Probably my favorite scene from an acting standpoint is John watching Jill on the TV. As we all know, Colin's ability to project emotions through his lovely face is one of the things that has drawn us here. I just love watching the pain, anguish, surprise and utter incongruity of the situation showing simultaneously on Colin's face. 

Speaking of Jill, this has bothered me. When John and Brian are moved to the other location to join Anderson, Sutherland and Reed, John pulls out a picture of Jill from behind him. Now where do you suppose he's been hiding that picture? Those shorts don't have pockets! 

The final voiceover by Ciaran Hinds really gets to me each time I hear it. The "What Is a Hostage" speech is very eloquent. It is obvious that John and Brian think very differently about their experiences. John considers the time as 'standing in a queue for four years,' whereas Brian has used to the time perhaps to better advantage. 

Heide:
(Wanda) Did anyone notice the similarity in attitude and delivery of these two lines from two very different movies?
Yes, I noticed the very same delivery. A pat on the back to you for giving us if not a Darcy mannerism, at least a P&P one. 

(Karen) Probably my favorite scene from an acting standpoint is John watching Jill on the TV.
So glad you brought this one up. His eyes are huge here—opened so wide and filled with anguish. Another bit of rebelliousness here on John's part too, since you brought that point up. He has to convince Brian to change the channel to the news. Brian is concerned they'll be heard, but John is the more daring here. 

I had forgotten from my first pre-Colin fixation viewing of this movie how John McCarthy's experience is the focal point. Brian's experience is very vivid too, but the story seems to center mostly on McCarthy. 

Evelyn:
(Karen) Now where do you suppose he's been hiding that picture? Those shorts don't have pockets!
Didn't one of the guards, at one point, show John a newspaper with Jill's picture? Maybe he kept it inside his shorts. 

Sorry, I'm still bemoaning the fact they split. She gave him five years of her life with great loyalty and devotion! 

Bethan:
(Evelyn) I'm still bemoaning the fact they split
It's difficult to understand why but there was genuine nationwide sympathy when they parted. 

Karen: 
(Evelyn) I'm still bemoaning the fact they split. She gave him five years of her life with great loyalty and devotion!
In the film we are not given a lot of information about how serious their relationship originally was. I mean: were they very nearly engaged or living together? Yes, you have to give Jill enormous credit for waging her campaign for five years because she could have done a Sophie (from Tumbledown) and just gone on with her life. John had to have been a changed man after his captivity as Brian's voiceover intimates. No one can be untouched by those types of events. The fact that they split up, while sad from the public's point of view, may have been mutual. 

(Heide) He has to convince Brian to change the channel to the news. Brian is concerned they'll be heard, but John is the more daring here.
Yes, very true. John is definitely being more daring here. Love the line "please, sir, can we take off our blindfolds to watch." 

Now, two physical details: 

So what does everyone think of the briefly browned-out teeth? Why did they do that all of a sudden? John had been held for so many years and then all of a sudden his teeth go brown, only to be miraculously whitened about five minutes later. 

Colin's Ribs: In the scene after he's been kicked by the terrorists, it appears he is crying, but the most remarkable thing has to be how his ribs really stand out as he turns over on his mattress. 

Renate:
I have just ordered the John McCarthy-Jill Morrell book. I expect it to be rather painful as the film is for me. Have not yet gotten to a stage where I can drool over it. Just imagine being wrapped up in tape. So cruel. I can hardly stand to watch it even though it is so understated in the film. Just as they understated most of the cruelty and pain and left it to viewer's imagination. Good filmmaking, BTW. You suffer with the victims—not because the filmmakers dwell on the pain, but by simply showing the events and leaving it to your imagination. At least that's how it works for me. 

The thing with the brown teeth was strange, indeed. I have no explanation for it. Have to rewatch it to figure it out. Perhaps he did not show his teeth before, as he sometimes cunningly does? 

Wanda:
(Karen) The final voiceover by Ciaran Hinds really gets to me each time I hear it. The "What Is a Hostage" speech is very eloquent.
It's a poem written by Brian Keenan, which is why it is so beautiful and moving. These were the words of a man who truly knew. It is a very powerful way to end the film. I remember the first time I saw this movie, just sitting in stillness for a while after that speech. It so overwhelmed me. 

(Karen) all of a sudden his teeth go brown, only to be miraculously whitened about five minutes later.
Another possibility is that the hostages, while held by the same group, were moved frequently and not always held by the same guards. Living conditions varied from place to place, as did their treatment by the guards. Perhaps they were allowed toothbrushes in one jail and not in another. The Americans seemed to be treated better. They had radios and books while Brian and John did not. They were also beaten less, possibly because of Brian's rebelliousness. In his book, Brian expressed concern that John suffered for his (Brian's) protests and made an effort to watch his temper. This could also explain why John toughened as time went by and Brian became more compliant. These two men really strengthened and sustained one another through their ordeal. 

