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38 reviews in total

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66 out of 69 people found the following review useful:
Symbolism and personal ties to this movie., 12 October 2003
Author: elizabeth-49 (elizabeth@madtheatre.com) from Tampa, Florida

Many of the comments written about this film do not even recognize the multitude of symbolic layers this movie encompasses. Of course it is clear that the killing of the buffalo and the killing of the human spirit of children is an apparent theme throughout the movie. One is symbolic of the other. We empathize with those who are shunned from society but who triumph against all odds to make a difference in this world. As the title song suggests "they have no choice, they have no voice". I find it especially interesting that this movie came out in 1971. Our country was enmeshed in a political upheaval from our involvement in the Viet Nam war. Well, children were sent to fight and kill whether they liked it or not. They had no choice, they had no voice. I was 5 years old when my brother, Alan, was sent to fight at Viet Nam. He would be there for a year and a half and return a completely different person. I believe Alan's spirit died in Viet Nam along with all the other "children". My other brother, however, would be, "Cotton", the starring role in the movie, "Bless the Beasts and Children". I was 7 when I saw the screening preview for the actors and others who worked on this film. I was so proud of Barry. The end made my mother and I cry every time. I knew it was just a movie (my mother assuring me "it's just ketchup, Elizabeth, not real blood")...but maybe, for me, it was a way to prepare. It was what was to become a reality for me. Only 15 years later, I would watch my brother die. The irony was that what surrounded his death was also that he was an "outcast", "different from others", "a societal reject" - similar to the character he played and the theme of Bless the Beasts. In 1986 Barry died from complications from the AIDS virus. It was pretty early on when people were diagnosed with this, so me and my mother told everyone it was cancer - fearful of their reaction at that time. But the true ending of the movie wasn't just that someone died. It is that he did what he believed in despite all odds. Even at seven I could see the triumph as the buffalo were set free. He did it! He accomplished his goal! And you know what? In my brother's life that ended too soon...he, too, accomplished his goal. He was an amazing actor and an amazing person who touched the lives of everyone who knew him.

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21 out of 23 people found the following review useful:
A seminal experience for a movie loving teenager, 23 February 2001

Author: Jon Sturgess from Melbourne, Australia

The recent passing of another of the 'great' directors prompted me to look back at Stanley Kramer's career. And that lead me to reflect upon my teenage experience of sitting in one of Melbourne's grand old picture houses one Saturday afternoon and viewing this movie for the first of what has now been many times.

Perhaps it was my age at the time, or my love of the outdoors, or my regular weekend hikes, or my love of animals... whatever it was, that 2 hours looking at the enormous screen was one I can recall with vivid clarity even 30 years on.

I remember how awesome the cinematography was it captured the beauty of the environment in those scenes where the misfit teenagers headed out across the plains to rescue the bison.

The music also evoked the essence of the outdoors for me. For many years after whenever I came up over a hill in the forest the Carpenters' music seemed to play in my head. It is just a shame that someone let the theme be [mis] appropriated to other less noble ends.

I have shown this movie to many teenage groups in the years since it opened. Although time has certainly moved on and much, especially the dress and manners has changed I have rarely found any teenager who has not been able to identify with the movie and the themes it seeks to explore.

Stanley Kramer made some wonderful, no some great movies. And while this may not rank as his greatest, for me it was and 'is' great as it allows this writer to revisit his teen years and relive a truly memorable period of his life.

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17 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
A diverse group of teenage boys struggling to find their identities, 11 March 2004
Author: Mike L. (navrm-1) from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

I saw this movie in our school auditorium, as a high school classroom requirement back in the 1980's. I remember the girls crying, while a few of my male classmates sat quietly; perhaps being able to quickly identify themselves to one or more of the characters. The movie may not have interpreted the true spirit of the book, but I do think Stanley Kramer did as best a job he could in evoking both the struggles of male adolescence and the cultural patterns of the American family in the 1970's. There were many sobering messages despite the redundant metaphors throughout the film. Now, I am more interested in the "Where Are They Now" aspect of the film when I recently came across this title. I've found very little information on any of the main characters, with the exception of Bill Mummy. Also was saddened to hear about the death of Barry Robins (Cotton) back in 1986.

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15 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
A minor classic..., 30 August 2005
Author: JimVines from Los Angeles, CA

I saw this film when it was released in 1971 (when I was eight) and it made quite an impression on me. Some really nice acting, great music, and an interesting (yet simple) story. It's amazing how it has stayed with me all these years. But meaningful films tend to do that. I was lucky enough to see this film again tonight. Though I viewed the film through 42 year-old eyes, it still had an impact. I was saddened to hear that Barry Robins (who played "Cotton") passed away in 1986. He was quite an amazing actor. (It's interesting to note that Robins, who played a 16 year-old, was 26 when the film was made!) He reminded me of Sal Mineo, another fine actor who left us far too soon. Anyway, I just wanted to comment on this fine little gem of a film. If you get a chance to rent it, I hope you will...and enjoy.

