Set in Britain's near future, Peter Watkins's "Privilege" puts forth a fascinating premise, despite the limitations of both budget and the talent of its leads. Steven Shorter is a charismatic pop star with mesmerizing influence over his young impressionable audiences. His stage performances use violence and brutality to cast him as society's victim, and, with powerful background music, he whips devotees, especially female, into a frenzy. The emotional impact is not unlike the Beatles, who coincidentally were at their peak in 1967, when the film was made. Shorter's opportunistic handlers, however, want to influence the youth of Britain with his cooperation, and, in an unholy alliance with the established church, undertake a campaign to promote conformity and traditional values. However, the campaign's launch coincides with Shorter's awakening desire to break free of his burdensome role and become an individual. In this struggle, he is encouraged by the young artist who is painting his portrait.

The original songs by Mike Leander and rock versions of "Jerusalem" and "Onward Christian Soldiers" are catchy and provide the movie's best moments. Unfortunately, the film's stars do not match Watkins's ambitions. Paul Jones lacks a charismatic presence and fails to convince that he could move millions with his voice and image. Although Jones is only adequate as a dramatic actor, the former lead singer of the group Manfred Mann manages the stage sequences quite well. However, his non-singing dramatics lack depth and are largely expressionless. Although Jean Shrimpton is astonishingly beautiful as Vanessa Ritchie, the portrait artist, her talents as an actress are woefully lacking. Despite success as a fashion model, her lackluster performance herein was likely one reason she has only two film credits.

In support of the two leads, Shorter's handlers and the clergy are convincing, and the film has a fascination that transcends its flaws, which include lazy overuse of narration. The manipulation of religion for political ends is as relevant now as in the 1960's, and combining religious faith with popular music and canny advertising is still a potent mix. Burning crosses, hysteria-induced "miracles," screaming young women with tear-stained cheeks, pounding hymns and anthems, sinister-looking clergymen, police brutality: "Privilege" seems to have been drawn from "Triumph of the Will" and, in turn, later inspired "Pink Floyd, The Wall." An often powerful warning about the evils of mixing church and state, restricting individual rights, and following demigods, "Privilege" remains a flawed work that is definitely worth a look.

Good movie about a singer whose popularity serves for societal manipulation. The rather timid rock star is part of an effort to control English youth by coercing them into accepting the government line, which is subtly expressed in his lyrics and behavior. The concept of using rock for social control is a bit dated, but try reworking it in the context of modern consumerism: Huge corporations and their musician-sponsors. Why, Madonna and Michael Jackson would never

allow their artistic talents to be used to get people to buy Pepsi, right? The Beatles "Revolution" in a Nike ad is out of the question, true? Janis Joplin's estate wouldn't allow Mercedes-Benz to feature her tune about the car,

correct? We aren't being manipulated by that old time rock and roll, are we? Not even to buy "Like A Rock" Chevy trucks? Paranoid enough? Then you'll enjoy "Privilege".

While watching Peter Watkins's "Privilege", I got a vibe of both "Wild in the Streets" (about a rock star who runs for president) and "A Clockwork Orange" (in the sense of an autocratic government manipulating a well known figure for their own ends). But more than anything, this movie's protagonist is the precursor to all these so-called influencers. These people who announce that they like certain things, as if to imply that you and I should too, wield as much power as any politician. How long before one of them gets used the same way that the protagonist here does?

It's not a great movie - kind of slow at times - but it still serves as a good warning about letting celebrities have too much influence over the public. Watkins's 1969 movie "Gladiators" depicts a future in which war has become a TV sport, much like all these reality shows.

Paul Jones was a member of Manfred Mann, while Jean Shrimpton was a supermodel. Co-writer Johnny Speight created "Till Death Do Us Part", on which "All in the Family" was based.