THE SCAPEGOAT

UK, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Rhys, Andrew Scott, Eileen Atkins, Sylvie Testud, Jodhi May, Phoebe Nichols, Sheridan Smith, Julian Wadham.
Directed by Charles Sturridge.

The Scapegoat is based on a novel by Daphne du Maurier. She was the author of a number of novels which became very popular films including Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, The Birds and, especially, Rebecca.
The Sscapegoat was filmed in 1958 with Alec Guinness in the double role of the teacher and the ne’er-do-well. Bette Davis portrayed the arrogant mother, Pamela Brown the sister. It was directed by Robert Hamer, director of such films as Father Brown and Kind Hearts and Coronets.
This film was directed by Charles Sturridge who made his initial impact with the television version of Brideshead Revisited. He also directed A Handful of Dust and Where Angels Fear to Tread.
Welsh actor, Matthew Rhys, does very well and the dual role. Eileen Atkins is the mother, Andrew Scott his brother, Jodhi May, his sister. Phoebe Nichols is the maid who recognizes the truth.
The film is set in 1953, the time of the coronation, and enthusiasm for the royal family and hopes for a new Britain, moving away from the upstairs-downstairs class distinctions.
While the plot might strain some credibility, Matthew Rhys’s performance makes it quite credible.

1. An interesting period piece? The remnants of upstairs-downstairs? Class distinctions? The 1950s?
2. A story by Daphne Du Maurier? Well-filmed in the 1950s? Her stories, the British tone?
3. The coronation year, the spirit, flags, media coverage, television? Its being seen as a new era in British history?
4. The title, expectations? John and Johnny? The family, its fortune, money difficulties, relationships, gilts, change?
5. The picture of John, at school, with the boys, discipline, his teaching the classics, too esoteric the classes? Budget considerations? The headmaster? Letting him go?
6. The headmaster, his style? John and his packing, leaving, going to town? The vague future? Travel?
7. At the inn? Drinking? Meeting Johnny? Their talk, Johnny and his family, the family business? His getting drunk? The attack and change?
8. Matthewe Rhys and his portraying the two John’s? His ability in making them different?
9. John, the aftermath of the encounter with Johnny, his disappearance? The chauffeur, driving him home, met by his wife, visiting his mother, the response of his sister, of his daughter? His mother’s maid? The initial bewilderment?
10. The overall effect on John? Credibility? The moment when he made the decision? Going along with the situation? Making it personal?
11. His ways of allowing each person to respond to him? Thinking he was Johnny? The issue of the contract, Johnny going to sign it, John lying? The factory, its needs? Tour of the factory? The family lifestyle? Discovering the relationships, especially with his sister in law? His manner, different from Chinese? Correct line
12. The family characters: his mother, autocratic, in bed, arrogant manner? Doting on Johnny? His wife, subdued, surprised by his behaviour and treatment? The daughter, her playfulness? Brother, the reactions, work? His wife and the affair? His sister’s hostility? His playing to each character?
13. John going to town, the encounter with Bela, her character, the relationship, discovering more about the family, about his sister and her emotions?
14. His bringing change? The factory visits? His brother and his relief?
15. Johnny and reappearing, sinister, his attempt to kill his wife, his daughter seeing it?
16. Charlotte, her character, place in the house, work, knowing the truth and agreeing not to reveal the tuth?
17. The buildup to the confrontation between the two Johns, the fight, Johnny’s death, the body in the furnace?
18. The change in each of the family members, challenging his mother to come downstairs and participate in life, her going outside? His wife and devotion, his daughter? His sister and the challenge and changing?
19. The death of Johnny, the opportunity for John to become Johnny and take his place in the household, for the better?