1969 (film)

1969 is a 1988 drama film written and directed by Ernest Thompson and starring Robert Downey Jr., Kiefer Sutherland, and Winona Ryder. The original music score is composed by Michael Small. The film deals with the Vietnam War and the resulting social tensions between those who support and oppose the war in small-town America.

1969
Theatrical release poster
Directed byErnest Thompson
Produced byBill Badalato
Daniel Grodnik
Written byErnest Thompson
Starring
Music byMichael Small
CinematographyJules Brenner
Edited byWilliam M. Anderson
Distributed byAtlantic Releasing
Release date
  • November 18, 1988 (1988-11-18)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$37 million
Box office$5,979,011[1]

Plot

The boys, Ralph and Scott, hitchhike home from college, arriving on Easter morning and shout their greetings across the glen to their family during a lakeside Easter Sunrise service, much to the amusement of Ralph's younger sister, Beth, and mother, Ev, and embarrassment of Scott's mother, Jessie, and father, Cliff. Later that day, they drive Scott's older brother, Alden, who's shipping off to Vietnam, to the bus depot; Alden pushes Scott when Scott says that his Marine brother is afraid to go to Vietnam. They begin fighting until their father arrives wondering what is going on.

A few weeks later, Scott and Ralph again return home from college to attend Beth's high school graduation, where they learn that Alden has disappeared and is considered Missing in Action. Scott learns that Ralph has flunked out of college (thus making him eligible to be drafted). Ralph and Scott hatch a plan to steal their files from the local draft board office, but they are caught, and Ralph is arrested.

Scott is now determined to avoid Ralph's fate and plans to leave town and head to Canada to avoid the draft. Scott invites Beth to travel in his van on his trip out of town and to stay away until the end of the war. They admit their attraction to each other. Later, the two decide to visit Ralph in jail to tell him that they are leaving.

Scott and Beth get to the Canada–US border and are about to cross but have a change of heart and head back to Maryland. When they get home, they learn of Alden's death. Scott leads a huge march downtown in the midst of Alden's funeral, where Ralph is released from jail and the two friends are reunited.

Cast

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 55% based on reviews from 11 critics.[2]

Rita Kempley of The Washington Post wrote, "[The film] 1969, the directorial debut of Ernest Thompson, is an aimless drama, its purpose and promise lost in a thicket of false endings and a fog of nostalgia".[3] Janet Maslin of The New York Times described how "Mr. Dern, unusually laconic here, is unexpectedly moving as the character who seems most confused by changing times.[4] Variety said, "Affecting memories and good intentions don't always add up to good screen stories, and such is the case in 1969, one of the murkiest reflections on the Vietnam War era yet, notwithstanding good performances all around and bright packaging of Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr. in the leads."[5]

Box office

The film was a box office bomb, grossing $5,979,011 [1] against a $37 million budget.

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack consists of original period rock. However, it also includes a notable re-recording of The Youngbloods' classic hit "Get Together", performed as a solo by Youngbloods lead singer, Jesse Colin Young.

References
  1. "1969 (1988)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  2. "1969 (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  3. "'1969' (R)". Washingtonpost.com. 1988-11-18. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  4. Maslin, Janet (1988-11-18). "Review/Film; 2 Families Seek Peace With Honor, in '1969'". The New York Times.
  5. Variety Staff (1987-12-31). "Variety Reviews - 1969 - Film Reviews". Variety.com. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
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