Heide: 
(Karen) Colin's Ribs
They were pronounced, weren't they. That's one of the more painful scenes. But the worst was when they were taped and moved. I could only pray I'd pass out because being so confined would drive me insane. We couldn't even distinguish one taped body from another and couldn't tell who was almost choking in the truck and had to have the tape ripped a bit from his mouth. Sorry, Renate, I know you find this scene painful too. 

Another painful scene is watching Ronald Reagan with Charlton Heston behind him saying Terry Anderson's speech must have been scripted because Terry would never say that. I'm not about to get into politics here but, as an American, I cringed because I remember the debate over his speech. I like to think that I knew Terry was saying what he felt but I don't recall clearly if that was the case at the time. 

(Wanda) It's a poem written by Brian Keenan, which is why it is so beautiful and moving.
Thanks Wanda. It looks like there is a lot of material out there on this subject. I also liked what Frank Reed said when he was released. He was a pain in the ass imprisoned, but he was angry and forceful when he spoke. He mentions all the hostages left behind and says, "For God's sake, it's been nearly six years!" That simple fact was pretty powerful. 

Bethan:
The John McCarthy-Jill Morrell book is excellent. There are some pointers at the end as to why the relationship broke up. Jill had become very independent in some respects. The experience must have changed both of them. BTW I think I've mentioned this, but Colin in some of the shots in Hostages (e.g., on the phone to Jill) really does look like John. They both have the same sort of smile or grin. 

Renate:
(Bethan) but Colin in some of the shots...really does look like John. They both have the same sort of smile or grin.
Better and better! BTW, what is he doing today? Is he on TV? How did this experience influence his career as a journalist? 

Bethan:
John McCarthy resumed his career in journalism and branched out into TV work. (He did a series about sailing around Britain.) Brian got married and lives in Ireland and, I believe, is a writer and journalist. I found the closing poem by Brian very moving. I remember listening to an interview with Brian in which he spoke of how he and John supported each other during periods of unimaginable hardship and how he grew to love John. I was particularly struck by the use of the word "love," which heterosexual men are very wary of using in relationship to each other. 

Jana:
(Heide) Ronald Reagan...saying Terry Anderson's speech must have been scripted...I like to think that I knew Terry was saying what he felt but I don't recall
I felt the same way you did when I first watched this scene. However in the above-mentioned interview, Anderson said that he was indeed reading from a script written by his captors. He had decided it was worth reading the propaganda to let his family see that he was OK, plus he figured no one would believe he was speaking in his own words anyway. 

Does anyone else melt at the end when John and Jill hug? It's sort of a Darcy/Georgiana-ish hug, isn't it? Knowing their relationship didn't survive does take a little of the joy out of it though :-( 

Karen: 
(Wanda) The Americans seemed to be treated better
When Brian asked how they came to have a radio, Terry Anderson said "We asked." Who knows whether Brian and John would have received toothbrushes! 

Evelyn:
(Bethan) There are some pointers at the end as to why the relationship broke up. Jill had become very independent in some respects...the experience must have changed both.
Isn't it a pity that the asset that propelled her to work for his liberation turned into a liability once he was freed? 

Bethan:
Some Other Rainbow is a long and very well-written book that doesn't end with John's release. There is also some coverage of his re-adjustment to freedom. A sad fact—not covered in Hostages or possibly even in the book—was that John's mother died of cancer whilst he was in captivity. It is difficult to contemplate the awfulness of this both for John and his father. 

Heide:
I went to the library and the only thing I could find was Terry Anderson's book. Here's a tidbit that seems rather pertinent. As mentioned by Wanda, Terry and the other American hostages were a bit jealous of the close relationship John and Brian had developed despite their vast differences. On the other hand, Terry writes of John and Brian: "They've been put off quite a bit by the aggressive quality in our discussions. They don't understand the game in it, and of course don't understand that for Tom, it's still a bit of therapy..." (p.243) 

Our discussions can be aggressive and lord knows we disagree but, since our group is so small, I've come to look rather fondly on us as a "cozy" group who can enjoy stimulating each other even if it means "tweaking" someone's sensitivities. At the risk of sounding precious, having to share a cell with such ardent debaters as fellow hostages might make the experience less painful. It would keep the blood pumping anyway. 

Evelyn:
Does anyone know if any of it was filmed in Beirut? I realize the cell scenes were in a studio, but the car chases and the atmosphere looked Middle East. 

