1 FAQ Notes.

The "Heavenly Creatures" FAQ is meant to provide:
    * information related to Peter Jackson's 1994 film "Heavenly Creatures,"
    * background information related to the real people and eventsthat were the inspiration for the film,
    * a summary of critical appraisals of these materials.

Though it is 'unfinished' in many ways, this is intended tobe close to the final version of the FAQ. Updates will be infrequent because the pace of research has slowed--I have reached the hard grunt work, where progress is costly and tedious. Suggestions for further work (and requests for assistance) are given below.  The format of this FAQ is a combination of criticism and analysis, in the form of 'traditional' Q&A presentation placed at the beginning of the FAQ, followed by a database of selected material culled primarily from the open literature. The database has been included because there are relatively few in-depth studies, scholarly or popular, of the film "Heavenly Creatures" or its subject, the New Zealand "Parker Hulme" case. There is a fascinating and controversial postscript to "Heavenly Creatures," not mentioned in the film but included in this FAQ. After the film had been completed and was being shown in film festivals, an investigative reporter in New Zealand tracked down one of the title characters and revealed her present identity: she is mystery author Anne Perry.  This unexpected development makes available for the FAQ additional public-domain information and it raises for discussion interesting ethical issues related to art, justice, celebrity and privacy. Anne Perry has made public statements recently about the film "Heavenly Creatures," the "Parker Hulme" case and her lifesince the murder and some of these have been included in the FAQ.  In general, the FAQ compiler has included material which is in the public domain and which is directly related to the "Parker Hulme" murder case and/or to legitimate issues of public concern which have arisen from the case. There is also material in this FAQ which is unavailable elsewhere, contributed by private communication and authorized for release by the contributors. Material which might be described as fully unsubstantiated rumour, or which intrudes unnecessarily and unduly into the private lives of real people still living, has generally not been included in this FAQ. However, because of the extraordinary public impact of this case, the dividing line between appropriate and inappropriate material is not clear-cut.  Now that the preliminary work has been done, and some new perspective has been achieved, the FAQ compiler is going to start the process of putting together a book on the "Parker Hulme" case. Opinions/encouragement/discouragement would be welcomed. As would be criticism of the FAQ. Let me know what you think of it.

1.1 Information on the current release of the FAQ.

The FAQ ver 1.0 provided a first-draft structure and breakdown of topics. It was released 1995/04/09. The FAQ ver 2.0 incorporates corrections, additions and changes to ver 1.0 made between 1995/04/09 and 1995/08/03. Most were the result of input from FAQ readers. Version 2.0 will be close to the final one. Infrequent updates are planned.This is a long document (currently equivalent to nearly 530 single-spaced pages of plain ASCII text). Printing it out is not recommended. Version 2.0 will be announced using informational posts in the following Internet newsgroups:

    rec.arts.mystery rec.arts.movies.misc
    alt.cult-movies rec.arts.movies.current-films
    sci.psychology soc.culture.new-zealand
    alt.true-crime soc.culture.british
    rec.arts.movies.announce

The FAQ ver 2.0 will be posted to rec.arts.movies.misc inmanageable pieces (<128 KB), one time only, according to current plans. Future versions will be posted similarly, one time only.  Copies of the FAQ will be made available upon request (see 1.3).  There is currently no dedicated public archive site for "Heavenly Creatures" FAQ material. There are no graphics in version 2.0 of the FAQ. There is currently no World Wide Web site or home page dedicated to the FAQ ver 2.0 material. Volunteers? A copy of the FAQ ver 1.0 was made available on 1995/04/11 at the following WWW site by Ross Finlayson (thanks, Ross):

1.2 Highlights of new material in this release.

* major corrections/additions to FAQ portion, including:

- description and analysis of prologue and epilogue

- background information about Christchurch in the 50s

- background info. on school life, esp. info. about CGHS

- analysis of scenes related to the girls' relationship

- analysis of ship scenes and other dreams and symbols

- analysis of music

- pop culture references

- more complete listing of errors and omissions

- comparison between the film and real life

- complete credits

* updated biographical material for Rieper/Parkers, Hulmes

* corrected and greatly expanded time line (unavailable

elsewhere)

* greatly expanded quotations from diaries and writings

* key articles by Medlicott, Glamuzina & Laurie

* information on "Daughters of Heaven" by Forster

* information about and preliminary discussion of "Parker &

Hulme" by Glamuzina & Laurie

1.3 Contacting the FAQ compiler.

PLEASE DON'T send copies of the FAQ back in email replies!!!

