TRIBES

US, 1970, 90 minutes, Colour.
Darren Mc Gavin, Earl Holliman, Jan- Michael Vincent.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.

Tribes was also known as The Soldier Who Declared Peace for its theatrical release. This telemovie was very topical in 1970. The protests against the war were very strong, President Nixon had bombed Cambodia, students had been gunned down at Kent State, the draft for Vietnam was in full swing and people were becoming disillusioned, especially because of television pictures of the war as well as the protests. The film played to a younger audience – in the aftermath of the hippies, long hair, flower power, and standing up to authority figures, especially when they were not credible.

Jan- Michael Vincent is the central character. He appeared in several of this kind of film during the 1960s and 1970s including Buster and Billie. The authorities are played by television regulars Darren Mc Gavin and Earl Holliman.

The film is interesting to look at in retrospect. It highlights attitudes at the end of the 60s and attitudes which were to come into play in the 1970s.

The film was directed by regular telemovie director Joseph Sargent who had a long career in films (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three) as well as many telemovies into the 21st century. The screenplay by Marvin Schwartz and Tracy Keenan Wynn won an Emmy award. It was Tracy Keenan Wynn’s first screenplay. He went on to write such interesting films as The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman, The Longest Yard, The Drowning Pool as well as the adaptation of Peter Benchley’s The Deep.

1. The quality of this telemovie? Award for its screenplay? Television style, commercial pauses etc.?

2. Its reflection of the atmosphere of 1970, attitudes towards the military in America, Vietnam? The presuppositions of the popular American audience at the time the television audience? How stirring would this film have been? Its impact now?

3. The significance of the title, the background of the song? The different tribes that Adrian and Drake represented? The overtones of the word ‘tribe’?

4. What was the basic message of this film? In an American context, human values? The challenging of established values especially by the military?

5. The film's focus on Adrian? His first presentation in the bus, his appearance, attitudes? The inspection of the new recruits and his place amongst them? The background of his being drafted? What kind of person was he in himself, his ability to fit in, reactions to people? His reaction to Drake? His being called ‘Lady'? De Payster and his hostility? The other recruits? How did he appear an a sign of contradiction?

6. His ability to cope with military life and training? His enthusiasm? His criticism? His use of meditation. remaining cheerful? Not taking things and routines too seriously? His basic loyalties?

7. The other recruits and their characterization, suspicion and hostility, support? Fear, humour? The recruit who slashed his wrists? The impact of training on them?

8. Drake as a sign of contradiction? His initial appearance and his presentation of himself as martinet? Yet seeing him relaxed, talking about fishing, his drawing? His dedication to his work and his belief in his style of training? The ways in which he was hard, soft and kind? His relenting in his confrontation with Adrian? The taunts of De Payster? The sequence of the rifle range and Adrian’s refusing to shoot? His pursuing him when he went off without leave and persuading him to come back?

9. The contrast of De Payster as the harsh military martinet, unimaginative, cruel? The comment on military attitudes via this character?

10. The film’s presentation of military style, orders, obedience, shouting etc? Audience response to this way of training? How human a way of training?

11. The shooting and the change in Adrian, his going away and yet returning?

12. His achievement, but the crisis of checking his motivation and returning him to camp? The clash between Drake and De Payster?

13. The film's informing the audience that Adrian had gone over the hill? The reactions of both men? The symbolism of the gull?

14. What is the audience left with after a film like this? A questioning of its values?