CHOSEN SURVIVORS

US, 1974, 98 minutes, Colour.
Jackie Cooper, Alex Cord, Richard Jaeckel, Bradford Dillman, Diana Muldaur.
Directed by Sutton Roley.

Chosen Survivors is expanded T.V. material, enjoyable in its way without being outstanding. The screenplay combines nuclear power science-fiction, the group disaster genre and the fearsome animals (this time, vampire bats), so there is plenty to discuss.

1. The implications of the title for science-fiction and the nuclear atmosphere of the film? The elitist overtones? An apt title for this film?

2. How impressive was the opening of the film? The nuclear holocaust atmosphere, the slow-motion photography of the survivors, the going down under the earth? Did the structure of the film follow this opening? The nuclear atmosphere changing to animal science-fiction and horror? Did this produce a satisfying entertainment, with interesting implications?

3. What did the film have to say about governments using people? The choice of these survivors. the programming of their life underground? What was your reaction to their being taken? Being forced to see the nuclear destruction, being observed by the behavioural psychologist? Did you share their reactions to this situation? How ironic was it when it was discovered not to be true?

4. How well observed and acted were the interaction scenes between the survivors? Why didn't they react according to program? The details of their behaviour - were they predictable? Why? The irony of Mc Comber observing them? The nature of the program made for them with its bland television sweetness and light? Your reaction to this? Do governments have the right to do this?

5. What was your response to the elite group who were chosen to survive? Is this the mark of a Fascist government and a destruction of human rights? The criteria for the choice of these survivors?

6. How central was the character of Raymond Couzins? Why was he so repellent? The businessman without money? Using his 'hard-deal' personality with the others? His drunkenness and bitterness? His rape? Did you feel sorry for him? His lack of sense when decisions needed to be taken? His using money to get the black man to open the door? Did you feel he deserved the retribution he got? Why?

7. How central was the character of McComber? His observation of people's behaviour. seeming to be so cool? Did you suspect him of being an agent? Why did he break so badly when the situation crisis came? What comment was made on his profession.. his moral attitudes? Being a machine instead of a man? Did you feel he deserved the punishment that he got?

8. How interesting were the characters of the novelist and the Congresswoman? Were they conventional hero and heroine material? What did they contribute to the life underground? Their relationship to each other? Their future when they returned to ground? The impact of the experience on them?

9. Did any of the other characters emerge as fully developed personalities? Which? The scientists, the negroes? The strength of character needed for the negro to climb the shaft? Gordon Ellis as the technician? His response to the situation? Was audience sympathy with him?

10. After discussing these characters and their situation, sum up the rights and wrongs of the whole situation in terms of government policy and the use of people's lives.

11. Did the film change successfully with the introduction of the bats? Was this too abrupt a change? How successful a horror film was the section with the bats? Why? Audience reaction to the ugliness of bats, vampire bats? Was this credible?

12. How successful was the generation of suspense and thrills and urgency with the bats? Ellis's trying to detect their entry, set up protections, the dimming of the lights, the eerie entry of the bats, their destroying their victims?

13. The suspense of the climb - how successful by this part of the film? The inevitability of the bats - was this well handled? The impact of the fall after the opening of the door? The response of the audience to this human achievement for saving others?

14. There were many deaths in this film. They were needless. Who was to blame? The responsibility of government for the failure of the plan? The irony of the T.V. plan and program still going blandly, with such disaster?

15. Was the end satisfying? What was the ultimate impact of this science-fiction film? Why?