RATTLED

US, 1996, 90 minutes, Colour.
William Katt, Shanna Reed.
Directed by Tony Randel.

Writers Ken and Jim Wheat were responsible for quite a range of films including The Ewoks, Pitch Black and the Riddick Chronicles as well as thrillers like this.

The setting is California, developers blasting a hillside with dynamite which upsets the nests of the rattlesnakes who then search for another place to nest. They begin to wreak havoc on people’s lives – and the focus of the film is on a family, the designer of the enterprise who wants to be friendly, his new wife, a doctor who has two children (including a very spoilt brat of a son). The film focuses on the relationships within the family – and the performances of the William Katt and Shanna Reed make it above average in this aspect. The expected thrills are there – as well as the scares, culminating in the stepfather having to rescue his stepson.

While the material is in many ways predictable, it is very competently done, does not outstay its welcome, has a strong environmental message and gives some background to the habits of snakes. However, anyone who is not fond of watching snakes on screen (or in real life) may find the film rather disturbing.

1. The impact of the film? Animal thriller? Menace? Environmental message? Focus on the family? How well combined were these elements?

2. The Californian valley, the mountains, the reservoir? The environment for a building development? The message that such projects should be environmentally friendly? The need for research into animal politics?

3. The sense of menace, audience expectations, fulfilled? However, given the realism of the plot, the episodes not seeming farfetched? Much more realistic than usual?

4. The enterprise, the blastings, the explosions disturbing people? The building site? The focus on the snakes, their den, their being disturbed in hibernation, their coming out, defending themselves, looking for food? Going into gardens, houses? In the depot? The presentation of the snakes? Rattlers and their sound and sinister look? The scientist and his explanations? The searching for the snakes?

5. The role of Paul and his work, his expertise, his love for Krista, marriage, his adopting the children? The reaction of the children? Michelle” Adam and his resentment of Paul? His friend and their bratty behaviour, endangering themselves and others?

6. Paul, the clashes with the officials? With the children? his memories of his own father, not wanting to be like his father? Michelle and her love for Krista? Trying to help her? Adam and Ricky, their practical jokes and irresponsible behaviour? Michelle and her going out to find her boyfriend? Their being trapped in the house with the snake? Ricky and Adam and their going to the tunnel, going in? Ricky and his running out, trying to get away? Adam trapped?

7. Krista, her anxiety, the phone calls, going home, searching for Adam? Waiting outside the tunnel?

8. Paul, his decision to go in, the doctor unable to carry the boy, the change of boots, his being bitten? The suspense and the rescue of Adam, trying to climb the ladder, Paul being bitten, the grille and its being hard to move? The rescue? Paul in hospital and the recovery?
9.
10. The background of the building, the explosions, Murray and his managing, the relationship with his wife, his being bitten? The birds being bitten? The ending and the shock, bitten?

11. How well combined in a short time were the elements of exploration film and values, relationships? Building and the environment? Animal menace and ecology?