The Activist (Art Napoleon; US, 1969)

Scorned during its day, The Activist is re-activated for your renewed perusal. Activist-turned-actor Michael Smith plays a radical opposed to the war in Vietnam in this youth-market entry, shot on the streets of Berkeley. With its street-smart lead and proximity to the antiwar protests it appropriates, The Activist claims an authenticity out of reach to others of its ilk, such as The Strawberry Statement (1970), R.P.M. (1970), and Getting Straight (1970. A member of the Oakland Seven, “Stop the Draft” activists tried for conspiracy in Alameda County, Smith plays a version of himself, a committed Berkeley activist contesting the war in Vietnam. After a demonstration goes bad, he seeks refuge at a friend’s house and there meets Lee, played by real-life girlfriend Lesley Gilbrun. This seat-of-its-pants pic alternates between the budding romance, Lee’s fitful coming to political awareness, and plans to occupy the draft induction center and its resulting skirmish. Guerrilla theater in front of Cody’s Books, a heated encounter in the Greek Theatre, and Mike’s hippie bus passing by the Berkeley Main Post Office all collide with the harsh reality of an unjust war throwing a pall over an entire generation. The Activist does its best to infiltrate documentary footage of street protests with its own fictive frothing (which is what rankled members of the Movement). “You’re not really an activist,” Mike’s old professor tells him, “You’re a romantic.” And in the obligatory scene in which idealistic youth is soured by the wisdom of the elders, the professor continues: “It’s not City Hall you can’t fight, it’s basic human nature.” Ironically, this low-budget youth-yanker has no Hollywood gloss to gussy up its message so it still feels more like the barricade than the balcony.

• Written by Art and Jo Napoleon. With Michael Smith, Lesley Gilbrun, Tom Maier, Brian Murphy. (87 mins, Color, 35mm, From Universal Pictures)