Bless the Beasts & Children (1971)

In the arid expanses of the southwestern U.S., where the dusty trails of Box Canyon Camp weave tales of cowboys and camaraderie, a motley crew of cabin mates are thrust together. Teft, Cotton, Shecker, Goodenow and the Lally brothers, products of middle or upper-middle-class families, carry with them the baggage of their troubled home lives and socialization issues. Labelled as misfits by both their peers and the camp administrators, these early-to-mid-teens find an unlikely unity in their shared isolation. Despite their disparate backgrounds, the boys share a tense relationship with their antagonistic cabin counselor, Wheaties, who cruelly compares them to the buffalo in a nearby preserve: mere dumb animals, occupying needless space. But this preserve is no haven for these majestic beasts. It is a slaughterhouse where hunters claim easy victories over the captive buffalo. Shaken by the brutal reality of the preserve, the boys are ignited by a daring purpose to free the buffalo. Their mission is a symbolic act of defiance and liberation, a mirror to their own suppressed desire to break free from the confines of their troubled lives. As they embark on the multi-day trek back to the preserve, their journey is punctuated by poignant flashbacks. These glimpses into their relationships with their families unmask the reasons behind their deep-seated need to set the bison free. The haunting strains of Karen and Richard Carpenter's title song weave through the narrative, underscoring the drama that unfolds. Without a solid plan but driven by their newfound bond and shared purpose, the boys confront their own fears and insecurities. Their impromptu quest evolves into a test of courage and resilience as they strive to accomplish their self-assigned task. Can these young misfits, these so-called 'bedwetters', rise above their circumstances and free not only the buffalo but also themselves? Their journey, fraught with uncertainties and introspection, promises to be a captivating exploration of youthful rebellion, resilience and redemption.

Bless the Beasts & Children is a comedy movie featuring Bill Mumy and directed by Stanley Kramer.

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