Post by mikef6 on Mar 26, 2021 1:09:08 GMT
My not-so-humble opinion:
Directed and starring Ray Milland. Even though I saw this years ago, not long after it came out, and there are still moments that are seared into my memory. It was clearly made with little to no budget, but Milland manages some indelible images with almost no resources. Milland is on vacation in the mountains with his all-American family, wife (Jean Hagan), teenage son (Frankie Avalon) and daughter (Mary Mitchel) when nuclear war begins. With no law and order to fall back on, Milland turns from warm family man into ruthless survivalist. “My family must live,” he declares. Hagan argues for restraint and a more civilized approach to the situation. For Frankie Avalon, it is easily his best and most natural performance, with very little of his “Gee whiz,” exaggerated teenager vocal mannerism. He has one really good scene when, as he rides shotgun (literally) for his father, he begins to like the power that wielding a big gun gives him. This is a “problem” picture that does not fully favor any of the points of view or actions, but leaves the viewer to decide and debate.
Directed and starring Ray Milland. Even though I saw this years ago, not long after it came out, and there are still moments that are seared into my memory. It was clearly made with little to no budget, but Milland manages some indelible images with almost no resources. Milland is on vacation in the mountains with his all-American family, wife (Jean Hagan), teenage son (Frankie Avalon) and daughter (Mary Mitchel) when nuclear war begins. With no law and order to fall back on, Milland turns from warm family man into ruthless survivalist. “My family must live,” he declares. Hagan argues for restraint and a more civilized approach to the situation. For Frankie Avalon, it is easily his best and most natural performance, with very little of his “Gee whiz,” exaggerated teenager vocal mannerism. He has one really good scene when, as he rides shotgun (literally) for his father, he begins to like the power that wielding a big gun gives him. This is a “problem” picture that does not fully favor any of the points of view or actions, but leaves the viewer to decide and debate.