vote?
18.The final sequences of training, the actual race, the manoeuvres, using the weather, the triumph of the win?
19.A very masculine film, competitiveness and winning? The importance of competitive issues in sport, associations, organisations? The ethos of winning is all?
