The People (1972)** (out of 4) Kim Darby plays Melodye Amerson, a teacher who takes a job in a very small community and not realizing what she's gotten herself into. One her first day of school she's rudely welcomed by the parents but the children constantly ignore her because of their beliefs. These "beliefs" are a secret that the teacher as well as a health worker (William Shatner) must try to figure out by getting the people to trust them.THE PEOPLE is a fairly forgettable made-for-TV mixture of drama and sci-fi. The movie contains elements of VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, TO SIR WITH LOVE and several other sci-fi stories because it turns out that the villagers are able to read minds as well as move objects. It's important to note that this film was made before CARRIE and other movies like that so it did get the jump on them. There are certainly some interesting ideas scattered throughout the film but sadly the direction is pretty one-note and the film eventually drags even at just 74 minutes.The best thing going for the film is the performance by Darby who is certainly believable in the role of the teacher who must keep fighting to try and get the kids to trust her. Once she discovers their secrets, the performance takes on an even stronger note. Shatner is decent in his role but to be fair he really isn't given much to do. The supporting cast fit their roles nicely but no one really stands out. THE PEOPLE could have used a tad bit more life and there's no question that some of the special effects aren't the greatest.

I remember seeing this as a "Movie of the Week" the first time it came on... I haven't seen it since, so I recently ordered it just for the heck of it. I hope it gives me the same warm fuzzies as, "The Point" did... :-)

Okay, I admit, this is a pretty lame movie, and yet I still remember it and even bought the video several years ago for about $5. I made my boyfriend watch it with me and he laughed through the whole thing. I was offended! (Not really) The thing that always got me about this movie was the haunting quality of the people and their community. The music when the kids are floating in the glen, the pictures they draw of their home world. It just worked for me, but then I'm a sci-fi and fantasy nut, while my b/f is a business and computer guy!

There's something "good" about a really bad '70's TV movie! In the vein of Barbara Eden's "The Stranger Within" and Kim Darby's "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark", "The People" is unintentionally laughable. I first saw this film when it aired on television and was astounded to find a copy on video in my local library this week! I forced my poor husband to watch this treasure with me and he grudgingly gave it a rating of 2!!! I'm still laughing! Well, thanks for listening. Now, let's see if we can find a copy of George Kennedy's prize "Rabid".