Bless the Beasts & Children

I read the book when I was just 12 years old. I loved it. Then I saw the movie...and loved the movie just as much. This is NOT your standard coming-of-age movie. Anyone who claims otherwise is full of buffalo doo (!) because there is no comparison here. As for statements that troubled kids aren't tender-hearted when it comes to animals, again, buffalo chips! This movie is dead-on when it comes to adolescent worry and the way that young people (and older folks too) treat one another. Swarthout has it right.

I have just now re-read the book and am dying to see the movie again. It's been at least 15 years or more (probably closer to 20) so everything is fresh again. Ironically for me, I now live just down the road from Prescott and Jerome and Flagstaff. All those locations from the movie and from the book are right down the road.

My name is Robert Kramer. All I want to say is that I am very proud of this film. I loved working on it and even now I can't believe that I worked with Stanley Kramer. He has worked with most of the biggest stars that ever lived. Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracy, Judy Garland. I'm not as talented as those actors but I am grateful he gave me the chance to be in his film and I guess I did ok. He told me that I did, so I guess it must be so. Bless the Beasts is available on ITunes in HD, and looks great. Also my reading the comments on here about what people thought about the film, I appreciate the kind complimentary ones and the ones who didn't like it. Stanley Kramer was a great Producer, Director. I was lucky to be able to work with him. Also, I am not at all related to Stanley Kramer. It was just an average regular guy, me, who got the job. Also, to find a great copy of the film in HD, go to ITunes, you can buy it or rent it. It looks great. Won't be ever in Dolby Vision but it still looks great.

Yes...a masterwork. I don't throw that term around carelessly. But it is so much more than what meets the eye.

I saw this at 15, alone, one Saturday afternoon in a dark movie theater and my life was transformed. This is a coming-of-age movie that more people should watch at that turning point of their lives.

I know it gave me the feeling for the first time, that I wasn't alone feeling geeky, weird, and a stranger to the world. We can probably all relate to at least one of the archetypes Kramer used to tell this story. And that's a good thing, because it made me feel for the first time, that I was OK..that I did belong...that we all had something to contribute.

But it's not just about teen angst, it's about finding a place, a reason and a purpose to live for and finding the strength to follow through in the face of all adversity.

Much praise should be extended to the acting which was natural and never seemed forced....and of course, the music.

The Botkin/de Vorzon score (which went on to famous and infamous heights as 'Nadia's theme' and then the theme to 'The Young and The Restless'). The score highlighted with the Carpenters and Billy Mumy's song in the forest.

Highly Recommended.

I saw this film when it was released in 1971 (when I was eight) and it made quite an impression on me. Some really nice acting, great music, and an interesting (yet simple) story. It's amazing how it has stayed with me all these years. But meaningful films tend to do that. I was lucky enough to see this film again tonight. Though I viewed the film through 42 year-old eyes, it still had an impact. I was saddened to hear that Barry Robins (who played "Cotton") passed away in 1986. He was quite an amazing actor. (It's interesting to note that Robins, who played a 16 year-old, was 26 when the film was made!) He reminded me of Sal Mineo, another fine actor who left us far too soon. Anyway, I just wanted to comment on this fine little gem of a film. If you get a chance to rent it, I hope you will...and enjoy.

I finally saw this again after many years, and it still holds up as a good story! It's one of those 'forgotten' movies of the 1970's, and I think it's way cool to see the great Bill Mumy in a completely different role from Will Robinson!!

The killing of the buffalo is awful, whether they needed to 'thin the herd' or not!

I think there would be more Vegetarians in the world if we all saw how out meat is processed! (Not that i'm a Vegetarian or anything)

I was very touched to hear of the comment from the woman whose brother played 'Cotton' in the film. Too many great young men died way too young from AIDS, as well as too damn many died too young in the jungles of Vietnam.