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16 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
Forgotten Masterwork from Stanley Kramer, 6 August 2002

Author: Enrique Sanchez from Miami, FL

Yes...a masterwork. I don't throw that term around carelessly. But it is so much more than what meets the eye.

I saw this at 15, alone, one Saturday afternoon in a dark movie theater and my life was transformed. This is a coming-of-age movie that more people should watch at that turning point of their lives.

I know it gave me the feeling for the first time, that I wasn't alone feeling geeky, weird, and a stranger to the world. We can probably all relate to at least one of the archetypes Kramer used to tell this story. And that's a good thing, because it made me feel for the first time, that I was OK..that I did belong...that we all had something to contribute.

But it's not just about teen angst, it's about finding a place, a reason and a purpose to live for and finding the strength to follow through in the face of all adversity.

Much praise should be extended to the acting which was natural and never seemed forced....and of course, the music.

The Botkin/de Vorzon score (which went on to famous and infamous heights as 'Nadia's theme' and then the theme to 'The Young and The Restless'). The score highlighted with the Carpenters and Billy Mumy's song in the forest.

Highly Recommended.

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14 out of 16 people found the following review useful:
A moving and grossly underrated movie, 23 February 2001

Author: markie-10 from Port Angeles, WA

Although often bypassed in the critics' reviews of Kramer's best movies, "Bless the Beasts and the Children" (1971) shows Kramer's compassion of the underdog and his dislike of injustice with great emotional impact. Kramer directed many outstanding films including such classics as "High Noon," "Inherit the Wind," "The Defiant Ones," and "Judgment at Nuremberg" to mention only a few, but I believe that "Bless the Beasts and the Children" deserves to be listed along with them.

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14 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
One of the best films ever made., 28 December 1999

Author: Jose Cisneros from Miami, Florida USA

Bless the beasts and the children is in a nutshell, a masterpiece. The movie cleverly develops each character brilliantly. Anyone who has ever felt like the odd man out can make an emotional connection to the plight of the characters. Director Stanley Kramer does of great job of showing the parity between the teenagers and the Buffalo. Its a movie about freedom, growing up, and most importantly, its about the beauty of innocence.

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12 out of 14 people found the following review useful:
I cried, 22 October 2003
Author: prolific64 from Phoenix, Arizona

I read the book when I was just 12 years old. I loved it. Then I saw the movie...and loved the movie just as much. This is NOT your standard coming-of-age movie. Anyone who claims otherwise is full of buffalo doo (!) because there is no comparison here. As for statements that troubled kids aren't tender-hearted when it comes to animals, again, buffalo chips! This movie is dead-on when it comes to adolescent worry and the way that young people (and older folks too) treat one another. Swarthout has it right.

I have just now re-read the book and am dying to see the movie again. It's been at least 15 years or more (probably closer to 20) so everything is fresh again. Ironically for me, I now live just down the road from Prescott and Jerome and Flagstaff. All those locations from the movie and from the book are right down the road.

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9 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Get "Bless the Beasts & Children" to DVD!!!, 25 May 2008

Author: ChuckeeO from United States

Like so many others, I saw this movie in school. I was in the 7th grade and a "dink" like the Bedwetters. I was also in the closet and wouldn't come out for another 20 years but I was already being called, "fairy" like Goodenow and the others in the Bedwetters' cabin. I connected so well with this movie when I saw it that it will ALWAYS be at the top of my favorites list.

Most favorites aren't usually the best that cinema has to offer but ones that strike a special chord in one's life. It helped that the Carpenters were my favorite music group at the time (still are) and "Lost in Space" had been my favorite TV show as a kid and now there was an older "Will Robinson" in this movie (doing a very good non-Will performance).

I have a very poor VHS copy of this movie recorded from a late-night TV showing back in the late 80's. I am holding on to that copy until (hopefully someday soon) the DVD version is released (and hopefully again) with lots of special features.

I am waiting to show my partner this movie on DVD because I want him to know more about who I was (and am) by seeing probably the most important movie of my adolescence.

Re: Actors' real ages. Who cares, adults have been playing teens in movies and TV since the beginning of cinema and still do. If they can pull it off, who cares.

LET'S PULL TOGETHER AS FANS TO GET THIS MOVIE FINALLY RELEASED ON DVD!

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10 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
Enjoyed a lot, but can see why it wasn't renowned., 13 May 2003
Author: CompuStrat from Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

The quality of this acting by these teenagers is award caliber. The story, direction, imagery, cinematography...etc...all wonderful. I especially enjoyed the fact that we were really made to understand the lives of these young men. Be warned that we see a great number of scenes with guys outdoors in their underwear. So many (scenes and boys) in fact...and some almost suggestive...that it's clear [to me] that it was spurned at the time for this risky cinematic approach to telling the story. However, while this 'can' be used to serve more prurient interests, this partial nudity comprehensively conveys the vulnerability of our characters. The contrasting symbolism between their world and the real world is very effectively conveyed. This movie follows these guys throughout their adventure and, by the end, you completely understand every aspect of each person's motivation. Then, the story itself, is poignantly told in a no-holds-barred manner and ending with gritty irony. As you watch the credits, the point will be clear that the movie echoes the true reality of life.

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