Mercredi après-midi

Somehow, I came across the comments below on this film by accident, and became anxious to see something that has so powerfully endeared itself to those who have seen it.

I finally caught it, and as others have commented, it is indeed sweet (I was going to say "and sentimental," but I think it's too natural and honest to be called that). The actors, both children and adults, are superb. Some of the adult actors might be familiar to fans of British films and TV. For example, Roy Kinnear, who plays Melody's dad, might be recognized from appearances in "Help," and briefly but memorably, in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The kids are uniformly excellent. Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde give nice, natural and completely convincing performances, and Jack Wild exhibits the kind of charisma that helped make him a teenybopper idol way back when. I was glad to learn that he's still a working actor, and didn't crash and burn like so many who attained fame at such an early age, God bless him.

The conclusion of this film reminded me of the conclusion of a much more dark British film from 1968, namely "If..." An excellent film, but MUCH less benign that "Melody."

THE GOOD NEWS, for those who have expressed a strong desire to see this film again: There is a Hong Kong DVD of "Melody" which has been available from several foreign sellers on eBay recently. It has a beautiful video transfer (full frame, not letterboxed) with a sharp, clean image and good, well-balanced, stable color. It can be played in any region, and subtitles can be turned off for English-speaking viewers. Those who have seen the film before need no recommendation with regards to the film itself, but I'm very pleased to have the DVD.

What can I say? I love this film! I saw it when I was 8 and living in Argentina. I was later disappointed to find that it was hard to find in the US, but thanks to the wonders of the Internet I was able to find it and own it and noticed it has quite a following. It may not be for everyone, especially if you like action packed, fast paced films.

However, if you like a simple love story, good 'Bee Gees' and 'Crosby, Stills & Nash and Young' music, and a happy feeling, watch this

I first saw this film in the early '80s on WBBM-TV Channel 2 Chicago. They were showing it at 2 AM on a Saturday (insomnia). I was familiar with it because I remember the TV ads from '71, Mark Lester sets his dad's newspaper on fire. A friend of mine saw it at the time and said he loved it. What did he know? he was only 14, I was 10 at the time. Anyway when I finally saw it I had to agree. It was like a magical trip to childhood, or in most of our cases a trip back. Although the movie was shot an ocean away from me, I felt like I was reliving my own childhood; the pain of first love, the joy of finding friendship despite social barrier (Middle class vs. lower class), and the wonder of experiencing the world for the first time without your parents. And of course that wonderful soundtrack, when the Bee Gees sang good songs: "To love somebody" and the sadly forgotten "First of May", not Disco. Also, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's "Teach Your Children". WBBM used to show this movie about twice a year(They had a rather poor film library), usually at 2 in the morning. But then they got crazy with infomercials and the parent company, CBS, decide to have its own all night news program so 'Melody' virtually disappeared. Sadly I didn't tape the film when I had the chance. I thought I'd just buy a copy, WRONG! Hey! maybe we could get Redford to show it in his Sundance channel. How about it? you overage pretty boy.

Whenever I think about this movie, warm sensation of innocence and adolescent purity overwhelms me. I, like so many others, saw this movie when I was in my formative years (I was 13). What was remarkable was that I did not fully understand the dialogue in the movie since it was before I became conversant with English. Nonetheless, I do remember the music of BeeGees warmly decorating that feeling of love as it was felt for the first time in one's life. I remember the wonderful feeling of love, having absolutely no idea why it hurt and elated me to uncontrollable degree.

After the movie, I turned off the TV set and sat in the dark for a long time. Something must have happened inside me. I began seeing the world in a new light, as growing boys frequently would when they reach certain age. But for me, the transformation happened so suddenly and with such definitive starting point. To this day, I remember the night of the movie as the first day of my puberty.

I looked for another chance to revisit the night, but I couldn't find any copy for sale... (sigh~)

I loved the movie... I loved the way I was before innocence and longing spirit of a youth ebbed away. Seeing the movie again probably would not bring those back to me. But I sure want to try...

i was fortunate enough to play the part of peggy in this film, it was alan parkers first screenplay and david puttnams first film, i had previously worked with alan on several advertisments and continued to work with him after melody on a few more adverts, i count myself so very lucky to have appeared in alan and davids first big project, i am amazed that this film still has a big following 33 years later, my original vhs copy of melody broke many years ago, but i managed to track down a copy as well as a dvd, i had no idea it was readily available to buy in hongkong,japan, america and even argentina! since checking out the websites for melody/swalk i have been amazed by the wonderful emails sent to me from people all around the world, i would like to thank everybody who has taken time out to enter their comments and feelings etc and to wish everybody a very happy and healthy 2004 kay (nee skinner)