The Lottery is a 1969 film directed by Larry Yust and based on the short story of the same name by Shirley Jackson. The film tells the story of a small town that holds a lottery each year to determine who will be stoned to death as a sacrifice for the good of the community.
The film follows the story of Tessie Hutchinson, a woman who is selected as the winner of the lottery and must face her own death. The film is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following tradition and the consequences of mob mentality.
One of the most striking aspects of the film is its portrayal of the seemingly normal and mundane town, which is revealed to be a place where violence and death are accepted as a necessary part of life. The lottery itself is presented as a casual and routine event, with the townspeople gathering in the town square and chatting as if it were any other social gathering.
As the film progresses, the tension builds as Tessie becomes more and more panicked and desperate to find a way out of her fate. The film ultimately ends with Tessie's death, as she is stoned to death by the townspeople.
The film's ending is particularly powerful, as it serves as a commentary on the dangers of blindly following tradition and the consequences of mob mentality. It is a cautionary tale that encourages viewers to think critically about the ways in which they participate in their own communities and to question the values and beliefs that are taken for granted.
Overall, The Lottery is a thought-provoking and haunting film that serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of blindly following tradition and the consequences of mob mentality.
The Lottery (Short 1969)
IMDb user review A young Ed Begley Jr. Also conspicuous in this film is the absence of any police or sheriff to oversee the lottery — the village appears to be a self-policing location, where everybody knows his place and no one would sneak away when their communal duty bounds them to the ghastly ceremony. TESSIE: I clean forgot what day it was. JANEY: I wish they'd hurry. The beginning is almost like a pointillist rendering of a town, jumping between snatches of conversation, showing shots filled with faces and feet. Currently available to view for free on YouTube. JEAN: Seems like there's no time at all between lotteries anymore.
The Lottery 1969
But all the mundanity and the stilted acting only makes what comes next all the creepier. SUMMERS: Well, everybody, that went pretty fast. An annual summer event takes place in a tiny New England town - in which the 'winner' of a community lottery is chosen to be the subject of a deadly ritual, in a bid to ensure a bountiful harvest. Encyclopedia Britannica still controls the rights to the film, and it has not announced any plans to make this series available on DVD and Blu-ray. ALTA MARTIN: Bobby Martin! My married daughter draws with her husband's family. SUMMERS: Take your time, son. Make them take their chance! WARNER: Used to be a saying, "Lottery in June, corn heavy soon.
Watch the Creepy 1969 Short Film Adaptation of “The Lottery” ‹ Literary Hub
You probably knew that already. When the film ended, so did class, and I have no memory of talking to anyone about the film. JANEY: Well, Horace ain't but sixteen yet. SUMMERS: All right, open the papers. The response to the fictional piece, which concerns a small-town tradition that ends in horrific violence, was profoundly negative. There are lots of well-worn character faces in the crowd including a young Ed Begley Jr.
BOBBY: Come on, Harry. JANEY DUNBAR: Me, I guess. Show us her paper, Bill. SUMMERS: Daughters draw with their husbands' families. AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None. One bit of business added for the film was having a nervous teenager clumsily bump against the stool holding the lottery box as he fished out his slip of paper — the youth was played by Ed Begley Jr. ADA: Some places have already quit lotteries.
One day I went into my Grade 8 English class and our teacher decided to show us this short film. During the final moments, the matter of fact nature of the violence was so shocking…I mean, I was stunned. Tessie is played by Olive Dunbar, a character actress who specialized in playing prim authority types — this was her only starring role, and the emotional intensity that she brings to the film especially when Tessie begins to panic about her fate is stunning. Harry, you hold it for him. WARNER: It ain't the way it used to be. SUMMERS: Thank you, Phil. She is the rarity in the town — a good-natured woman who enjoys a joke.
