LORD OF THE FLIES
UK, 1963, 92 minutes, Black and white.
James Aubrey, Tom Chapin.
Directed by Peter Brook.
Lord of the Files is the film version of William Golding's novel, filmed by Peter Brook of the Royal Shakespeare Company, whose films include screen versions of Weiss's Marat/Sade and King Lear with Paul Scofield. Using unknown boy actors on location in the West Indies, Brook has made a satisfying film version of the novel, although he has been criticised for various infidelities. However, much of the criticism is based on a viewing of the film as if it were a novel. It is difficult to communicate what is going on inside Simon's head without words, but we should look at the boy's face in the context of the film and the character he has built up to see if something of Simon's mystic fear and insight comes across. On the other hand, the boys who play Ralph, Jack and Piggy, seem perfect embodiments of the characters.
Brook has added cinema touches in the use of stills of nuclear war during the credits and an imaginative musical score throughout the film. Lord of the Flies raises enormous Issues of humanity, sin, evil, Instinct, authority, law, order, conscience. It is very much worth reflecting on.
1. Were the stills of atomic warfare effective in creating the mood of the film as well as in getting enough information across to the audience so that the film could begin on the island?
2. Comment on the use of music throughout the film, the various themes associated with different characters, e.g. the medieval fanfare music of the 'Kyrie Eleison' of the choirboys.
3. Was Ralph the hero of the film? What qualities of leadership did he display?
4. What role does Piggy play - adviser, intellectual, butt, victim, comic relief? Comment on each of them.
5. The boys were only twelve and younger. William Golding has said that he made the boys this age so that they were motivated by the most basic human instincts. What were these instincts and how were they manifested?
6. Jack - was he a villain or not? Why? What was wrong with Jack?
7. What role did Simon play? What experiences different from the others did he have? What insights did he get? Did the boy who played the part convey this well by his facial expression?
8. Why did the boys need the conch? What happened when they took no notice of who held it? Are law, order and authority necessary in every group?
9. How did the fire show who was responsible and who was irresponsible?
10. What was the effect of the exhilaration of hunting and the pig's blood?
11. What was the beast? Why did they make it an offering? What does this show about owe human nature?
12. Simon said that the beast might only be themselves. How right was he? How much was it a projection of their own superstitions and fears?
13. Lord of the Flies translates Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. What light does this throw on the film?
14. How did Simon's death come about? Were the boys guilty?
15. What was the symbolism of Jack's hunters painting themselves?
16. Why was Piggy killed?
17. Why was Ralph hunted for his life? (Sam and Eric warned him but were powerless to do more.)
18. What was the effect of the ending? What did Ralph think? What did Jack think?
19. How different was the world they had created on the island from the world they were to return to, involved as it was in nuclear war?
20. Many see Lord of the Flies as an illustration of Original Sin. What do you think?
22. If you have read the novel, discuss how the film differs from the book and whether you think this was a good cinema version of the book, embodying and communicating the mood and message of the book.