Please DO refer to version number, section titles and section
numbers if you have comments, additions or suggestions.

Copies of the FAQ can be sent out by request. If you have trouble
getting the FAQ from rec.arts.movies.misc or have special needs,
other arrangements might be possible. Contact the FAQ compiler at
the following snailmail address:

Dr John D Porter
1742 Spruce St. #23
Berkeley CA 94709
USA

or at:

jdporter@belfast.cchem.berkeley.edu

US residents can obtain a copy of the FAQ ver 2.0 as simple DOS ASCII text files (readable by PC or Mac into any commercial editor or word processor) by sending two 3 1/2" 1.44 MB floppy discs in a stamped (sufficient postage), self-addressed envelope to the snailmail address above. New Zealand residents faced with exorbitant Internet connection charges to download the FAQ ver 2.0 can get a copy on floppy discs, too. Put sufficient NZ postage on your self-addressed envelope and I'll mail FAQs back in batches to NZ, on your discs, for re-mailing domestically.

The FAQ compiler is also willing to trade for free copies of the mFAQ. If you have anecdotes, artifacts, photos, personal stories or recollections, newspaper clippings or copies, copies of articles etc. etc. -- anything new and relevant to the FAQ -- get in touch with the FAQ compiler for a FREEBIE copy of the FAQ. As an added incentive for joining the ranks of FAQ contributors, contributors to the FAQ database will receive the most recently updated version-in-progress > 2.0, incorporating their new material (and the material contributed by others), unavailable to the general public. I am especially interested in getting the items I have listed in section 1.5 and background information on Dr Henry Hulme, Hilda Marion Hulme/Perry and Honora Parker from residents in the U.K. who are willing to "enter into the spirit mof the thing greatly" and do a bit of digging at Cambridge, Manchester, Birmingham, Southport, Greenwich and Liverpool (and Aldermaston). And, as always, I am very keen to hear from New Zealanders with background information and from Kiwis also willing to do a little digging in libraries and archives.

I am also more than willing to enter into "completely off the record" discussions about "Heavenly Creatures" and the "Parker Hulme" case. Everything crossing my desk has not gone into the FAQ, of course. Drop me a line.

1.4 Submitting information for the FAQ.

Updated versions of the "Heavenly Creatures" FAQ are planned, but release will be very infrequent. If you would like to submit information for a future version of the FAQ, or if you would just like to pass along or share information on the case, please drop me a line at the above snailmail address.

The Table of Contents appears in the short first piece of the posted FAQ. Please refer to version number and section number if possible when submitting material for the FAQ.

Unsolicited submissions (and informal discussion) are welcomed.

Submit material for editing and inclusion in the FAQ (or for off- the-record discussion) to my snailmail address above. All FAQ material obtained from private discussion has been included by permission. That would continue to be the policy in any future versions of the FAQ.

Some sections of the FAQ cover controversial issues for which there can be no one 'answer.' In those cases, especially, the FAQ compiler tried to reflect breadth of opinion as well as consensus in the FAQ entries. Discussion of FAQ-bound material in relevant newsgroups prior to submission is encouraged, of course.

1.5 Requests for input and assistance.

Although only infrequent future updates of the FAQ are planned, here are some things that could still be clarified/added:

* Errors and omissions in version 2.0, both for "Heavenly Creatures" and the "Parker Hulme" case.

* Analysis of foreshadowing, allusion, themes, symbolism and technique in "Heavenly Creatures." (I made a start...)

* Other art, especially epigrams and short quotes, that touch on related themes, for the new section 6.

* Other written works related to or based upon the "Parker Hulme" case, even if unpublished. I have heard mention of some unpublished plays, screenplays and novels and would like to find out more and get in touch with the authors.

* 'Insider' contributions & corrections from New Zealanders: anecdotes, reminiscences, Christchurch newspaper clippings, "Canata" clippings, photos, info about the Royal Tour of '53-4 etc. Informal communication not for FAQ incorporation is also welcomed, of course.

* More information about Henry Hulme's academic and administrative career at Liverpool and in New Zealand, at Canterbury College. I would like to compile a complete, official Curriculum Vitae and publication list for Dr Hulme.

