Alcohol - The Choice

Year Published: 1974

Creator: Cathedral Films Inc / Outreach Films

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Copyright: Registered 1Jun74 · LP43666 (Jul-Dec 1974) Copyright holder: Cathedral Films, Inc

Description: Made in 1974 by Cathedral Films and directed by Byron Meyers, "Alcohol The Choice" deals with a teenager named Rick who is faced with pressure from peers to drink and his decision about the use of alcohol. It also shows permissive drinking by adults. The plot revolves around Rick and his struggles with family and peer pressure related to drinking. Rick's father has a drinking problem, which causes tension and arguments at home. Rick also faces pressure from friends to drink, but he is conflicted due to his father's issues with alcohol. The film shows how the young man Rick is assisted by a youth minister in making his choice to not drink. Eventually, Rick has an argument with his father, and leaves his family home to see his girlfriend. On the way to her house on foot, he is hit by a drunk driver, who turns out to be his neighbor. At the end of the story, Rick wakes up from his coma, and reflects on the accident and the consequences of alcohol abuse. 00:00: A young man lies in a hospital bed, apparently in a coma. The machine that goes beep is close by, monitoring his vitals. He is in cardiac arrest. 1:02: Discussion about the patient's condition. Heart paddles, also known as defibrillator pads or electrodes, are used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. 1:19: Flashback: a man comes home to his house and is met by his daughter. 1:30: Rick talks to his African American friend; they discuss going out and drinking. 2:00: Rick's friend pressures him to drink; Rick refuses. 2:13: Rick's father confronts him about drinking. 3:00: Argument between Rick and his father about drinking. 3:39: Rick's friend talks about his father's drinking problem. 4:37: Someone asks to talk to an unconscious person. 5:00: Rick apologizes. 5:14: Rick's friend brags about drinking and getting friendly with a girl. 6:01: Rick's mother confronts him about drinking. 6:14: Rick watches television and sees ads for liquor. 7:01: Rick's brother and father work on a bike; Rick feels pressured about drinking. 8:01: Rick's father explains why he allows Rick's brother to drink but not Rick. 9:35: A youth ministry, led by a young priest or youth minister. Discussion about the morality and legality of drinking. 10:30: Rick's friend talks about the social problems caused by alcohol. 11:46: Argument about drinking within the family. Rick leave the house after arguing again with his father. fRick's neighbor is seen driving drunk, and tossing a cigarette out the window. 12:33: Rick calls a friend for support. 13:14: The accident is seen: Rick was hit by the drunk driver we saw earlier, who is his neighbor. 14:00: Rick wakes up in a hospital and learns about the accident caused by a drunk driver. He recognizes that the drunk driver is his neighbor and tells the nurse.

Complete Record: Shows a teenager faced with pressure from peers to use alcohol. Depicts him making the decision by himself with the help of his youth minister.