Heide:
I can't help but think that our understanding of John McCarthy comes directly from Colin's portrayal of him. With no small thanks to the writer and director, Colin is able to portray John exactly as Terry Anderson described him in his book: 

"John is an enormously civil man...He rarely complains, and I've never seen him angry. I know he's as lonely and discouraged as any of us, but he just keeps his cool, and his sense of humor. Doesn't talk much about his feelings, unlike the rest of us." (p. 245)

"He has acted with dignity and integrity through all this, and kept his brilliant sense of humor... He seems to think of himself as an intellectual lightweight. In fact, he has an excellent mind..." (p. 320)

An example of McCarthy's humor not shown in the film: One of the guards wants John to teach him English. He shows items to John and asks for the English word. John replies "cup" to each item shown to him (a spoon, the Bible, etc.). Finally the guard caught on.

Also, I felt that the guards were shown with some sympathy in the film. I've not gotten too far into the book, but I've seen little evidence that Terry is too enamored with them. At least not yet. 

Wanda:
(Terry Anderson) "They've been put off quite a bit by the aggressive quality in our discussions. They don't understand the game in it, and of course don't understand that for Tom, it's still a bit of therapy..."
Brian mentions in his book that, to relieve tension and for entertainment, he and John frequently cursed like longshoremen and called each other all sorts of vile things. When they first met the American hostages, he and John thought their behavior put off the others. Interesting how they all used this tactic but were afraid their new acquaintances might not understand. 

Closer to the end of Anderson's book, he admitted that the bickering and pettiness amongst the other hostages got to be a bit much. He seemed thankful to have John there when things got tense. 

It was Colin's portrayal of John that made me go looking for more information on the hostages, but the obvious affection and esteem both Brian and Terry felt for John has made me admire him apart from Colin. However, I still picture Colin when I think of John, perhaps because there is a strong resemblance. Perhaps not;-p 

I've got to go look for the McCarthy-Morrell book. It will be interesting to read how John viewed many of these events. 

Evelyn:
I really never planned to read John and Jill's book, but your discussion made it compelling. That often happens to me on this board. I didn't like FP at all the first time. After reading all the comments, I reviewed it and saw it in a different light. 

Jana:
Thanks everyone for sharing comments from the life stories of the real participants. I'm finding them very interesting. Not having much time for reading lately, I appreciate the Cliff Notes. 

I have just finished watching Hostages again and I was struck by a feeling that an important scene is missing. Did anyone else feel just a bit cheated that the film did not show a reunion scene between Brian and John? Maybe they thought it would be too maudlin, but I would have liked to see Brian welcome John home. 

I paid special attention to the Monopoly scene this time. It shows off the DB's back to perfection. Sorry, had to drool just a bit. 

Evelyn:
CF must be very good at Monopoly by now. He played it in Hostages and in ATA. 

Wanda:
I glad you don't mind references to the books. I've been a bit concerned that others might be annoyed if we continued to refer to related materials we had read. This appears to have, unintentionally, become a film/book discussion. I hope that's all right. The film got me interested in the subject and the people. The books provided me with insights into the characters and their experiences and helped me to understand why particular characters behaved as they did in certain scenes. The film could not convey all that in only two hours. After reading the books, it's been interesting to go back and watch the movie again and put some of these things together. 

(Jana) Did anyone else feel just a bit cheated that the film did not show a reunion scene between Brian and John?
I felt they should have added that scene as well. I'm sure you're right about why John's reunion with Brian was left out, but the story did seem incomplete without it. After all, the film showed us more about John's relationship with Brian than his relationship with Jill. I thought it was rather strange that, when John arrived at the airport, Brian appeared to be on the tarmac while Jill and others greeted him inside. You would have thought John's family and Jill would have wanted Brian there, as I'm sure they would have met. It was common for the released hostages to contact the loved ones of those still being held. I like to think they understood the special bond the two had formed and allowed Brian to be the first to greet him. Then they welcomed him home following that. This is purely my rationalization of course, but it works for me;-) 

Evelyn:
Wanda, I am very grateful that you started this discussion of book/film. It has gotten me interested in reading the book. 

Karen:
Everyone's comments from the memoirs have been fascinating. It's interesting to see what the screenwriter chose to use. 
 
 
 

Bibliography

• Anderson, Terry a. Den of Lions: Memoirs of Seven Years. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1993. (ISBN 0-517-59301-7) 
• Keenan, Brian. An Evil Cradling. New York: Viking, 1993. (ISBN 0-670-85146-9) 
• McCarthy, John, and Jill Morrell. Some Other Rainbow. London: Bantam Press, 1993 (ISBN 0-593-02729-9) 
• Sutherland, Tom, and Jean Sutherland. At Your Own Risk: An American Chronicle of Crisis and Captivity in the Middle East. Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 1996. (ISBN 1-55591-255-9)

Back to Discussion Index

The Bucket's main page