Lord of the flies is a near perfect movie. We all had to read this book in high school and know of the tale of kids left alone on an island after a plane crash. At first the premise sounds like a dream come true: Who needs adults anyway? You’re free! But then reality sets in. You’re only a kid, and obviously not ready for this kind of responsibility. The children on the island are all young boys, and like any tribe or pack there has to be an alpha male. Unfortunately in this case there are two.
Ralph is the more rational chief, suggesting they build shelters and a fire to signal help. Jack, the head of the school choir and more barbaric leader decides his boys will be the hunters. And poor Piggy, the too smart for his own good fat kid tries to help control the situation only to get bullied at every turn. Fat kids, so sad. A bitter rivalry develops between Jack and Ralph as they both want to rule the island. It’s amazing how quickly this situation escalates. Ralph’s group remains innocent while Jack’s “hunters” become more savage and primal even donning war paint and archaic rules. The film’s climax is dramatic, suspenseful and convincing.
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English! And the English are best at everything!” - Jack (famous last words)
