STACY'S KNIGHTS
US, 1983, 95 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Andra Millian.
Directed by Jim Wilson.
Stacy's Knights is a small-budget film about gambling and beating the system. However, it has significance for being the first film of Kevin Costner. It was produced by his associate, Jim Wilson, and written and directed by his associate, Michael Blake. The three collaborated for the production, writing and direction of the Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves, 1990.
The film stars Andra Millian as Stacy, a would-be actress who tries to understand the world of gambling and casinos. She has flair. Helped by her coach in drama and by a young workman (Costner), she is able to beat the system. Clashing with the casino authorities, they prepare a plan - but Costner is killed. Using her dramatic skills, she hires some crack gamblers and disguises herself to beat the bank.
The film has the atmosphere of the early '80s - and, with its exuberance, it is a young people's film.
1. The focus on young people, gambling - and beating the bank and overcoming the authorities, older people?
2. San Francisco settings, Reno, Las Vegas, the casinos, the Californian and Nevada countryside? Musical score and songs?
3. The title and the focus on Stacy, on Will and his relationship with her, her team vindicating her and enabling her to conquer?
4. Stacy and her personality, shy, would-be actress, her learning experiences, going to the casino? The discussions with Jean? Trying out at the casino? Jean's help? The encounters with Will, his information, her learning? Success? Poole and his casino, thinking her a mouse, letting her win? The trip to Las Vegas and her success? The bond with Will? The impact of his death? Jean and Stacy going to the DA and the futility of an investigation without proof of murder? Her plan, the disguises, the interviews with her Knights? Relying on Jean for her seduction of Poole? The plan, the execution, the gambling - winning and escaping just in time?
5. Will, his work background, hanging around the casinos, gambling, his recognising Stacy's touch? The relationship with her, talking, bonding, teaching her, challenging her? Las Vegas? Poole - and the Mafia connections? His death?
6. Jean, her personality, teaching acting, friendship with Stacy? Her helping her with her work? The friendship with Will? His death, going to the DA with Stacy? Her acting flair - and the seduction of Poole?
7. Poole, the casino authorities, working with his staff, pleasant manner, cheating? Helping Stacy? Growing suspicions? The death of Will? The seduction and the encounter with Jean? The boss's arriving - and his losing the money and his job?
8. The world of the casinos, the gambling tables, the games, the staff, friendship with the gamblers, suspicions? Cheating? Surveillance and supervision? The bosses and the making of money??
9. The personalities of Stacy's Knights, the interviews, her hiring them, their skill in gambling, execution of the sting?
