THE RECKONING
UK, 1970, 105 minutes, Colour.
Nicol Williamson, Rachel Roberts, Paul Rogers, Ann Bell, Zena Walker.
Directed by Jack Gold.
The Reckoning leaves a rather nasty taste in the mouth. The reason is that its hero, Michael Marlin, is one of those despicable' self-made men of big business who survive ruthlessly and destroy ruthlessly. Nevertheless, it is a well-made and absorbing film. The life and behaviour of its repellent hero are fascinating in their skill and tactics.
Nicol Williamson fits the part of Michael Marlin better than he did Tony Richardson's production of Hamlet. His commanding presence is a major asset to the film. We see Marlin as Michael in the skyscraper world of his London firm, the scene of his manipulations and his hollow marriage. We see him as Mick, the son of Irish parents in their world of the Liverpool slums and Catholicism. The conflict comes to a head towards the end of the film - power, wealth and egoism win.
There have been a number of films on the business world - the 1953 Executive Suite, the serious-comic, I'll Never Forget What's 'is Name. Elia Kazan's The Arrangement is another elaborate study of the men and the world of business. The Reckoning is fairly straightforward in its story and characterisation, and for its style, very well made.
1. Give your first impression of Michael Marlin. What was his relationship with his wife?
2. How did he fit into the London business world? Was he a brooding misfit or at home? Note his manoeuvres against his opponents. He is known as Michael.
3. Why did his secretary admire him?
4. What did his driving up the Ml reveal about him - daring, challenging life?
5. How did he fit into the Irish Catholic Liverpool setting? How did he contrast with his family? Why had he not seen them for five years?
6. Did he love his father? How moved was he by his father's death? Note his attempt to pray and inability to remember the prayers.
7. Why did he take up with the doctor's assistant? How did she help him? What was his reaction when he saw her with the pram?
8. Why did he want to investigate his father's death? What motivated him?
9. Comment on the different environments and personality types of London and Liverpool. With his family in Liverpool he was known as Mick.
10. How did he react to people trying to edge him out of his job? Did he have any moral code or ethics?
11. How did he use his secretary? Why did he turn against the second-in-charge? How did he manipulate the boss, showing how he could dispose of people and yet be indispensable?
12. What did his boorish behaviour at the party show of his character?
13. Why did his wife return to him?
14. What was the meaning of the final reckless drive and escape from the accident? Was he lucky, shrewd? Is the film cynically saying that only the shrewd and lucky, ruthless individualists achieve success and happiness?
