80,000 SUSPECTS

UK, 1963, 113 minutes, Black and white.
Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Yolande Donlan, Cyril Cusack, Kay Walsh, Michael Goodliffe, Mervyn Johns, Ray Barrett, Basil Dignam.
Directed by Val Guest.

The film is based on an Elliston Trevor thriller. It is the story of a smallpox outbreak in the city of Bath. The medical aspects of the film are quite well handled - although predictable. There is a marriage subplot which is presented sometimes obtrusively within the framework of the epidemic. The film, however, is very well acted by its stars and this give it more strength than it deserves. Competently written and directed by Val Guest. it is in black and white Cinemascope and makes good use of location photography in the city of Bath. Cyril Cusack has a substantial role as a Catholic hospital chaplain and there are some interesting uses of Confession symbolism for the exploration of the marriage theme.

1. The constant appeal of the romantic melodrama? The best seller basis for the film? The plausibility of a smallpox outbreak? The handling of the situation? The use of stock situations and characters?

2. British production values of the sixties? Black and white photography, wide screen, score? Location photography in the City of Bath?

3. The plausibility of the plot: the smallpox carrier, the start of The epidemic, the authorities handling the situation, people's response? The personal stories at the background of the epidemic? The blend of
action and romance?

4. The New Year's Eve party and the initial focus on the central characters? The happiness of the party, Ruth and her drinking, seducing the doctor, Steven and Julie and their tensions, Clifford and Ruth and the brittle marriage? The background for the smallpox diagnosis by Steven? His work with Clifford? The basis for the development of The strands of the plot?

5. The focus on smallpox? The danger of its spread? Subsequent elimination of the disease? Mrs Davis and her son being the carrier? His feelings of blame and responsibility and the chaplain's response to, him? The Davis household and their having to be quarantined? The growing number of cases? Authorities their meetings? Role of the Police? Health inspectors? Vaccinations? The hospital staff and their treatment or the patients? Atmosphere for the treatment of the epidemic?

6. The focal role of the chaplain? The fact that he was a Catholic? Audience expectations about Catholic doctrine and practice? Consoling the Davis boy? The talk with Julie and his kissing her with the matron's reprimand? His talking with Steven in the disinfection room? Steven and his confession? The chaplain acting as wise catalyst for Steven's confession? Moral stances. sympathetic moral stances, his talk with Julie at the end and her telling the truth to him? The role of a hospital chaplain?

7. Steven as competent doctor, experienced. diagnosis of the smallpox? His staying to help? The fragility of his marriage to Julie and their tensions? The previous infatuation with Ruth? His skill in his work? Clifford asking him the truth about Ruth and his telling him? The incident at the Crossroads Hotel? The search for Ruth? worries of conscience and talk with Father McGuire? His fearing that Julie would die and his change of heart? The possibilities of reconciliation? Julie and the tensions of her marriage, her disappointment in returning from the dance, suspicions of Ruth ? and the irony that She knew all about the affair? Her work, becoming ill, cantankerous patient, clashes with Matron, the talk with Father McGuire? Steven and the possibilities of reconciliation? Her getting better? The
build-up for the marriage reconciliation?

8. Clifford as the dedicated doctor, skill in his work? Love for Ruth? His knowledge of the truth but unwillingness to face it? His hard exterior? The talk about virtue and evil? Ruth and her not being able to live up to Clifford's expectations? Drinking and parties? Affairs? The irony of the car crash, Steven discovering her clothes at the Crossroads Hotel? Her being a carrier? Her friend coming to the hospital? Her final ringing Steven and wanting, to talk? Her love for the dying man? Her death and the hospital burning?

9. The incidental characters especially Bradley and his being taken from the hotel, the irony of his relationship with Ruth?

10. The various officials and their personal problems, handling the situation, communications? The Press? The Matron and the nurses?

11. An interesting melodrama of reassuring the public that authorities Are able to handle outbreaks and epidemics? The changing perspective of domestic problems with such epidemics and the need to cope and help?