Watch The Committee

The Committee is a British movie released in 1968, directed by Peter Sykes with a screenplay by Max Steuer. The movie stars Paul Jones, Tom Kempinski, and Robert Langdon Lloyd in the lead roles. The film begins with a group of students at a university in England who decide to create a committee to investigate the various social, political, and cultural issues on campus. They decide to investigate the university authorities, the police, and the military and to question the morality of the establishment in general.

The committee members consist of five male students, each of whom has different backgrounds, personalities, and views. The group includes John Banks (Paul Jones), an idealistic student who believes in the power of protest and revolution; Mark Sellwood (Tom Kempinski), a sardonic Marxist who views the committee's efforts as futile; Brian Hall (Robert Lloyd), a pragmatic student who aims to bring about change by working within the system; Nicholas Farrant (Barry Evans), the misogynistic womanizer of the group; and Charles Grayson (David Healy), the conservative and conformist member of the committee.

The committee holds various meetings, brainstorming sessions, and discussions, with each member contributing their ideas, comments, and critiques. They investigate the university's governance structure, its funding sources, the role of the police on campus, and the university's response to student protests. They compile their findings and present them to the university authorities, who are skeptical and dismissive of the committee's efforts.

As the committee's investigations intensify, they begin to experience interpersonal conflicts and tensions. John and Mark clash on several occasions, with John accusing Mark of being defeatist and cynical, while Mark accuses John of being naive and idealistic. Similarly, Brian's pragmatic approach is in contrast to John's revolutionary ideas, causing a rift between them.

As the committee's investigation progresses, they uncover dark and disturbing revelations about the university's authoritarianism, its exploitation of student labor, and its complicity in the police brutality against student activists. They decide to go public with their findings, conducting a press conference to reveal the truth.

However, their efforts are met with resistance, with the university authorities rejecting their claims and accusing them of being subversive and disruptive. The police begin to investigate the committee members, using intimidation and harassment to silence them.

The climax of the movie occurs in a dramatic and violent confrontation between the committee and the police. The committee members find themselves caught up in a violent riot, with the police attacking them and dispersing the crowd. In the chaos, each member must confront their beliefs and convictions, choosing between their commitment to social justice and their own self-interest.

The Committee is a thought-provoking and intense movie that delves into the themes of political activism, free speech, authority, and rebellion. It provides an insight into the conflicts and dilemmas faced by student activists in the late 1960s, and the challenges of initiating change in a complacent and conservative society. The performances by the lead actors are noteworthy, particularly that of Paul Jones, who delivers a fiery and impassioned portrayal of his character, John Banks.

Overall, The Committee is a poignant and historic movie that provides a glimpse into a pivotal era in British social and political history. It remains relevant today, showcasing the ongoing struggle for social justice and the importance of challenging established power structures.