THE SYSTEM  1964 Directed by Michael Winner In English
 
This early 60s 'Mod-culture' film captures the vibe of the time, and follows the exploits of a gang of wolfish young men who hit on female summer tourists for cash and sex. But this is not a simple-minded adventure flick, because there are lessons to be learned in it. The lead wolf-role is Oliver Reed, and there is a smaller role by David Hemmings who later starred in Antonioni's Blow-up. Set in the coastal area of south Devon, it begins with the exploits of this gang, but then takes some unexpected twists and turns. For one, the film suddenly reframes the lads as working-class youths that have no real future, dominated by the upper-class rich and powerful.
 
The opening and closing song is a wild jangling guitar riff by The Searchers who kick off the main message. This is a rarely seen early work by Michael Winner, who would later go to America and make the notorious Death Wish with Charles Bronson. Here he is on more solid ground, and he said in his memoirs that making this film changed his life. Only in the end does the movie embrace the 60s ethos by questioning power structures. After all, if one person is rich it depends on another person being poor. The black and white cinematography is by the lucid Nicolas Roeg who would soon become a leading director in his own right.
 
This will be a high-definition screening.
 
Here is the lead actor Oliver Reed giving wonderful advice on acting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmnK0ty0RBE