Straw Dogs

Tuesday, April 26, 2.15p.m.

Director: Sam Pekinpah.

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Susan George.

"Heaven and earth are ruthless and treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs: the Sage is ruthless and treats the people as straw dogs." — Lao Tzu.

A mathematician/writer and his wife attempt to live a peaceful and quiet life just outside a small country village miles from no-where. But they get mixed up with the violent affairs of the little town and as a result Hoffman ends up defending his cottage almost single-handedly against a bunch of the most ruthless wild men seen on the screen.

"I can think of no other film which screws up into so tight a knot of terror that one begins to feel — like standing in a church listening to the throbbing bass notes of an organ rock the very foundations — that civilisation is crumbling before one' eyes." — (Sight and Sound.)

If sheer technical skill was all that was required in a film then this one would certainly be one of the best. That is not to say, however, that there is little more to it than pure spectacle. In fact it is a serious film of considerable social value.

American Graffiti.

Thursday, April 28, 5p.m.

In 1973 the NY Times described this film as the most important American movie made since "Bonnie and Clyde." George Lucas' film is set in 1962 and the action revolves around youths who still follow the fifties heroes like James Dean and drive the fifties cars. It is not meant to be a naturalistic record of events but an action pecked and humorous fantasy.

The film is basically about group pressure, the cruelty of adolescence and a recreation of those old fifties feelings.

A Man Called Horse;

Wednesday April 27, 2.15p.m.

The Man is an English Lord captured by the Sioux Indians, and who becomes a warrior then a great white chief. He goes through all the initiations and proofs of his manhood, the rituals and tortures. The film is an absurd yet interesting, and entertaining look at the old Indian life.

Director: Elliot Silverstein.