movies_creation

American Movie Archives (美國電影檔案)

Title
Right or Wrong? (Making Moral Decisions)
Year
1951
Abstract
Assessing the behavior of a juvenile delinquent who refuses to rat on his companions.
Notes
Produced: Coronet Instructional Films
Sponsor: N/A
Run Time: 10:11
Audio/Visual: Sd, C
Keyword
Juvenile delinquency
Theme
The boy wont talk... I'll force him to talk!
Review
Harry is with some other boys who throw rocks and break warehouse windows. Although he didn't throw any rocks, the night watchman recognizes him. A series of decisions by the watchman, the policeman, Harry's mother, the warehouse owner, and a family friend lead to Harry's apparent agonizing over whether to rat on his friends or not. From the start, the film says it will not judge what is right or wrong, but all we get is an adult viewpoint: we hear the inner dialog of the adults, but nothing of Harry's or his friends thoughts. We are only allowed to view and make assumptions from the acting of the boy playing Harry. Still, it is better acting and subject matter than most 1950's social guidance films.
(Reviewer: Steve Nordby)
Location
A/V room, 2/F