NCJ Number
19588
Date Published
1973
Length
0 pages
Annotation
PRODUCED FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE TARGET GROUP, THIS FILM CONCERNS FOUR YOUNG BOYS WHO, UPON RETURNING TO THEIR CLUBHOUSE AFTER BREAKING WINDOWS AT A SCHOOL, FIND IT HAD BEEN VANDALIZED IN THEIR ABSENCE.
Abstract
THE FILM OPENS, SHOWING THE BOYS DECIDING WHAT TO DO FOR THE DAY. WHEN A ROCK THROWN FROM OUTSIDE STRIKES THEIR CLUBHOUSE AND INTERRUPTS THEIR BOREDOM, THEY PASS IT OFF AS MISCHIEF BY SOME OTHER CHILDREN. THEY CONTINUE TO PONDER WHAT THEY'LL DO TODAY, FINALLY DECIDING TO GO TO A LOCAL SCHOOL. ONCE THERE, THE YOUNGEST OF THE BOYS YIELDS TO PEER GROUP PRESSURE AND THROWS A ROCK THROUGH A CLASSROOM WINDOW. GROUP CONTAGION SOON HAS ALL THE BOYS BREAKING WINDOWS, UNMINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT INSIDE THE CLASSROOM ARE FOUR BABY CHICKS AND A HAMSTER, THEIR CAGES NEAR THE SHATTERING GLASS. IRONICALLY, WHEN A POLICE CAR ARRIVES ONLY THE BOY WHO THREW THE FIRST ROCK IS CAUGHT. THE OTHER THREE RUN BACK TO THEIR CLUBHOUSE, WHERE THEY ARE SHOCKED THAT IT, TOO, HAS BEEN VANDALIZED. THE IMPACT OF THE FILM IS HEIGHTENED BY THE NON-VERBAL RESPONSE OF THE BOYS WHEN THEY DISCOVER THEIR RUINED CLUBHOUSE. UTTER DEJECTION AND SELF-REALIZATION ARE SHOWN VIVIDLY IN THEIR EXPRESSIONS. A STUDY GUIDE IS INCLUDED WITH THE FILM. (SNI ABSTRACT)