THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER

UK, 1982, 98 minutes, Colour.
Alan Bates, Glenda Jackson, Ann Margret, Julie Christie, Jeremy Kemp, Ian Holm, Frank Finlay.
Directed by Alan Bridges.

The Return of the Soldier is based on a novel by Rebecca West. it was directed by Alan Bridges who has an interest in this early 20th. century period with films like The Hireling and The Shooting Party.

The film focuses on three women in the life of a British soldier (Alan Bates) who loses his memory in the experience of warfare in France. The women are very good: Julie Christie as the selfish socialite wife, Ann-Margret? as the plain and self-effacing cousin, Glenda Jackson as the working-class woman who holds a strong place in the memory of the soldier. There is an excellent supporting cast including Ian Holm and Frank Finlay. There is a fine recreation of the period - and it is interesting to watch the character study and see the film as a symbol of transition in British society.

1. A film of its period? The work of Rebecca West, her novels? Transition to the screen?

2. The re-creation of the period of the First World War. British society, elegance, wealth? The contrast with the working classes, the town, the homes? The interaction between the two classes? The experience of involvement in the war? The emerging of a new world? The style of the 20th. century?

3. The film as a British memoir, a memoir of society? Characters symbolising change? The theme of memory, amnesia? The attention to detail, costumes, social entertainment? The details of the housing estate homes? The musical score?

4. The focus on Chris, the title of the film? Alan Bates' presence as the soldier? His war service and experience? The amnesia and its results? His hospitalisation? Care and concern? The revelation of the quality of his marriage, the death of the child? His closing his memory of the marriage off? Jenny and her tenderness? The wanting to see Margaret? His living in a make-believe past? Delighting in the memories? The visualising of these? The visit of the psychologist, his sessions? Hope for therapy? His fellow soldiers and their discretion, attempts to help? Friends and family? His being lost in his make-believe world, the interactions with Margaret? Margaret's decision to tell the truth - the women looking out of the window and the soldier turning to face them? A symbol of Britain's past, the experience of the First World War and change?

5. Kitty and Julie Christie's style, presence? Society, spoilt, wrapped in herself? Her disdainful treatment of Jenny? Of animals, of servants? Her reaction to Chris' return? suspicious? Thinking he was feigning amnesia? Her inability to cope? Her being contemptuous of Margaret. despising her clothes and manner? The clashes with her, with Jenny? Her being hurt, sulking? The question of her love for Chris or not?

6. Jenny as devoted cousin? Ann-Margret? and her presence, playing against type, her plainness. tenderness? The importance of her visualised nightmares, dramatising the war? Her own involvement? Her memories of Chris? Her devotedness in the family. the contrast with Kitty? Her running the household? Kitty and her whims? Jenny as a victim? Her decision to go to see Margaret Grey? Persuading her to come? Supporting her? Supporting her against Kitty? Her anxiety about Chris, the decision to tell him the truth, watching through the window?

7. Margaret Grey and Glenda Jackson's style and presence, manner of speaking, bearing, clothes? Dowdy town housewife? Her home, the cooking? Her relationship with William? His pottering in the garden, working? Their neighbours? Jenny's visit, the car? Telling the story? Her husband giving his assent for her to go? Her going to see Chris, his living in the past, sharing the past romance, her compassion? Being spurned by Kitty? The question of Chris in his make-believe world? Her dilemma, the experience of the loss of a child? The telling of the truth?

8. William as a good man, his love for his wife, his understanding and his not understanding her relationship with Chris?

9. The psychologist and his visits, his talking with Chris, his attempts to probe Chris' psyche, stir the memory?

10. The war veterans, the hospital and the patients, suffering, the effects of war?

11. The glimpse of English society, soirees and gatherings, meals, their concerns, manners? The contrast with the servants? The people in the town? The background of upstairs downstairs?

12. The film working on a realistic level? Symbolic level? Characters, war and peace, society and class distinctions, an emerging world?