ROLLERCOASTER

US, 1977, 118 minutes, Colour.
George Segal, Richard Widmark, Timothy Bottoms, Henry Fonda, Susan Strasberg, Harry Guardino.
Directed by James Goldstone.

Rollercoaster does not pretend to be anything more than a gripping thriller using Universal's' Sensurround' process. It succeeds quite well, showing the atmosphere of the entertainment parks, an alarmingly realistic crash and the technique of trying to trap a skilful bomber and defuse his wares. Much of the success comes from George Segal's engaging hero - easy for the audience to identify with him and be involved in solving the case. Timothy Bottoms (revealed at once as the bomber) is appropriately deadly calm and controlled. Naturally much of the footage is of rollercoaster runs, exhilarating or terrifying according to your tastes. A stern Richard Widmark is in charge. Entertaining.

1. How successful and entertaining a thriller? Plot, characters, action, suspense? 'Sensurround'? No aims at any message, yet communicating something about society, human nature?

2. The contribution of the 'Sensurround' effects for the carnival atmosphere, excitement? A gimmick, integral to the film?

3. The contribution of colour, Panavision photography: the various carnivals, scenes of Chicago? The atmosphere of the music for the carnivals as well as the menace? Contribution to atmosphere? The atmosphere of carnivals in America, the parks, the breadth of scope? The contrast with the world of offices, the F.B.I.? The contrast with ordinary homes and lives? A picture of America in the 70s?

4. The film's devices for gaining audience involvement? The initial portrayal of the young man, the audience watching him, suspenseful music, the atmosphere of explosives and sabotage? The carnival situation and the build-up of suspense and the picturing of such destruction? The transition to Pittsburg with the suggestions of destruction? The involvement with the young man and his plans, bugging the rooms in Chicago, telephone calls, the complicated devices of getting the money? The final situation and his sabotage and his failure?

5. How well did Timothy Bottoms portray the young man: as personal, as anonymous? His initial watching the roller-coaster, his planting the devices, his callous killing of people? The monotony of his voice, his intelligence and yet his lack of feeling? His hold over Harry Calder? The question of money? His skills, electronics, engineering? The audacity of his bugging the office disguised as a waiter? A good mine gone corrupt? His personal involvement with the money exchange in Virginia? His desperate plan at the end? The irony of his being caught and confronting Harry? His death?

6. The impact of the rollercoaster destruction? People's lives being lost, the crash, the impact of the special effects? The taping and the bugging? The technology employed for the exchange of the money? The psychology of anticipating his presence at Magic Mountain at the inauguration, the eth of July? The various attempts to trick the young man? His desperation?

7. The impact of rollercoasters and their exhilaration, fear, safety? The amount of film given to visual presentation of the rides? Harry at Richmond, the young man on the revolution at Magic Mountain? The people and their enjoyment of such thrills?

8. The importance of George Segal's characterization of Harry? A credible hero? As a character, his work? His place in the office, his not rising to important positions, sense of honesty? As a contrast with the young man, practical man anticipating his thinking? The importance of the background of his marriage, daughter and the buying of the pet, the meals? The relationship with Fran? And their presence at Magic Mountain? His work, interrogating the people after the accident, the confrontation with Simon Davenport, his presence in Chicago, Hoyt and his attitude towards him? His involvement in solving the case? An ordinary hero that audiences could identify with?

9. The hero with initiative: at Richmond and the various details of the money exchange, the radio, the signs, the messengers and the exchange of the money? His preoccupation even when out with his daughter and Fran, his anticipation of Magic Mountain and his being justified? His being the man to detect and confront the young man?

10. The picture of Hoyt and the FBI: a sense of realism, their power, skill at their jobs, sending medals of congratulations etc.? The carnival bosses and the involvement with the extortion?

11. The picture of the ordinary police, searching the track, their disguises, their skill in keeping the fairgrounds under surveillance?

12. The portrayal of ordinary people, the passengers in the rollercoaster, the people at work at the fairgrounds? Ordinary people in danger?

13. The contribution of the crisp dialogue, the sparking of interchanges and interactions? Why is such dialogue and situations enjoyable?

14. Themes of danger, society, challenges, risks? Modern sabotage?