RED SKY AT MORNING

US, 1971, 112 minutes, Colour.
Richard Thomas, Catherine Bums, Desi Arnez, Jr, Richard Crenna, Claire Bloom, John Colicos, Harry Guardino, Strother Martin, Nehemiah Persoff.
Directed by James Goldstone.

Red Sky at Morning is a story of adolescence and growth which was released soon after Summer of '42 with which it has many things in common. It ranges more widely and may not be so successful. Yet it does raise most of the questions of growing up.

Set in America in the summer of '44, it also raises questions of the war and its effects on family. Again, the film reflects the patriotic values of that decade and seems to imply their validity for the 70's, a view that is contentious and may not be convincing.

Richard Thomas gives a characteristic performance (Winning, Last Summer, The Todd Killings, Cactus in the Snow). Catherine Burns, also of Last Summer, is good. The adults have supporting roles.

1. What did the title, with ita sailor-background, apply to the youth theme of the film?

2. Was this an optimistic film about growing up? Was it realistic? Was it at all sentimental? Why?

3. Set in the summer of 1944, the film reflected the attitudes of the times - in searching, in morals, in patriotism. How different is this picture of the mid-40's from the present day in these facets of life?

4. Was this film an exercise in nostalgia, making the past seem happier and more positive than it really was?

5. How well did the film re-create its picture of the 40's? What techniques were used? How well? How did the film create its atmosphere?

6. The film was about Josh's growing up. Was he presented sympathetically? Would younger audiences readily identify with him? Why?

7. How well did the film show Josh's development as a teenager? How strong was his relationship with and admiration for his father? Which sequences illustrated this best? What was the relationship between Josh and his mother? What kind of woman was she? What was wrong with her? Why? What was her relationship with cousin Jim Bobs? What kind of man was he? How did Josh react to him? Why?

8. How important was the move to New Mexico for Josh? How well did he cope with it? How did he make friends? How close was he to his friends despite the ups and downs? Was the presentation of the town, school, the clashes and fights realistic? interesting?

9. What place in Josh's growth as a person did the fights, the clashes of personality and fear have?

10. How was the fight at La Cima a climax? How did it affect the lives of the boys and Marcia?

11. What happened to Josh's mother in Sogrodo? How did its isolation and loneliness contrast with Mobile and Alabama? Her relationship to Jim Bobs? reputation?

12. How important were the family Aaodeo with their attitude of service?

13. Was Josh's night with Marcia important or not? What value did it have in their lives or was it too casual for value?

14. What was the role of the artist in the film and his relationship to Josh's father?

15. How important was the news of Josh's father's death for the film, for Josh and his growth? How well did he cope - with himself his mother, Jim Bobs?

16. What was the significance of the resolution of the film with the sentiment and patriotism of the profiles? Was this a real resolution? How far did the film get?