a remarkable political film reflecting both the times of the 30's and the 70's. beautifully filmed in b&w. i don't believe the art director or the cinematographer received any awards for this film. too bad since the bleak yet dramatic backstop of the alberta prairie added, immeasurably to the near nihilistic dialogue and sparing editing reflecting the times during the depression in the great Canadian prairie. the moments where the director slowly pans the camera over the nearly endless prairie grass to show the feeling of alienation of land that reflects the alienation of the people to one another, never ceases to impact me. there is no real connection with the students the only feeling of empathy obtained by, bud cort, is when a senior school district manger shows up to review his work , the teacher can't help but lay into the supervisor and inform him of the inadequacies the district has shoulder him with in regards to outdated books and supplies. and then there is the delightful prairie dog tail scene which i won't spoil for anyone. rural poor is unlike city poor. watch and see the results.