The People

Well, darn... another movie that got completely ruined for me simply because I unsuspectingly read a plot synopsis somewhere. "The People" is about a young teacher who moves to a remote and secluded community (more remote or more secluded than this really isn't possible), but rapidly discovers there's something peculiar about this community. They have strange but very strict rules, and even stranger powers.

See, that is where any plot description for the film should stop, but the one I read - and almost every description/review since - also blatantly reveals the explanation of why the people in this little town are so strange. And you are not supposed to know that! It's called a plot twist!! When will websites learn?

Anyways, even with the climax ruined, "The People" remains an enjoyable made-for-television drama/thriller from the glorious early 70s. It isn't nearly as good or memorable as several other TV-thrillers from that era, but it features the same uncanny atmosphere, gritty setting, and enigmatic performances (notably from Dan Herlihy). William Shatner seems a bit disorientated as the hunky and charismatic doctor in a town where nobody cares about appearances, and lead actress Kim Darby has trouble carrying the film.

"The People" is based entirely on one of Zenna Henderson's short stories, "Pottage", which appeared in the brilliant book "Pilgrimage: The Book of the People" back in the '60s. "Pottage" is the darkest of the stories, centering on a group of people living in fear and isolation in the tiny town of Bendo, and the teacher, Melodye, who learns the truth of their origins and the secrets they keep.

In the book you've already read about The People in two other stories so you have a good idea what's coming. In the movie this should have been a major bit of suspense... but it wasn't. The written story is far more compelling than what appears on screen. Kim Darby plays Melodye with warmth, but the frustration, determination, and courage in the story is somehow muted in her performance. William Shatner plays Dr. Curtis, who has a somewhat expanded role in the movie version. Dan O'Herlihy's performance as the stern Sol Deimus is the best translation of the character to the screen.

"The People" is entertaining if woodenly acted at times. If you find a copy and have an evening to kill it is probably worth your time, but by all means read the book.

This movie is nothing if not sincere. It takes you on a bit of an emotional journey. First you want the heroine to get out of there and give these goof balls up. Then as she understands them a little better-you do too. A totally unexpected response. One can see the slow transformation of these kids and you begin to like them and root for the teacher. I watched this movie for the first time yesterday and I liked this movie, though I had never even heard of it before. Miss Darby has that simple charm and shy beauty that is rare for any one in Hollywood.

Eager young schoolteacher, anxious for some peace and quiet in her life, accepts a teaching position in a mountain community with shuffling children who aren't allowed to sing, play music or have any fun; she seeks solace from the local doctor, who is the only resident with any personality. From Zenna Henderson's compilation of stories, this TV-movie, executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola, has an interesting main character (played well by Kim Darby) and scenario, but its explanation of the mystery is a little ritzy and complicated. Director John Korty sets a deliberately slow pace, with individual sequences edited to make a big impact. This works for awhile--aided by Darby's performance--until the plot loses momentum in the second-half. A tasty suggestion of what might have been, had Coppola aimed for a theatrical release with a bigger budget and a brighter script.

Despite the fact it is often set in some remote setting, temporal or spatial, science fiction reflects the sensibilities of its own timeframe more than any other genre. This science fiction TV movie evokes a strong memory from my youth that is as much semi-personal cultural artifact as it is broadcast entertainment.

In the early 1970's, there were a number of us, adults and children, who lived "apart" from the everyday society: rural, rustic, spiritual seekers, community-minded, experimental and questioning. We looked to the past to create the future. Many of us ended up in Marin County, in the northern section of the San Francisco Bay Area.

It is never really possible to perfectly signal the everyday mood of a cultural zeitgeist, though all movies attempt to, in varying degrees of success and intentionality. "The People," while to some a modest and moderately successful literary adaptation, is, to me, a stunning capture of the "mood" of Bolinas, California, 1971. The social remove of the "people" acted as an allegory for our cultural dissatisfaction.

Step backwards. While a lot of people in this time/place avoided television (though not my family), the broadcast of this movie generated a great deal of excitement for at least three main reasons.

At the top of reasons were the crew involved. The director, John Korty, was local to the area (though I forget exactly from where...) Also, of great interest was in the scene in which the schoolchildrens' story was told. Arthur Okamura was a Bolinas artist who did the illustrative paintings. (He also happened to be my father's best friend at the time.) Of course, for Northern California grounding, there is the ubiquitous Coppola involvement.

Another reason for the interest were the filming locations in Northern California. This was before every other movie was made in an over-speculated and glamorized-to-death San Francisco.

The final reason is the message of the film, most importantly the final scene in which the group is able to act as a single healing force. This manages to fairly sum up the collective dream of our little alternative society.

Is it a good movie? I actually can't say.

Then what can be said about this movie? Mostly is quite amazing that such a pristine cultural document exists in the form of a network movie of the week from its own era. Thousands of portrayals of "hippies" exist from the time, this is one of the few that is the real deal. It feels like an subversive art film that managed to get commercial sponsors.

That's pretty, uh, cool...