COCKFIGHTER

US, 1974, 83 minutes, Colour.
Warren Oates, Richard B. Shull, Harry Dean Stanton, Ed. Begley Jnr., Millie Perkins.
Directed by Monte Hellman.

Rollerball, Death Race 2000 used elaborate sports as metaphors for comment on the brutalising of modern man and the totalitarian pressures on individuals in society. This film works in the opposite direction. It takes a traditional brutal American sport, which is illegal but acceptable in many States, and shows an individualist trainer asserting himself, despite the pressures, competition and money interests. The film is thus a small-budget, modest parable about tough men in a tough world and their need to win. Directed by independent Monte Hellman, the film has Warren Oates as its driven hero. The film will probably be popular with students of film.

1. The appeal of this kind of a film, interest? What audience was it made for? The blunt indications of the title?

2. How successful was the film as a realistic look at a part of America? In terms of plot, character, the sport and its details, the profession, the crisis in relationships? How interesting on this level?

3. The impact of the film as symbolic of modern America? The use of a violent sport as a symbol, an illegal sport? The overtones of gambling, corruption, cruelty, ugliness? What were the implications of the metaphor for understanding some of the themes of modern America and its way of life?

4. The importance of including scenes of cockfighting? Their impact? Were they exploited or appropriately used?

5. The importance of showing the training, the explanation of the sport and the nature of the fights?

6. Comment on the film's presentation of the people who are involved in the profession, the people who watch, their emotional responses? How much sport, how cruel? How humane?

7. The background of the profession: skills, risks, the turnover of money, the people who are backers, the state banquets, the prizes?

8. How much of a hero was the hero? An Everyman character? What kind of man was he? The American, the individualist, the loser who wants to win, leaving his family, his girlfriend?

9. The significance of his not speaking? How symbolic? Its effect on himself and on people? The reason for his speaking?

10. The nature of his dreams, his ambitions, goals of achievement? His sacrificing himself, happiness of life, ease, love of his girl etc. for this achievement? How important was it when he won at the end?

11. The portrayal of the girl? The lyricism of the love scenes compared with the cockfighting? The clear presentation of choices? Her arrival at the end? Her running away in disgust? His realising that she loved him? What future would they have together?

12. The background of his sister and brother-in-law? Human relationships, family, money, business deals?

13. The relationship between the hero and his partner? The eagerness of the partner? The training of the birds? The hopes for success?

14. The characters of the backers and the professionals? Especially the rival? The cockfighting as symbol of rivalry between the two men? The fight to death?

15. The portrayal of the various strata of society indicating the implications of the sport metaphor covering all of America?

16. What is the value of this kind of film for understanding modern America?