{"id":3212,"date":"2007-05-19T05:40:16","date_gmt":"2007-05-19T12:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3212"},"modified":"2023-09-18T23:42:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T06:42:27","slug":"devils-playground-the-1976","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3212","title":{"rendered":"Devil&#8217;s Playground, The (1976)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;An undisciplined mind is the devil&#8217;s playground.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2-198x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-63594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2-676x1024.png 676w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2-85x128.png 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2-178x270.png 178w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Poster2.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn Australian boy (Simon Burke) comes of age at a Catholic boarding school in the 1950s.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Australian Films<\/li>\n<li>Boarding School<\/li>\n<li>Coming-of-Age<\/li>\n<li>Fred Schepisi Films<\/li>\n<li>Priests and Ministers<\/li>\n<li>Sexuality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis episodic coming-of-age tale by Australian director Fred Schepisi is inaccurately marketed as a sensationalized tale of sexuality &#8212; indeed, one DVD cover features a strategically-chosen, non-representative still which immediately evokes the threat of pedophilia. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2-212x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-63598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2-90x128.png 90w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2-191x270.png 191w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-DVD-Cover2.png 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In actuality, this subject is never dealt with; instead, the priests in <em>Devil&#8217;s Playground<\/em> are portrayed as well-meaning, eminently human, and (for the most part) kind. (One particularly surprising scene shows two priests out on the town, tempted to pick up women they meet at a bar). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-1024x570.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-485x270.png 485w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Bar.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While the narrative in <em>The Devil&#8217;s Playground<\/em> <u>is<\/u> concerned with sexuality &#8212; as is nearly every movie about adolescence &#8212; its portrayal is honest and multi-faceted rather than prurient. This remains a worthy entry in the vast coming-of-age genre. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Simon Burke&#8217;s appealing, natural performance<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-1024x573.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-1536x859.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2-483x270.png 483w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Burke2.png 1833w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A refreshingly humanizing look at priests<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-1024x569.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-1536x854.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-486x270.png 486w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Priests4.png 1828w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A sensitive portrayal of male adolescence and sexuality<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-1024x568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"355\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-1536x852.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Adolescence.png 1819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-1024x570.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-485x270.png 485w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Devils-Playground-Choir2.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0074404\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1981\/10\/30\/movies\/the-devil-s-playground.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;An undisciplined mind is the devil&#8217;s playground.&#8221; Synopsis: An Australian boy (Simon Burke) comes of age at a Catholic boarding school in the 1950s. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Australian Films Boarding School Coming-of-Age Fred Schepisi Films Priests and Ministers Sexuality Review: This episodic coming-of-age tale by Australian director Fred Schepisi is inaccurately marketed as a sensationalized tale of sexuality &#8212; indeed, one DVD cover features a strategically-chosen, non-representative still which immediately evokes the threat of pedophilia. In actuality, this&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3212\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3212"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91724,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3212\/revisions\/91724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}