THE 14

UK, 1972, 105 minutes, Colour.
Alun Armstrong, June Brown, Keith Buckley, Matthew Guinness, Jack Wild.
Directed by David Hemmings.

The 14 is based on a true story of a London family, a sick and dying mother with 14 youngsters under 18.

The film is directed by actor David Hemmings. He re-creates the atmosphere of the suburbs of London, the difficulties of managing such a large family - the wildness of the children, yet their strong bonds amongst themselves.

The film also shows the difficulties for welfare agencies in trying to care for the family, with the inevitable moves to move them apart. There are some disastrous scenes with a woman who comes to cook for them and their reaction against her, being transferred to an orphanage and their wreaking havoc for the nuns.

Jack Wild (the Artful Dodger in Oliver) is very good as the young, responsible Reggie. The rest of the children are played quite persuasively and June Brown is excellent as the mother.

The film goes on for some time, repeating scenes of family interactions with which we have become familiar and there are some sentimental touches. However, The 14 brings to mind the strong difficulties for people in poverty in such large families in cities.

1.The impact of the film? True story? Glimpse of family, difficulties, love and bonds?

2.The London settings, the suburbs, the house? The contrast with the institutions, the farm? Musical score, songs?

3.The title and the focus on the number of children, their interactions, relationship with their mother?

4.The establishing of the situation: the focus on the mother, a good woman, trying to support all her children, her attitude towards each of them, the meal, knowing them by name? The young man in the house - and his not taking responsibility? The mother and her weariness, illness, the collapse, hospital, the impact of the visit of the children, the news of her death? Funeral?

5.The situation for the children - trying to survive, Reggie in charge? Sylvia? Work at home, the shopping, going to school or not? The house itself and its being condemned? The initial scenes of managing?

6.The inspections by the welfare agencies, discussions with Reggie and Sylvia? Observation of the situations, the children and the cars? Raucous behaviour? The scenes with the welfare people, their discussions, concern about the children? The woman who came to cook, taking over, the mother's room - discipline, the meal, the children revolting against her?

7.The transfer to the institution, the resistance, their finally going? The nuns trying to handle the situation? The priest? The raucous behaviour in the dormitory, showers, meals? Their wanting to be together? The outing, their running away at Christmas time?

8.Reggie and his girlfriend, his age, experience, getting a job? Looking after the others? With the girlfriend and the children in the house? Discussions with the welfare officer about the situation?

9.The children, hiding at home, out on the street, stealing from the supermarket, surviving? The importance of reuniting at Christmas, the sentiment, the candles, the food, the gifts?

10.The children on the run, surviving, the police chasing them and recognising them?

11.The proposition of their going to the farm, the possibility of being together, the vote, their going to the farm - their future?

12.The film seen from the perspective of the children, their experience and lack of experience, emotions? Their perception of the adults, their mother, the young man in the house, the relief cook, the welfare people, the priest and the nuns, the farmer?

13.A film of its period? Portrait of family relationships and bonds? Social problems?