Guns of the Trees 1961

Overview

Guns of the Trees is a 1961 American black-and-white drama film directed by Jonas Mekas. The production marks the first feature film released by the director, who was known for his work in film criticism and screening initiatives. The narrative follows two young couples, identified as Barbara and Gregory, played by Frances Stillman and Adolfas Mekas, and Argus and Ben, portrayed by Argus Spear Juillard and Ben Carruthers. The story centers on Barbara, a young woman consumed by despair who contemplates suicide. A man she encounters in a church and a married couple attempt to persuade her that life remains worth living. Mekas weaves this intimate drama into a broader reflection on alienation, politics, and the turbulence of early 1960s America. The film is characterized by a fragmented narrative, discontinuous editing, and the insertion of unusual imagery, reflecting the director’s efforts to explore new methods of storytelling through cinema. The film has a runtime of one hour and twenty-five minutes and was released in the United States on February 28, 1961.