Melody

I saw this film when I was eleven. That was 27 years ago, and I still love it. That's unique because I haven't seen it for 27 years. It was not long after my sister's wedding. I remember this because I went to see it at half term, and I went to see it 5 times that week. I couldn't afford popcorn that many times, so I took a piece of my sisters left-over wedding cake with me each day. It is a gentle story of young love, which ends happily. Simple. What made it so good for me was the way I could identify with the two young lovers (or wanted to). I had a crush on a girl, and this film portrayed for me the fairy tale I wanted to live. And it has a score by the Bee Gees. I still sing "In the morning" (I think that's what the song was called) to myself, a song worth seeing the film just to hear. I've never seen this film on video or TV, and I don't want to. It's one of those films that I know if I see it again, I'll probably be disappointed. To paraphrase Stephen King: I've never seen films like this since, but when you're eleven, who has?

i was fortunate enough to play the part of peggy in this film, it was alan parkers first screenplay and david puttnams first film, i had previously worked with alan on several advertisments and continued to work with him after melody on a few more adverts, i count myself so very lucky to have appeared in alan and davids first big project, i am amazed that this film still has a big following 33 years later, my original vhs copy of melody broke many years ago, but i managed to track down a copy as well as a dvd, i had no idea it was readily available to buy in hongkong,japan, america and even argentina! since checking out the websites for melody/swalk i have been amazed by the wonderful emails sent to me from people all around the world, i would like to thank everybody who has taken time out to enter their comments and feelings etc and to wish everybody a very happy and healthy 2004 kay (nee skinner)

It's inexplicable to me how this film bombed when it came out. It's one of the most charming, realistic stories of adolescent first love ever put on film. Mark Lester and Jack Wild, teamed here for the first time since "Oliver!," three years earlier, make a good team all over again as the two best school friends who temporarily have a bust when Lester develops a crush on Hyde, as charming, winsome a young miss as you will ever see. And it's all told with charm and believability. I saw this film on TV almost two decades ago and wonder why it isn't available on video. It should be, since it's sure to charm the kids and parents alike. Charm without smarm is even more of a rarity today than it was in 1971. But "Melody" pulls it off brilliantly and understatedly. A true hidden treasure.

Somehow, I came across the comments below on this film by accident, and became anxious to see something that has so powerfully endeared itself to those who have seen it.

I finally caught it, and as others have commented, it is indeed sweet (I was going to say "and sentimental," but I think it's too natural and honest to be called that). The actors, both children and adults, are superb. Some of the adult actors might be familiar to fans of British films and TV. For example, Roy Kinnear, who plays Melody's dad, might be recognized from appearances in "Help," and briefly but memorably, in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The kids are uniformly excellent. Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde give nice, natural and completely convincing performances, and Jack Wild exhibits the kind of charisma that helped make him a teenybopper idol way back when. I was glad to learn that he's still a working actor, and didn't crash and burn like so many who attained fame at such an early age, God bless him.

The conclusion of this film reminded me of the conclusion of a much more dark British film from 1968, namely "If..." An excellent film, but MUCH less benign that "Melody."

THE GOOD NEWS, for those who have expressed a strong desire to see this film again: There is a Hong Kong DVD of "Melody" which has been available from several foreign sellers on eBay recently. It has a beautiful video transfer (full frame, not letterboxed) with a sharp, clean image and good, well-balanced, stable color. It can be played in any region, and subtitles can be turned off for English-speaking viewers. Those who have seen the film before need no recommendation with regards to the film itself, but I'm very pleased to have the DVD.

What can I say? I love this film! I saw it when I was 8 and living in Argentina. I was later disappointed to find that it was hard to find in the US, but thanks to the wonders of the Internet I was able to find it and own it and noticed it has quite a following. It may not be for everyone, especially if you like action packed, fast paced films.

However, if you like a simple love story, good 'Bee Gees' and 'Crosby, Stills & Nash and Young' music, and a happy feeling, watch this