MartinHafer
I noticed that one reviewer read the books of the author who came up with this story and they were very disappointed in the film. That is often the case--films usually do compare poorly to the movie versions. However, since I've never read anything by Zenna Henderson, the film was just fine to me...and I assume that if you haven't read the books you'll enjoy this unusual film.When the film begins, a young and eager new school teacher (Kim Darby) is excited to be going to a very isolated town out west to teach. However, it soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary town...they are all a bunch of weirdos. It isn't that they are bad...but the way they react to her and things in general is very odd. They appear humorless and almost emotionless and it's not easy teaching kids who grow up in this strange cult-like environment. But, being an installment of "The ABC Movie of the Week", you KNOW it's got to have a weird secret...but I don't want to ruin the suspense so I'll say not more about the plot.The bottom line is that if you like fantasy or sci-fi, you'll likely enjoy this picture. I appreciated how the secret did NOT turn out to necessarily be a bad or malevolent thing and the film was very satisfying. Plus, it was nice to see Darby and William Shatner in this one as they both had previously acted together in the "Star Trek" episode, "Miri"...where Darby played a teenager infatuated with the dashing Captain.
DonutLover
I saw this movie when I was about 12 yrs. old and always loved it, always remembered it. I forgot that William Shatner was in it, but I do remember it was "Miri" from Star Trek who was the teacher. I'm so glad, thanks to google, that I was able to track this down. I will always remember the scene in the woods, where the children play the harmonica, and they start rising into the trees, flying happily, and free. What an image! For a "movie of the week" I couldn't understand why it impressed me so much, so of course now that I see Coppola involved with it, it all makes sense. He's the director of my favorite film, "The Godfather." I'm sure that when I view "The People" again, as an experienced 43 yr. old, I'll see different things and probably be more discriminating, now that I'm more on republican, conservative side of things, as I was in my teens, when I loved all things hippie. But the main story was so cool, and I would love to see it again. Kim Darby has such a hauntingly beautiful, gentle voice and manner, and good ol' Cpt. Kirk was such a fox, back in those days! Also, as I recall, the harmonica song was very pretty.
caitlynmaire
"The People" is based entirely on one of Zenna Henderson's short stories, "Pottage", which appeared in the brilliant book "Pilgrimage: The Book of the People" back in the '60s. "Pottage" is the darkest of the stories, centering on a group of people living in fear and isolation in the tiny town of Bendo, and the teacher, Melodye, who learns the truth of their origins and the secrets they keep.In the book you've already read about The People in two other stories so you have a good idea what's coming. In the movie this should have been a major bit of suspense... but it wasn't. The written story is far more compelling than what appears on screen. Kim Darby plays Melodye with warmth, but the frustration, determination, and courage in the story is somehow muted in her performance. William Shatner plays Dr. Curtis, who has a somewhat expanded role in the movie version. Dan O'Herlihy's performance as the stern Sol Deimus is the best translation of the character to the screen."The People" is entertaining if woodenly acted at times. If you find a copy and have an evening to kill it is probably worth your time, but by all means read the book.
dja2000
After spending more than a year tracking this movie down, I finally found one on ebay.Yes, it's disappointing to anyone who's read the books and it is based more on the story Pottage and certainly not the entire book. Francher doesn't belong in Bendo and neither does Bethie. The film takes elements from a few of Zenna's stories and creates a tale from them to fit a typical 70's TV movie.It's ok but not what any devotee of Zenna Hendersons work would expect but if, like me, you have taken the People to heart, then this is a nice movie to add to your collection.
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