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Made (1972 film)

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Made
Directed byJohn Mackenzie
Written byHoward Barker
Based onNo One Was Saved by Howard Barker
Produced byJoseph Janni
Edward Joseph
StarringCarol White
Roy Harper
CinematographyErnest Day
Edited byDavid Campling
Music byJohn Cameron
Production
companies
International C-Productions
& Vic Films
Distributed byAnglo-EMI Film Distributors
Release date
  • 28 August 1972 (1972-08-28) (Venice)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Made is a 1972 British drama film directed by John Mackenzie. It revolves around the story of a relationship between a young single mother, played by Carol White, and an insecure rock star, played by singer Roy Harper.[1]

Director John Mackenzie later called it "a mess".[2]

Plot

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Valerie is a single mother working as a switchboard operator in Brighton while caring for her infant son as well as her mother, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. She draws the interest of Mahdav, who is forcefully aggressive, as well as Father Dyson, who is controlling, but she has little time for either of them. She becomes infatuated with the touring musician Mike when she hears him speak about the unnecessary guilt placed on the innocent by religion. The two make love before he leaves to continue touring, making Father Tyson jealous. Valerie's mother, now in a hospital, complains about her condition in order to gain more attention from Valerie. Valerie leaves her child with June as she visits her mother, only to find that she was exaggerating her complaints. While Valerie is visiting her mother, June gets caught in a conflict between football hooligans and the pram is knocked down some steps, killing Valerie's child. Valerie finds little solace in those around her until Mike returns, bringing a little of joy. Valerie receives a note that her mother's condition has worsened but she spends the night with Mike instead of going to visit her. Father Tyson arrives and tells her that her mother has died and gets into an argument with Mike. Valerie takes Mike's words to heart and seeks to love who she can when she can instead of requiring anything permanent. She visits Mahdav and allows him to have sex with her but afterwards he becomes possessive, insisting that he is in love and that she is his wife. A constable separates them and drives her home. Mike, now in Los Angeles, releases a song titled "The Social Casualty" containing lyrics about Valerie's tragedies. Valerie hears the song on the radio and begins to cry.

Cast

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Production

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The film was based on the play No One Was Saved by Howard Barker. "The story is set in London but its happening throughout the world," said producer Joseph Janni. "Young people, searching for values, something to believe in. Some look in nearly empty churches, others in the pop world or among Jesus freaks. But who really has the answers?"[3]

Soundtrack

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The film featured excerpts from Harper's songs "The Lord's Prayer", a live excerpt from "Highway Blues", a live session of "Little Lady" and "Bank of the Dead" (a.k.a. "The Social Casualty" and "Valerie's Song") sung with alternative lyrics.

References

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  1. ^ "Made (1972) – John Mackenzie | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  2. ^ Farquhar, Simon (16 June 2011). "John Mackenzie". The Independent. p. 58.
  3. ^ A Sad Jerry L.: A Sad Jerry Lewis By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 7 November 1971: D9.
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