SO PROUDLY WE HAIL

US, 1990, 90 minutes, Colour.
David Soul, Edward Herrmann, Raphael Sbarge, Chad Lowe, Harley Jane Kozak.
Directed by Lionel Chetwynd.

So Proudly We Hail was the title of a 1940s war movie, focusing on the role of women during World War Two. This '80s telemovie focuses on the rise of Fascism and Neo-Nazism? in the United States. It was a theme in quite a number of films at the period including Dead Bang, Pink Cadillac, Malone.

The film focuses on an ambitious university professor, his wanting tenure, the political intrigues at his institute, his being used by the Neo-Nazi? think tank to support their cause - and playing on his ambition to make him go further and further publicly into supporting them. Edward Herman is very persuasive as the ambitious and self-centred academic. David Soul is the leader of the Neo-Nazis?. Chad Lowe is the leader of a group of boys, trying to make money from drug-peddling, caught up in the Neo-Nazi? movement - and with tragic consequences.

The film is a timely warning about the ever-present potential of fascism and racism in the United States. It is presented dramatically and, ultimately, melodramatically to make its strong points. It was written and directed by Lionel Chetwynd (Hanoi Hilton).

1. Interesting drama? America in the '80s? Racism, fascism? Narrow American consciousness?

2. The world of the academic, the world of the media, the talkback shows, current affairs programs? The world of the right-wingers, California and the Mexican border, the cities? The credibility of the atmosphere - and audience identification and understanding?

3. The title and the quote from The Star-Spangled? Banner? American patriotism? The United States at the end of the 20th century?

4. The possibility of the rise of right-wing and fascist groups? The going back to Nazi ideals? The reality of the groups, the support, financial, intellectual? Power games and struggles? The indoctrination of the young? The manipulation of the media? Using liberal academics?

5. James Wagner and his place in his college, Crosby spying on him, McVitty? and the tenure? The other academics? His classes, support of his students? His vision of social care and concern? His understanding of racial groups and what had happened in American society? His perspectives from the '60s to the '80s? His forthrightness? His feeling being passed over? His relationship with Angie? The approach by Susan, the interviews, the flattery, the quotation from his article? His angry reaction, being taken out of context? Susan and her power of persuading him to be calm, to give his ideas - to go on television? His watching the program and his being edited? His being attacked? Going to Harvard and the students booing him? His bewilderment, his sense of self-justification? His decision to go on television with the Neo-Nazis?

6. Angie, her relationship with James, her English teaching and quotes, support of him, alienated by his ambitions? Watching television and hoping he would not consent to go with the Neo-Nazis? The clash? Her finally accepting him after his humiliation?

7. Susan, her glamour, attraction by Crosby, Wagner playing up to her, her playing him? Plausible, the quotations, reassuring him about right-wing stances? Helping him on the media? Seductive manner, the sexual encounter? The truth about her relationship with Ernst? Her suspicions, hearing Billy and his talk, trying to protect Ernst? His treatment of her? His megalomania? Her downfall?

8. Ernst, power, wealth, the business associates? His hold over Henry? The recruiting of young men in trouble, the brainwashing and forming the squad? His using and manipulating the media, intellectuals? The relationship with Susan - and his using her? The inspiring of the young men, their being his bodyguard? Protecting them? The politician and the television interview? The gift of the Nazi souvenir and the lampshade of human flesh? His behaviour on television, smiling, making a stance, his supporters? His downfall?

9. The world of academia, Crosby, rivalry, undermining Wagner, insinuating remarks at the party, meeting Susan, supervising Wagner? McVitty?, the committee for tenure, wary about the media appearances?

10. The plot with Billy, Halley and Rocco? Driving, the drugs? Young men out of jobs, easy money? The Mexican border, behaviour in the bar, antagonism, the fights? Jail? Henry watching them? Getting them out of jail, their indebtedness to him? Taking him to Ernst? Their being transformed? Rocco and his absorbing the ethos, the appeal to the underprivileged? Getting their haircuts, in uniform? The special mission for Ernst and their successful carrying out of it? Becoming part of the bodyguard? The killing of the homosexual in the toilet? Halley and his worry, wanting to confess? His being murdered? Rocco and his stances against Billy? Billy, his conscience, his resistance to Ernst? The power Ernst exercised over them? The temptation to succumb? His worry, Halley's killing? The decision to see Wagner, explaining things, Susan overhearing? His fears, wandering the television studio, the encounter with Henry, their fight and their crash to death, locked in embrace in death?

11. Henry, his relationship with his uncle, smart, manoeuvring people, recruiting, his Fascist ideas, the plausible way he analysed American society, American rights? The racist attacks, the black servicemen and the fights? The presumption and arrogance? Using the young men? On television, the plausible answers with his uncle? The clash with Billy and his death?

12. A contemporary melodrama, a fable warning Americans about the dangers of right-wing ideologies?