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Scene: The Crusaders

This films helps show that the swinging 60's was not always swinging with happiness. The main protagonist Mick Travis shows how not everyone is enjoying what the 60's were like and how some people wanted change. This helps express the change and conflict that was happening throughout the swinging Britain era. This film is about the middle class lifestyle and shows what the next leaders may be like. The film was worrying in the 60's by the establishment as it seemed so real that something like this could happen without change.

Great Britain

When first looking at the ending scene we are presented by the united kingdom flag, this helps to give an indication on what it was like in Britain as they have official connected it to the UK. The flag also represents respect, loyalty and confidence. Knowing that a flag is risen high in the ending scene helps to show that Britain is important. Due to the flag being half risen it can also express that something daunting is about to happen or that something is going to happen that we won't forget. This is because flags are usually risen when something important is about to take place. This also then foreshadows that Mick Travis and his group are about to do something unforgettable.

Red - Danger

We are then presented by colours that help to create a certain atmosphere when watching. An example of this is when we are seeing a lot of the colour red in the beginning of the scene and shows danger is coming closer. This again foreshadows that something dangerous is about to happen. Due to us seeing the back of the characters it all helps make the red be the first thing we notice. Another reason that should be looked at is the conflict between the upper class and the lower class. This image alone helps to express ignorance with those that are upper class believing they are better than one another. These people are also older and helps to represent the conflict between the young and old in the swinging 60's.

Kissing the hand of power

We then see a character dressed in red being kissed on the hand and helps to show that the danger is forward with dominance and overpowering the headmaster. This shows that one of two things, one being something bad is about to happen to the headmaster and two being that the conflict is becoming dramatic and that whatever conflict is about to happen that they might win.


Although it is seen that women are not honoured in this film, we have a moment when the smoke is seen as they shout 'women first' this helps express that women may actually be important. It is then questioned why this would be the ending scene and an answer can show that this where it shows how much women are important. Women are strong and especially in the swinging 60's women finally realised they could provide for themselves without needing a male figure to work for the family.

Vulnerable looking down

• This scene shows the upper class fighting against the lower class
• Older people vs young people
• very frantic scene 
• royal family and important people in this scene not showing a good image about them
• camera shots help show dominance with the students 
• low angle shots then showing that the powerful people are weak and vulnerable

Alfie

Mick

When comparing the main protagonist Alfie, in Alfie (previously spoken about) and the main protagonist of IF Mick, we notice that they are both anti-hero's. Alfie is dangerous to families, love and morals. Whereas Mick is seen as a danger to mostly everything. Both characters showing conflict and change.


It is suggested that Mick feels like he is missing out on the swinging 60's, this is because the film location is not in the typical London setting and so it seems that he is missing out on the party lifestyle. It is also expressed this way when Mick leaves the school and goes to the cafe and cannot express his feelings properly with the girl. This type of film starts to worry the establishment as at the time, there were Paris riots and the Vietnam war was going on.

Although Mick is seen as middle class, it is suggested that due to this he didn't have many choices on where he could study. The college chosen for Mick is very strict, with cold showers and not so nice food. This would give reason for outrage for Mick. Mick goes through discipline and this also gives reason to why he would go against society.

No average women?

With Mick's gang shooting everyone (powerful)

Gender: Women are not seen with respect, one of the main female characters doesn't even have a name. But in this scene she is seen with a gun and helps express power and dominance. Although the female does not have a name, she has the last action in the film so contradicts not given her a name as she is still important. But it can also be said, due to the film being in Mick's perspective, it shows why the female does not have a name. This is because he is in a boys school, with homosexual gestures and not aware of girls and the outside the boys education. This film at times can be seen as pessimistic against women. Another example of this shows is when the nurse is walking around naked, baring all insecurities. This shows that a women who has an official job, is stripped back and made to look vulnerable. Another example of women being out of the ordinary in this film is when an elderly women is seen with a gun shooting, while saying "bastards, bastards". This isn't typical for a women and especially this age. Therefore indicating that women are becoming part of the change and conflict in the swinging 60's.

Does he understand?

Why was he chosen?

Last shot - With the most impact

When noticing the headmaster is chosen to be shot, it seen as to be because he is the one with most power and in control of schooling rules. Showing strong discipline, rituals and abuse. Due to the headmaster agreeing with this life and is therefore the antagonist towards Mick Travis. The headmaster is going against all that Mick Travis agrees with and is reasons why Mick is unhappy. This shows reasons why the headmaster would then take the shot. It can also be said with Alfie that Ruby was his change and conflict. This is seen due to Ruby being the first person to act like an antagonist and make Alfie more intimidated in a way.

However is this scene realistic? Just like when the vicar is seemed to be killed but is actually alive, it all seems surreal. So do we know if this scene is real? It isn't a usual way to go against society but instead of Mick's head, it probably did happen. Nick wants to cause change and conflict.

This film has much tension throughout, with sexual reference and homoerotic undertones. This film was made at the end of the decade of swinging Britain, before this it was kitchen sink films.

The film:




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