CONDUCT UNBECOMING

UK, 1975, 107 minutes, Colour.
Michael York, Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, Stacy Keach, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, James Donald, James Faulkener.
Directed by Michael Anderson.

Conduct Unbecoming's title indicates a code dishonoured. Custom and conduct in the British Forces in 19th Century India is the theme of this theatre-based drama, set for the large part in an unofficial court hearing. This means that acting and dialogue are important and such stalwarts as Trevor Howard, Richard Attenborough and James Donald give the film strength. The dramatic conflict and the issues of right and honour are focused on the young officer played well by Michael York. There is a great deal of criticism of and satire on blind loyalty and regimental solidarity at the expense of truth, complicated by a plea for honourable friendship, especially in Christopher Plummer's character. The ending has a surprise.

1. The significance and tone of the title. indication of themes of behaviour, decorum, honour?

2. Was it evident that the film was based on a stage play? Staginess in the presentation? The strength and quality of the dialogue and dramatic confrontations? Structure?

3. The use of prominent British stars? The use of colour, details of India and atmosphere, the nineteenth century?

4. What aspects of 19th. Century empire were to the fore in this film? Seeing England as home. the ways of army life abroad, traditions and the holding to traditions? Sensible attitudes and stupid attitudes? Their influence on people and their behaviour?

5. The film's comment on or criticism of conduct, honour, decorum, good-fellowship? How much was there a vindication of the codes of honour? Despite the criticism?

6. The audience entering the film via Millington and Drake. their train ride, talk about the army and their training, opposite attitudes? The irony of the reversal of attitudes and behaviour at the end of the film? Where did the audience stand in terms of identification with Drake?

7. How sympathetic a character and hero was Drake? His initial attitude towards the code of honour, his naive and eager attitudes towards army life,, the detailed presentation of their arrival, the attention to military detail and strictness? Drake's adaptation to the customs? The detailed portrayal of the pig-sticking chase? Drake's involvement in this? The contrast with Millington and his cynical and detached attitudes? His aloofness from the customs?

8. The portrayal of the people in the army headquarters: Strang and the way of leading the people, the officers. his sense of responsibility, his responsibility for the army and its code? His wife and her status at Headquarters? The Indians on the site? Their status, behaviour? Major Roach and his position at Headquarters, as an officer, his strictness, his friendship with Mr. Scarlett? The Adjutant and his role? The doctor? Mrs. Scarlett and her position at Headquarters? As the widow of a hero, her own behaviour and people's attitude towards her?

9. Audience response to the pig-sticking chase? This as a context for the abuse of Mrs. Scarlett? The impact on her, audience response and accusation? The indecorum of the attack, the physical and psychological horror?

10. The various accusations and the repercussions at Headquarters? The accusation of Millington and his attitude for defence? His choosing of Drake? Drake's unwillingness to be lawyer, his conscientiousness in trying to find out the truth? His changing attitudes? The audience changing with him?

11. The response to the court and its legality? Were there any alternatives? What right had this court? Audience interest in the court scenes, the details of the interrogation, for example the doctor? The interrogation of Mrs. Scarlett and her attitudes? What was gradually revealed? The breaking of the code? Suspense? The final interrogation of Mrs. Scarlett and the revelation of the truth, the melodrama of her miming her attack?

12. Was Drake right in his pursuit of the truth? The hard-headedness of the Adjutant at first, his open-mindedness, his looking at the truth? His decision about re-questioning people? The effect, for example on the doctor? On Strang?

13. The gradual emergence of the character of Wimbourne? His attitude towards the court? To Mrs. Scarlett? His involvement with the Indian woman, the history of her abuse? His explanation of the truth and the melodrama of the revelation of the truth?

14. Roach and the revelation of the truth? The effect of Scarlett's death on him, his attitude to Mrs. Scarlett, his motivation in the abuse? His madness, good-fellowship and Wimbourne's supporting him for the sake of the regiment? The irony and truth of the final photo?

15. Drake leaving and his reasons for leaving? Millington's staying? The comment on the experience that they had been through?

16. Insight into human nature, strengths and weaknesses? The 19th and 20th century contrasts? The world of formality. comradeship, honour and decorum?