The Last Survivors

I have only seen this made for TV movie once, yet it has stayed with me all these years. I had forgotten it's name, yet went on a search to find it many years later because of it's powerful theme. I have seen the movie it was adapted from, and this takes the story from the survival on the lifeboat to the courtroom where Martin Sheen's character is held to account for his actions. Just as with the different Mutiny on the Bounty movies, I am intrigued by the story beyond the tragic events, and how it is perceived by those present and not present at the time.

The actions taken by Sheen can be viewed from different lenses depending on ones gender, politics, and morals. He can be cast a hero by some, a villain by others and this movie brings that dynamic to the screen in a very powerful way. Besides wanting to see it again and securing a copy of it, I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in the aforementioned themes.

Adrift in an open lifeboat with too many passengers, a hurricane approaches. With the death of the captain, command (along with a symbolic pistol) falls to the Chief Steward. When the boat stops to pick up a ship's officer, the officer, seeing how overcrowded the lifeboat is, elects to swim away. As he swims away, he prophetically shouts: "You can't save us all!"

How the Chief Steward alone makes life and death decisions that result in the survival of the boat and its remaining passengers is the main theme of the story. Without his merciless goading, all would have been lost. Safe on dry land, the survivors turn on their savior in a court case. He ends up being convicted and going to prison.

Throughout the hurricane, he constantly exhorts the others to "Row!" and to "Bail!" Undoubtedly, his grim leadership carried the day.

What's a man supposed to when he is given an impossible choice of deciding who lives and who dies? And, just as equally important, how is that man to be judged by his fellow man? Is he justified in his actions or is he a murderer? These are the questions that we are asked in 1975's "The Last Survivors". This seldom seen "Movie of the Week" wastes no time in getting started in the first scene where a passenger cruise ship gets caught in a vicious storm and sinks with just a few survivors and crew being crammed into a single lifeboat. Among them is a young ship's officer named Alexander Holmes (played by a very young Martin Sheen) who is immediately given command by the ship's dying captain. Holmes begs the captain not to give him that responsibility (you can see the fear in Sheen's eyes) but alas, Holmes is the senior man and all rests on his shoulders. Right from the gecko, we the audience know that not everyone is going to be saved; there's just too many people! This becomes even more apparent when our characters are trapped in another storm and from there, well, it's all about doing the ugly business of playing God, deciding as one crew member put it, how, when and who and Holmes inspires hate and malice in all of us for what he is does.

Eventually, help arrives but its only the beginning for Holmes as he is put on trial for manslaughter. This is where a remarkable thing happens; rather than hating Holmes, we begin to pity him and see him as a human being who was put in an impossible situation. Our pity for him only grows when it becomes apparent through flashbacks that none of the survivors who were in the boat were without sin themselves. This is truly a remarkable film for the well done effects, solid direction, and good writing. But above all, its the powerful acting that drives this movie, particularly from Sheen but also Tom Bosley (who has an uncanny habit of turning up in these little TV productions), Diane Baker, Anne Francis, Bruce Davison, Christopher George, and a whole lot of others, some known, some unknown. This is a story that has a foundation of truth, for it comes from a real life case that occurred in 1841, US vs. Holmes Federal Case Vol. 26 where much of what I just describe pretty much transpired, albeit 100 or more years ago. If you get a chance, check this out on you tube. The only bad thing that I can find about this movie is that its been left to rot in some Hollywood basement and it deserves a whole lot better than that. 10 out out 10.

This 70's TV melodrama lacks the subtle dramatic points of the Tyrone Power version. Much of the film consists of Martin Sheen shouting at the passengers as they go through hysterical fits. The film also sees fit to try and "develop" the characters more than the Power version, with short 30 second back stories provided by each during a calmer scene.

The film is more remarkable for the acting talent that would go on to bigger things in Hollywood. Ironically, Happy Days' Tom Bosley was likely the most recognizable face in this ensemble upon the film's first airing in 1975, 4 years before Apocalypse Now would rocket Martin Sheen to fame, and two years before child star Leif Garrett's singing career would take off. Other notable appearances include a very young Bruce Davison, later Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor; Diane Baker, character actress known for her role as Sen. Ruth Martin in Silence of the Lambs; and Philip Baker Hall, esteemed character actor later in life.

While this version includes courtroom scenes, they add very little to the story, which, while based on the actual court case US v. Holmes, occurred in 1842. As a "where are they now" type curiosity, this film is of some interest, but you'll soon tire of the bad dialog and cardboard characters. Do yourself a favor and stick with the Power version.

An approximate statement on society and the scarcity of heroes. Everyone is up for making sacrifices for survival until they draw the short straw or share blame.

A companion piece for *The Lottery (1969) to be shown to promote veganism.

*An adaptation of Shirley Jackson's short story of the same name, "The Lottery" tells the story of a shocking annual tradition in a small village.