La Fraternité ou la mort

I saw this only once -- when it came out when I was ten years old. And I've never forgotten it. To this day I think this is probably the best made-for-TV movie ever.

Being so young when I saw it I'm sure I missed some subtleties, but nevertheless I knew something really wrong and conspiratorial was going on -- it was my first major fictional encounter with overwhelming paranoia and gross injustice, and it has stayed with me my entire life. It may even have been a factor in shaping my detestation of unjustified authority and power elites. I felt such profound, empathetic outrage at what was happening to Glenn Ford...I remember being transfixed the whole time, my blood percolating with anger and worry.

The acting (Glenn Ford was remarkable -- thoroughly convincing), the mood, the story, the crushing anxiety all still resonate within me more than thirty years later.

This is a movie that should see the light of day again -- it really ought to be available on DVD. [10/10]

I saw this in 1970 when it was on TV and it was the beginning of a long fascination with movies of this ilk. The Brotherhood of the Bell paved the way for follow-up films like "The Star Chamber" and "Skulls". I've always wondered if there wasn't some hidden group that has this kind of control, but I know that I've never been recruited (darn it). Personally, I think Glenn Ford should have just carried out his task and put it behind him - but then I guess if he had done that there wouldn't have been a movie. The fact that this theme has appeared in several films convinces me that there must be a "brotherhood" that runs government and finance. But then I've always felt that there are secrets lurking away from the public at Area 51 too.

Glen Ford is a successful professor -- an elite member of society. Little does he know that his membership in a fraternity known as the "Brotherhood of the Bell" guaranteed him much of his success. It has been over 30 years since I saw this movie on TV and I still remember William Conrad (Bart) and his ding-a-ling bell. What a pathetic excuse for a human being. Glen Ford's troubled character is also memorable, but this movie is not even listed in his credits. What a "sleeper". I hope I can find a copy.

I thought I was the only person who ever saw this film. I've been asking people for years about it and no one I asked had ever heard of it. The recent film 'The Skulls' made me renew my search for some evidence of its existence. At last! It has been a long time since I've seen it but I remember it really blew me away when I did. It was so believable it was spookey. I wish it could be revived on tape or something. What happens to great old TV movies?? If you ever see it listed on late nite TV / STAY UP and WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!

Brotherhood of the Bell, unlike it's progeny The Skulls (1-3 at present), deals with issues of conscience confronting moral adults. Mr. Ford's membership in a secret society (patterned after Yale's Skull and Bones society) forces him into very difficult life choices. I can only imagine these are similar to those facing actual members of this secret elite organization. This film courageously and sensitively throws a light on what it means to follow truth. Both President Bush the First and Second and Mr. John Kerry, are actual members of the Yale secret fraternity. During this last election both were asked (separately at different times and locations) to explain about this group. Both replied from the same script (paraphrasing) "I can't, it's secret!". Video tape available showing this from infowars.com. Isn't this a conflict of interest? An original draft of the 13th Amendment to our US Constitution would have prohibited office seekers from membership in secret organizations. But the strength of Yale College (as it was then called) and the elite "Bonesmen" could never have allowed such a law. Could this also explain why this film, which boldly exposes conspiracy and corrupt loyalties, is never shown on movie channels and rarely if ever found in a video rental store? Buy the video wherever you can find it (the internet has sites where you can find it), watch it and show it to friends. Spread the message. Remember, all that is needed for evil to win is for good men (and women) to do nothing.