THE MOONSHINE WAR

US, 1970, 97 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Mc Goohan, Richard Widmark, Alan Alda, Melodie Johnson, Lee Hazelwood, Will Geer.
Directed by Richard Quine.

The Moonshine War is set in the Prohibition days, the days of the Chicago gangsters and just before Bonnie and Clyde. The action takes place in the backblocks of Tennessee but the spirit of exploitation and resistance is that of the gangster 30's.

The film is not outstanding, moving at a rather leisurely Tennessee pace which might not engross the bulk of an audience. However, it builds up its picture of a Prohibition agent whom we learn is crooked, and his mean and vicious associates. The local man who has a successful still, seems on the wrong side of the law until we find him victimised by the agent and his cronies. It is here that the film comes to life and is worth some attention. In a High Noon fashion the man with the still has to defend himself almost alone. Here, the townspeople, supposedly his friends, all come out to see the battle. They picnic and watch and do not lift a finger to help. The film thus has some interesting comments on society and the odd situations (Prohibition was an odd situation), people find themselves in.

English actor Patrick Mc Goohan goes American and Richard Widmark reminds us of how callous a villain he can be.


1. What do you know of the Prohibition era? Why did it happen? When and why did it stop?

2. What would have motivated a Prohibition agent to do his work seriously? Principles or payment for a job done?

3. would you blame people for operating illicit stills during this period? Should local sheriffs have enforced the law strictly?

4. Why did Frank let himself be tempted to abuse his position as an agent to make money?

5. What was the point of the long sequence of getting the city couple to strip? what did it tell you about Dr Taulbee and his assistants? What did it tell you about Frank?

6. Was Son consistent in his principles throughout the film?

7. What kind of man was Dr Taulbee? Did he have any likeable qualities at all?

8. Was Frank deceiving himself in imagining that there would be no violence?

9. Why did Lizann refuse to lend Son her money? How did he see that?

10. Why did the confrontation develop into a battle?

11. Why did Frank change sides? Was it because of any principle or for greed?

12. What was the effect of having so many people watching the battle? What comment on society and helping others did this make?

13. Why could this kind of thing happen in a supposedly civilised part of America?

14. Was the end too brutal with the shootings and the villains being blown up?

15. What was the point of making this film?