SUMMERFIELD
Australia, 1977, 95 minutes, Colour.
Nick Tate, John Waters, Elizabeth Alexander, Michelle Jarman, Charles Tingwell.
Directed by Ken Hannam.
Summerfield: avoid too close scrutinizing plot twists and red herrings, but the several ingredients of the ending do not have as enormous an impact as intended. Rather, this is a moderate, atmospheric mystery with beautiful Westernport Bay locations, suggesting the closed island society and closed family. It is easy to identify with Nick Tate as a pleasant hero and share his curiosity. Elizabeth Alexander as a mysterious mother is an attractive and persuasive actress. John Waters is there brooding. m ere are some nice touches, as Charles Tingwell's ornithologist doctor, but plot and clues seem unnecessarily contrived for their purpose.
1. How satisfying and enjoyable a drama, thriller?
2. The production values, especially the location photography, creation of atmosphere?
3. The reasons for audience interest in character, mystery, situations? With whom could the audience identify and become involved? How interesting was the puzzle?
4. The importance of the structure: the entry of Simon Robinson and the audience into Banning's Beach, the mystery of Peter Flynn, the atmosphere of the town, the puzzle and focus on Sally Abbott, on Summerfield and its mystery, on Jenny and David? Thd gradual drawing in of Simon? The basic framework of the disappearance of Peter Flynn? How satisfactory were the ambiguities of character and plot within this structure?
5. Simon Robinson as focus: the importance of his arrival and the dead end at Summerfield's locked entrance? The significance of Summerfield being on an island, at the end of a bridge, the gate? Sally Abbott and her mysterious presence? Were expectations from these ingredients fulfilled?
6. Simon and his being settled in the guest house? Betty and her sensual attitudes, sexual liaison with Simon? Her husband and his friends and the drinks? Peter Flynn's room and everything in order? His photos and his possessions? The rousing of Simon's curiosity and the audience's?
7. The atmosphere of the school, Simon at work, relationship with the children, successor to Peter Flynn? The encounter with Sally? His curiosity because of her friendship with Peter Flynn? Accepting her invitation and then ignoring it, hitting her with his car and the consequences of her broken leg?
8. The initial impact of Jenny Abbott? Her reputation, her relationship with her brother, with Sally? Her cold behaviour? The background of her story, unmarried mother?
9. The contrast with David: cold, withdrawn, sinister? His relationship with Sally? Suspicions of Simon?
10. The coming together of interests in Simon's mind: Summerfield, its personalities, Peter Flynn, the clues and the links of the photos? His suspicions about the disappearing car, the remainder of the wheel? His suspicions?
11. The significance of Dr Miller's presence in the film, helping Simon, helping Sally? The bird-watching sequences?
12. The gradual development of Simon's interest, involvement, on the cliff, personal involvement and interent in Jenny Abbott?
13. Did the characters change? Jenny and her growing friendliness? The invitation to dinner? The tensions? What did the audience suspect at this stage? As regards Sally's illness, the indications about salt water, Peter Flynn's relationship with Jenny? David's relationship?
14. Audience reaction to the Picturing of incest? With these characters? that the audience had got to know? Sharing Simon's reaction?
15. How credible was the consequent violence? The death of Sally? David and his going mad, protecting his secret? The violent death of Jenny contrasting with the sensuality of the relationship such a little time before? David's own death?
16. The arrival of Peter Flynn - a type of anti-climax?
17. How well sketched was this portrait of an insulated society? Individuals within it? ordinary way? of life, sinister aspects? Credible situations and behaviour?
