It was like watching a hardcore geekfest, especially Billy, who was such a purist about the fair and wouldn't yield to any commercial interference even to the point of not giving the boy an autograph (I'm glad he went back to his school and gave him one!). This was a pretty good flick, and it was great to see the Romero regulars.
shareWell, the subtext was all about choosing between artistic integrity and commercial interests. Billy's a fanatic, and causes a lot of drama by putting his particular vision ahead of the needs of the people who depend on him.
"The truth 24 times a second."
I've watched the movie almost annually ever since my divorce (17 wonderful years ago). Each time, I seem to get something new. This time, it occurred to me that, given how important the traveling fair is in the lives of its participants -- really, it's their life -- it's odd that they don't have a name for their organization.
I'm in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). One of George Romero's inspirations for "Knightriders". We don't knock each other off motorcycles (because we're not technically insane) but we do make our own armour and beat the crap out of each other with wooden weapons. (Trust me, they'd be lethal weapons if we weren't wearing protection.) I've been doing this almost 30 years; these days I'm beating on adults young enough to be my children.
Anyway, when we talk amongst ourselves about the direction we're going and whatnot, it's useful to be able to refer to the overall organization as the SCA. (Within that, we have kingdoms; mine is Meridies.) But in "Knightriders", I never saw or heard reference to a single name for the group.
Except possibly when Billy is talking about it in that conversation around the fire with Bagman and Steve (the lawyer) and Merlin (played by the inimitable Brother Blue). He refers to it as "the troupe". Maybe The Troupe is enough.
"The truth 24 times a second."
I am not sure you will read this, but just in case: whilst looking up this movie , i came across your post a few years go and it gave me strength at the time to go through my own divorce. the spirit of freedom in the film, and your post about the film were a great help.
shareDamn! You just never know.
shareYou have to think about the subtext. Romero said in interviews that a lot of the stuff about commercialization breaking them up was inspired by the breaking-up of the '60s generation (of which GAR was a member) and the erosion of the goals that they had. I read that when the movie came out and ever since that, I always see the fair as a commune of sorts.
share[deleted]
I'm watching it right now. Never heard of it. I have no idea what I'm watching. Are these people putting on a show or living some kind of lifestyle? Some weird mix? There's also not much happening.
At first it is implied Tom Savini's character is the antagonist, but he apologizes for hurting Harris' character. I thought he was making a real run at leadership in their gang, but he's sorry because it's not real? Or is it? It's a little bizarre.
It took an hour for the one cop to become a real protagonist after I thought Savini's character was.
Then there's this weird subplot about the gay guy and Patrcia Tallman's character. THis movie is all over the place.
Veronica65 above, from 10 years ago, got to the heart of it:
You have to think about the subtext. Romero said in interviews that a lot of the stuff about commercialization breaking them up was inspired by the breaking-up of the '60s generation (of which GAR was a member) and the erosion of the goals that they had. I read that when the movie came out and ever since that, I always see the fair as a commune of sorts.
Just viewed it for the first time and I enjoyed your post.
share