* More background information on Honora Mary Parker and her parents and family. Digging in Birmingham records might yield important information. So little is known about Honora Parker. I have yet to find a single picture of her, for instance, and even her birth date isn't known.

* Background material listed in section 7 that hasn't been obtained yet. There are some publications only available readily in Australasia. Also, I don't have access to "Who's Who" 1951, so can't get the listing for Rev. J. Reavley, Hilda Hulme's father, on p. 117. He did not make it into "Who Was Who," unfortunately.

* Description and analysis of Anne Perry's fiction, a listing of the characters in her novels and biosketches of them, discussion of recurring themes, especially loyalty, honour, obligation, personal freedom, social pressure, and description of the crimes etc. for section 7.11.

* Analysis, opinions and speculation concerning the real case, especially psychological aspects.

1.6 Acknowledgements.

Versions 0.1 - 2.0 were prepared by John D Porter, who wishes to thank, first, the many anonymous contributors of discussion and analysis who stimulated and helped shape the entries marked [jp].

Many sincere thanks for material contributed by:
Movie DataBase [MDB] [filmographies]
Adam Abrams [aa] [Can press kit, music, credits info, analysis]
Arlene [a] [music info]
Gabe Baker [gb] [music info]
Christopher Beckett [cb] [Mason film info]
Henk Beentje [hb] [Biggles info]
Paul Bickerstaff [pb] [Christchurch info]
John Bierman [jb] [Perry quotes, background, book info]
Wynter Blathwayt [wb] [3YA, credits info, HC crew anecdotes]
Sandra Bowdler [sb] [background, Perry, crew, Jackson, soundtrack info, analysis]
Merle Colebrook [mc] [NZ school, ChCh Girls' High School, background info]
Angela Davies [ad] [Ilam, HR Hulme info]
ebenke [e] [Biggles info]
Howard Edwards [he] [NZ geography]
Sarah Ettritch [se] [Jackson, background, book, Perry info]
Marsha K Fearing [mkf] [background, book, Perry, Winslet info]
Michaelanne Forster [mf] ["Daughters of Heaven," background info]
Glamuzina&Laurie [G&L] [authoritative book, see 7.7.6]
Eric Gregersen [eg] [analysis]
Carrie S Hafer [csh] [Biggles info]
William Hanselman [wh] [music info]
Diana K Harkness [dkh] [music info]
Jane EB Harrison [jebh] [NZ film info]
Steve Haynes [sh] [music info]
Karen Hedelund [kh] [Perry info]
Paul Henry [ph] [background info]
Ben Hoffman [bh] [Miramax info]
Miranda Kaye [mk] [background, Dr HHulme, NZ film info, G&L]
Doug Johnston [dj] [music info]
Janet Leary [jl] [Ilam info]
Justine Lee [jlee] [ChCh Girls' High School info]
Ali Lemer [dp] [analysis]
John Mackin [jwwm] ["Daughters of Heaven," Perry info,
G&L analysis]
Nancy Marth [nm] [soundtrack & Perry info]
Margaret Mayman [mm] [NZ school info]
Jim McLennan [jm] [Jackson info]
Miramax Films [Mir] [US press kit]
Lilah A Moore [lam] [med and psych background info]
Anne Perry [ap] [anecdotes]
Karl Reinsch [kr] [music info]
Luisa F Ribeiro [lfr] [music & film analysis, Perry,
credits, script, soundtrack info]
Paula Salamone [ps] [Perry book info]
Andrew Salmond [as] [Jackson info]
Monica Smith [ms] [Perry book info]
Cedrick Stalpers [cs] [music info]
Elliott Swanson [es] [music info]
Harold Underdown [hu] [Biggles info]
usman [u] [Biggles info]
Lyndon Watson [lw] [NZ school, NZ and ChCh info]
Lee Whitman [lw] [music info]
MC Wilson [mcw] [NZ press, PYP & Jackson info]
Michael Witbrock [mw] [NZ geog]
Cho Yan Wong [cyw] [filmography]
Margaret Wong [maw] [NZ, ChCh, ChCh Girls' High School,
Templeton, Rieper info]
Michael Woodhams [mw] [NZ school info]

The numerous contributors to the "Other films dealing with murderous children," section 6.2, and "Other films dealing with similar school themes," section 6.3, are listed separately in those sections.

[your name could be here, too...]