Movie Review on "Mervyn Leroy's the Bad Seed (1956)"

Quoted Instructions for "Mervyn Leroy's the Bad Seed (1956)" Assignment:

Two (2) reviews count as one project and you may review no more than two movies. Note: The following is only an example. Please refer to the text for recommended films/videos.

The Bad Seed

This 1956 movie is a real thriller and relates to Chapter 2 of the text.

Provide a brief synopsis of the movie.

Do you believe that people are *****"born*****" criminals?

Do you think that Rhoda*****'s mother was in denial and attributed her daughter*****'s behavior to being *****"more mature*****" than other children her age?

Do you believe that it is possible for parents to overlook the criminal behavior of their children? Why?

To what do you attribute Rhoda*****'s detachment from the killing of Claude Deigle (she kept focusing on getting a sandwich)?

How would you assess Rhoda*****'s personality in that she could change from being angry and go to her favorite put-off *****"what will be give me for a basket full of kisses*****"?

At what point was the mother forced to consider that Rhoda was a murderer?

How does Rhoda pull people into her web of deceit?

How would you interpret the look on Rhoda*****'s face as her mother calls the school?

Does the handyman (Leroy) really *****"know*****" Rhoda? What do you believe to be the purpose of having someone who seems less educated *****"understand*****" her as opposed to those who are more educated?

How would you explain the *****"nature vs. nurture*****" argument concerning criminality?

How would you explain Rhoda*****'s failure to accept responsibility for killing Claude?

Was the mother justified d in attempting to kill Rhoda? Did she commit a crime? If, so, which theory explains it?

Do you believe that Rhoda cares about her mother*****'s condition?

Who do you believe is next to die if Rhoda gets the chance?

Is the ending *****"justice*****"?

Which *****"theory*****" do you believe explains Rhoda*****'s behavior?

Directions: Choose two of the following movies to review. You can probably obtain them from *****"Blockbuster*****" or a similar outlet. Sometimes your local library also carries them. You might even be lucky enough to find them on your cable or broadcast television stations. They are not expensive and Amazon.com has all of them.

Movie Review and Formatting Requirements

Each paper must have a cover sheet listing your name, project title, course, and date of submission. Follow the guidelines below:

12 Angry Men (This 1951 film focuses on what transpires in the *****"jury room -- Chapter 9. It begins with the judge giving the jury instructions in the case of a teenager accused of killing his father. All but 3 minutes of this movie were actually shot in a 16 foot x 24 foot *****"jury room.*****")

Provide a brief synopsis of the movie.

What was your *****"first impression of the composition of the jury?

Did the teenager have a *****"jury of his peers?*****" Is it possible for for anyone to truly have a *****"jury of his peers?*****" What assumption is made when we speak of a *****"jury of his peers?*****"

What is the role of the foreperson?

On the first vote, there are 11 jurors voting for *****"guilty*****" and one juror (Henry Fonda) who votes *****"not guilty.*****" Fonda *****"just wants to talk*****" because it is not easy (at least for him) to send someone to death. If you were a juror in a case, would you be satisfied with taking an initial vote and if all agreed, *****"call it a day?*****"

As the discussion gets going, the jurors talk about the defendant*****'s life. Should that have been an issue in determining the verdict?

Do you believe that prejudice or bias can enter into the rendering of a verdict?

Is it possible that jurors have a completely open mind concerning the guilt or innocence of a defendant or as one juror indicated, *****"the defendent was guilty from the outset?*****"

Did you read anything into the fact that one juror *****"passed*****" when they went around the table? Why?

Should jurors consider *****"mitigating circumstances*****" (e.g. abuse) in determining guilt or innocence?

Should a person*****'s criminal record be considered in determining guilt or innocence?

Are jurors supposed to *****"put themselves in the defendant*****'s place*****" when deciding guilt or innocence?

What do you make of the statement that deciding a verdi ct is not an exact science? What implications does that have on the concept of justice? ... the death penalty?

Are jurors supposed to *****"fill in the gaps*****" as did the juror who held the switchblade - and then base a verdict on those conclusions?

Why did the *****"decision*****" change when the first secret ballot was called?

Can jurors ever be 100% sure of guilt or innocence even with evidence? Does science erase doubt as to guilt or innocence ?

Why is eyewitness testimony considered less than reliable?

How is it possible for one juror (the initial hold out) to put doubt in the minds of jurors who appeared to be so positive of the defendant*****'s guilt?

What could be a motive of a witness to give *****"false*****" testimony? (Remember the elderly juror*****'s argument.)

How can appointed attorneys or public defenders affect the outcome of cases?

Do you believe there is *****"reasonable doubt*****" in this case?

Should jurors consider *****"facts not in evidence,*****" e.g., the time it took the elderly witness to get from his bed to the front door?

What is meant by the statement *****"prejudice always obscures the truth?*****" Can you provide examples of where this has occurred in our criminal justice system?

The movie began with a vote of 11-1 for guilty and ended up with a unanimous verdict of *****"not guilty.*****" Do you agree?