LIBEL

UK, 1958, 100 minutes, Black and white.
Olivia de Havilland, Dirk Bogarde, Paul Massie, Robert Morley, Wilfred Hyde- Whyte.
Directed by Anthony Asquith.

Libel is a popular melodrama combining romance, courtroom drama, mystery and the war. It is by no means a masterpiece, but it is quite entertaining, interesting for its combination of the stars and a court-room clash between lawyers, Robert Morley and Wilfred Hyde- Whyte. This is an easy film to use for opening up discussion.

1. At the opening of the film whom was the audience meant to identify with - the accused or accuser? Did you change your sympathy during the film? If so, when and why?

2. What motivation would the accuser have - friendship from war days, duty, ambition or greed, sincerity?

3. What was the significance of the prison camp flashbacks?

4. How effective were the court scenes? How easy is it for a court to find the truth?

5. Why did the wife lose faith in her husband?

6. How painful did the film show that court appearances must be even if one is eventually found not guilty?

7. How credible was the solution, bringing in the maimed prisoner?

8. How credible was the whole film? Did it hold the interest (with some suspense) while it was screening? Why?