Lord of the Flies (NR, 1963)

Based on William Golding's award-winning allegorical novel, LORD OF THE FLIES is the story of a group of English schoolboys marooned on a remote island. At first, they operate according to the structure they're used to ("Let's make a lot of rules!" shouts one of the boys). Ralph, thoughtful and democratic, is selected as their leader. He plans for the long term, keeping a signal fire going. But when no one comes to rescue them, civilization slips further and further away. Jack and his "hunters" take over, becoming more and more savage. They paint themselves and make sacrifices to a mythical "beast," first the heads of the animals they kill for food, and then one of the boys, killed in a wild ceremonial dance. They murder Ralph's last follower, a chubby boy called "Piggy," and they are chasing murderously after Ralph when they are found by rescuers.

The movie has some very scary moments, and the overall theme may be particular troubling for some kids. But it's more kid-friendly than the 1990 remake, which updates the story with a contemporary setting and changes the boys' nationality to American. Dark and sometimes gory, it has some power, but it's not as good as the original. Teenagers should read the source book by Nobel Prize winner Golding.