SERGEANT MATLOVICH VERSUS THE US AIR FORCE

US, 1978, 100 minutes, Colour.
Brad Dourif, Ellen Holly, Harrison Page, Donald Moffat, Bill Duke.
Directed by Paul Leaf.

A serious telemovie with a message. Based on the experience and the court case of Leonard Matlovich, it shows a conflict as regards the presence of a professed homosexual in the armed services. Matlovich came out in 1975 and this film shows his story, his motivation, the reaction of the Air Force and the subsequent losing of his case. The film is an obvious plea for understanding of homosexuals and presents its case, within the legal context. seriously and very discreetly. It emphasises the basic human elements rather than any sensationalising of issues. Because of this, it is a very helpful film to see for understanding of the basic issues.

The film has a good cast and is led by Brad Dourif, of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and Wise Blood, who shows the development in character of Matlovich during his experience in the Air Force. It is a great skill of the film that it can present such serious material designed for the home television audience.

1. An interesting film, entertaining, social message, current affairs?

2. How well did the film gear its theme and its treatment to the home television audience? The impact of telemovies - especially with social theme? Adapting the material of the court case and Matlovich's life to the home audience? The wide audience? Making it acceptable for viewing, retaining interest. persuading an audience to consider the issues? What was the audience left with?

3. Audience presuppositions about homosexuality in itself, homosexuals, rights, behaviour? Legal issues, moral issues, security issues, educational issues?

4. The structure of the film: the introduction of Matlovich within the context of his court case, the development of the proceedings and their dramatic momentum? Intellectual understanding, emotional involvement? The staging of the various flashbacks and their revelation of Matlovich's character, background, struggles, crises, skills, patriotism? How well did they blend with the development of the court case?

5. Matlovich in himself his American and family background, the presentation of his mother and her being upset. his father's reaction and coming to visit him and support him, the Air Force background? His growing up, his experience of school. work? His desire to be in the Air Force, his skills, seriousness, combat in Vietnam, injury, friendship with the padre? His puritanical reactions to the men's treatment of women, his fears? The realization of homosexuality - his revelation of this, his desperation? His continued skill at work, race relationships, training the men? His decision after psychiatry and counselling? His handling of the case, his crusading, his preparedness to make his case public? The repercussions for himself? How did the.audience respond to him, judge him throughout the various stages of the film?

6. Audience interest in the case, the establishing of the jury and their arrival, their being tested, the dismissal of the various aspects? The officials and their attitude and problems? The book and its regulations? Security and morality? The attitude of the lawyers for and against?

7. Matlovich's own attitude during the court case, the support he received from his mother's phone call, his father's visit? The importance of the testimonies - from friends, colleagues? Attesting to his character, skills? The importance of the psychiatrists and their psychological background, testimony to Matlovich's balance? The importance of his own speech and comments on law and morality? The importance of the summation and the issues of justice, Army regulations, personal pleas?

8. The importance of the flashbacks and how they were handled - the drama within them, the revelations of various characters? Their impact on Matlovich: his mother and his relationship to her, his date and the saying of the Rosary, basketball practice and his enjoyment of sport, his involvement in race relations programmes, his experience in Vietnam and the encounter with the prostitutes, his friendship with the priest (and his sternness yet welcoming attitude)? The friendship with Jason, the fights, his attitude towards the rules and his strictness, the discussions with the priest and his continued invitation to open himself? The importance of his letter, the presence at the graveside, the mission and the mine injury? His hospitalisation and the visit from his father? His way of illustrating prejudice and prejudice against blacks to the trainees? The emergence of the homosexual interest, realisation? The importance of the death of the priest and the closing of an avenue of self-exploration? The walk down the street and the Gay bar? The telling of Jason, his rejection and the temptation to suicide, Jason's return and friendship? The visit to the bar, the friendship. the humane aspects of male to male friendship? Jogging, reading and training? The visit to the psychologist, her feminine support in his problem? His decision to write the letter? The presentation of the letter and its rejection? His decision to be involved in the case?

9. The finale of the film, their losing of the case, the question of rights, law and morals, responsibility? The value of telemovies like this for informing the public emotively about crucial social issues?