''The People'' is a 1972

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

, broadcast as an ''

ABC Movie of the Week ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

'' on January 22, 1972. It is primarily based on "Pottage", a novella by

Zenna Henderson Zenna Chlarson Henderson (November 1, 1917 – May 11, 1983) was an American elementary school teacher and science fiction and fantasy author. Her first story was published in ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' in 1951. Her work is cit ...

, with elements of Henderson's stories "Araret", "Gilead" and "Captivity". It stars

Kim Darby Kim Darby (born Deborah Zerby; July 8, 1947) is an American actress best known for her role as Mattie Ross in the film '' True Grit'' (1969). Early life and film career Darby was born Deborah Zerby in Los Angeles, the daughter of professional d ...

William Shatner William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship ''Enterpris ...

Diane Varsi Diane Marie Antonia Varsi (February 23, 1938 – November 19, 1992) was an American film actressHyams, Joe (December 16, 1957)"In Hollywood: Diane Varsi Sees Herself as 'Just an Actor,' Not Star" ''New York Herald Tribune''. p. 15. Retri ...

, Laurie Walters, and Dan O'Herlihy. Darby and Shatner had previously appeared together in the '' Star Trek'' episode ""

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Plot summary

This science fiction film tells the story of Melodye Amerson (

), a young teacher who goes to a remote area to work with a group of individuals who have isolated themselves from civilization and maintained an independent community, vaguely similar to the

Amish The Amish (; pdc, Amisch; german: link=no, Amische), formally the Old Order Amish, are a group of traditionalist Anabaptist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German and Alsatian origins. They are closely related to Mennonite churc ...

or a religious commune. Melodye is unnerved by the secretive behavior of her students, and the fact that all fun, games and activities she proposes are forbidden to them. Valancy (

), an elder in the community, advises Melodye to stay, because she senses that things are about to change in the valley, and Melodye herself is a part of that change. Melodye soon discovers that the secluded and "backwards" residents are actually

aliens Alien primarily refers to: * Alien (law), a person in a country who is not a national of that country ** Enemy alien, the above in times of war * Extraterrestrial life, life which does not originate from Earth ** Specifically, intelligent extrate ...

with mild paranormal powers. A natural disaster destroyed their planet, and they are hoping to establish a life on Earth. Landing in the late 1800s, initially they shared their secret with local residents, but found themselves condemned as witches. Many were killed, and the survivors forbade their children ever to use their abilities, even with extreme discretion. Young adults like Valancy (and even some of the older people) have been pushing for an end to these restrictions.

Cast

– Melodye Amerson *

– Dr. Curtis *

– Valancy Carmody * Dan O'Herlihy – Sol Diemus * Laurie Walters – Karen Diemus *Johanna Baer – Bethie

Production

As noted above, the film was notable for its second pairing of

and

, who had worked together in the '' Star Trek'' episode "

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". The children's illustrations in the film were done by Arthur Okamura. The film was the first TV movie for

John Korty John Korty (June 22, 1936 – March 9, 2022) was an American film director and animator, best known for the television film '' The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'' and the documentary '' Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen ...

, and was produced by his sometime partner Francis Ford Coppola, listed as the Executive Producer on the actual film, and scored by his father Carmine.

Reception

One history of science fiction reports that the film stood out in its time "for being neither shoddy nor sentimentalized."

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:People, The 1972 films 1972 drama films 1970s science fiction films 1970s English-language films ABC Movie of the Week 1972 television films American science fiction television films Films scored by Carmine Coppola 1972 directorial debut films 1970s American films