Review of Melody (1971) by Stuart K — 30 Oct 2014

A sweet and innocent British film from director Waris Hussein, producer David Puttnam and written by Alan Parker. It's about two young lovers Daniel (Mark Lester) and the titular Melody (Tracy Hyde), who fall for each other over their first year at Secondary School, and declare to their parents, friends and teachers that they want to get married, to much dissuassion and ridicule.

Daniel's rogueish friend Ornshaw (Jack Wild), is at first scornful of Daniel spending so much time with Melody, but eventually, he and the rest of their classmates decide to come together and help them go ahead with their plans to get married!! You'd probabily never get away with a film like this now, and it does take a while for it to actually get going, but the lead performances in the film, (all by kids, whilst the grown-ups take the supporting roles), are near-perfect, Lester and Wild reunited after starring in Oliver! (1968) together, (Wild was playing an 11 year old, but was nearly 18 when filming it!! :O But, you'll never tell!! ;)) The film's performances and direction are complimented by an easy going soundtrack by The Bee Gees, (with a couple of songs contributed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

;)), with good cinematography by Peter Suschitzky, it's a gentle tale of young puppy love, it takes a little time to get into it, but it's well worth it!! :D.