A PLACE TO GO

UK, 1963, 86 minutes, Black and white.
Bernard Lee, Rita Tushingham, Michael Sarne.
Directed by Basil Dearden.

A minor version of the type of theme explored in British films in the early 60s. In black and white, with strong and sturdy performances, it shows a social setting and young people trying to work out their future. Probably somewhat dated now, it reflects the questions and styles of British film-making and preoccupations. Rita Tushingham is the lead. Michael Sarne is the leading man. He later went to Hollywood and directed such films as Joanna and the controversial Myra Breckinridge. A small film, but interesting in raising social questions.

1. The main interest and appeal of this film? In its time, now?

2. The film as one of the sixties, black and white photography, the emphasis, details of family life, British types, country towns, the point of view of the Provinces, ambitions of young men at the time?

3. The tone of realism about the film and the type of response it asked for? How real was the realism of the film?

4. The significance of the title and the indication of Rick's ambitions? The ambitions of all the characters? How optimistic, pessimistic?

5. The tone of the opening, the party, the changing of moods, the interaction in the family, the horseplay, the birth? The type of detail in giving a tone and style to the film?

6. The portrayal of family? This family an symbolic of a British family of the sixties? Comment on the types and their interaction?

7. Matt and his role as father at the family? His union work? His pride, not supporting his family? His work, people laughing at him? The humour, the humiliation? His wife's pride? Collecting money? The drama of his death? How real was the insight into this mother and father of a family?

8. The film's focus on Rick? His place in the family, his dreams and ambitions, his work as a singer, his work in his job, his relationship with Cat? His smartness and his being put down? His role in the robbery, relationship with Jia, the burning and the bashing? The effect of the court-case? His marriage to Cat? The picture of the average young man of Britain in the sixties in the provinces?

9. The portrayal of Cat and her world? Her type, flirting, boyfriends and girlfriends? Wanting her own way, for example about the pictures? Her love for Rick? Being prepared to share his life?

10. The contrast with Jim and Betsy and their trying to settle down, raise a family, build a house, the temptation of easy money?

ll. How convincing were Jack and the crooks? Their organization? Their brutality?

12. How well observed a picture of English life was the film? How satisfying an exploration of the themes of the working class? How valuable is this kind of film?