Watch the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdDZAAPx_IU
David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman, in his greatest performance ever) is a mathematical genius who studies astro-physics. He has married the super-super-super sexy (oooh la la) Amy (Susan George). Basically, Sumner is SUCH a wimp that he has wimped out even before the film begins.
The film is set toward the end of the 60s and Sumner just isn’t interested in civil rights, women’s rights, ending the war…he’s into math. He’s doing OK, got a good job, lots of respect in academia. So he picks up and leaves the USA to go to the English village where Amy grew up to avoid all the moral stuff that’s happening in the USA. Problem? The working class guys in Amy’s village peg him for a wimp immediately. They taunt him, embarrass him and, ultimately, rape his wife, knowing he won’t do anything.
Indeed, Amy does not even tell him of the rape, knowing what a wimp he is. Of course, in the end, Sumner finds a moral issue to fight for, but Peckinpah seems to be asking whether this can cancel the years of pusillanimous behavior or whether this sudden moral crusade will change Sumner’s behavior.
