The Substitute (1996)

Director:

Robert Mandel

Writers (WGA):

Roy Frumkes (written by) &
Rocco Simonelli (written by) ...

Release Date:

19 April 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

He has a lesson to teach. And nobody's going to have a problem with it.

Plot:

After a botched mission in Cuba, professional mercenary Shale and his crew Joey Six, Hollan, Rem, and Wellman head home to Miami...

Plot Keywords:

Thrown Through Window | Gun | Mercenary | Murder | Drugs

Cast

Tom Berenger	...	Jonathan Shale
Raymond Cruz	...	Joey Six
William Forsythe	...	Hollan
Luis Guzmán	...	Rem
Richard Brooks	...	Wellman
Ana Azcuy	...	TV Announcer
Diane Venora	...	Jane Hetzko
Glenn Plummer	...	Mr. Darrell Sherman
Sharron Corley	...	Jerome Brown
Vincent Laresca	...	Rodriguez
Maurice Compte	...	Tay
Marc Anthony	...	Juan Lacas
Ernie Hudson	...	Principal Claude Rolle
Beau Weaver	...	Janus Showreel Narrator
Cliff De Young	...	Matt Wolfson

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:R | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | Germany:18 | Iceland:16 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Company:

Dinamo Entertainment

Trivia:

The movie was shot during the summer months and kids enrolled in summer classes were extras on the film. Free Papa John's pizza was served to anyone who would stay after school.

Goofs:

Continuity: Paddle behind Rollie's desk is broken by Rollie and later seen unbroken behind him.

Quotes:

Mr. Darrell Sherman: Rolle was a cop. He knows the law.
Hannah Dillon: Yeah, that's right Darrell, you keep the faith.

Movie Connections:

References "Candid Camera" (1948)

Not high art, but you gotta enjoy teachers putting it to the punks!

"The Substitute" is not high art. Ebert reviewed it as a serious film and gave it a very negative review. But as a B-movie where the teachers get revenge, the bad guy dope-peddling punks and principal get their due, it is a virtual "The Patriot" for the high school system. You can't help but smile and root and rejoice when punk after punk gets thrown out the upper floor window by Beringer while the principal relaxes in his office, assuming the punks will prevail.

Beringer plays a mercenary who becomes the substitute when the real teacher is injured by the punks. With his background in covert operations, and his support network, the punks are no match for him. I've seen it several times on network TV, its one of those films I just can't stop watching. Roy Frumkes, who wrote each of the "Substitute" movies wasn't trying to create a classic, just fun entertainment. In a personal communication he said, " Not only did that film surprise everyone by doing as well as it did, but when it came time for the three sequels, my contract was worded so that they couldn't get rid of me!" Thus providing his retirement fund. Hey! some people win the lottery. His was a different kind of lottery.

I like "The Substitute" a lot. I think Roy Frumkes is a classy guy. It is destined to be one of those cult films that lasts much longer than logic says it should.