Why Shoot the Teacher? (1977)

In the 1930's, Max Brown is an urban young man from an Eastern province, fresh from college, whose only job offer is in a one-room school house in the Canadian prairie. At first he's ... See full summary »

Director:

Silvio Narizzano

Writers:

James Defelice (screenplay), Max Braithwaite (based on the book "Why Shoot The Teacher" by)

Stars:

Bud Cort, Samantha Eggar, Chris Wiggins

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bud Cort	...	Max Brown
Samantha Eggar	...	Alice Field
Chris Wiggins	...	Lyle Bishop
Gary Reineke	...	Harris Montgomery
John Friesen	...	Dave McDougall
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Bert Field
Kenneth Griffith	...	Inspector Woods
Scott Swan	...	Dan Trowbridge
Merrilyn Gann	...	Sheila Barnes
Norma West	...	Mrs. Bishop
Margery Hill	...	Mrs. Montgomery
Joanne McNeal	...	Mrs. McDougall
George Gwin	...	Dance Caller
Doug Blake	...	Percy Garfield
Alan Stebbings	...	Lester Sinclair

Storyline

In the 1930's, Max Brown is an urban young man from an Eastern province, fresh from college, whose only job offer is in a one-room school house in the Canadian prairie. At first he's distant, superior, lonely, and bewildered; his students are rebellious. Over the course of the year, he is drawn to Alice Field, the wife of a farmer, in a love that can lead nowhere. But, he and his students connect, a connection that matters and lasts.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | punctuation in title | question in title | tragicomedy | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, language, some violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Man schießt nicht auf den Lehrer

Filming Locations:

Hanna, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 810,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fraser Films, Lancer Productions Limited, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Inspector Wood: This should be an easy one. What is the capital of Canada?
Inspector Wood: [pointing to a student in the classroom] Yes, boy.
Charlie Mc Dougall: [standing to attention] The capital of Canada is C.

User Reviews

A humourous, entertaining slice of life in the Canadian Dust Bowl

The film WHY SHOOT THE TEACHER? stars American Bud Cort, star of many Robert Altman classics, and British actress Samantha Eggar. Other than that, the film is truly Canadian. The story, based on the autobiography of Max Braithwaite, is a humourous, entertaining slice of life in the Canadian Dust Bowl. It's as good as any other film to clearly show the extent that the Great Depression had in rural communities. The production, cast, props, etc., make this an excellent period piece of the 1930s. Many of the co-stars are amateurs but this only emphasizes the realism of the picture. Overall, if you need to show someone a video about the Great Depression, and you don't have access to THE GRAPES OF WRATH, then WHY SHOOT THE TEACHER? will be a worthy substitute.