Detention: The Siege at Johnson High (1997) (TV)

Director:

Michael W. Watkins

Writer (WGA):

Larry Golin (written by)

Release Date:

19 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A former high school student, Jason Copeland, returns to his school to take his revenge on the teachers for failing him out of school. |

Plot Keywords:

School | Teacher | Revenge | Student | High School

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ricky Schroder	...	Jason Copeland (as Rick Schroder)
Freddie Prinze Jr.	...	Aaron Sullivan
Katie Wright	...	Samantha Eckert
Alexis Cruz	...	Frankie Rodriguez
Patrick Malone	...	Travis McGill
Pat Finn	...	Mr. Kroft
Troy Bryant	...	Matt Eckert
Renn Woods	...	Mrs. McGill (as Ren Woods)
Henry Winkler	...	Skip Fine
Michael Flynn	...	Sheriff Randall
Kip Niven	...	FBI Agent Brown
Curly Green	...	SWAT Commander Hansen
Christy Summerhays	...	Margaret Fine
Marcia Dangerfield	...	Mrs. Sullivan
Greg Kean	...	Deputy Manners
Steve Anderson	...	Principal Dresser
Lynne Van Dam	...	Miss Richards
Joey Miyashima	...	Mr. Braddock
Stephanie Allen	...	Miss Davis
Charles Metten	...	Mr. Milo
Matt Barker	...	Willie
Jacque Gray	...	Kathy
Andrew Noyes	...	Jimmy
Wendy Gardner	...	Diana
Rosie Hayes	...	Jennifer
Bryan Stewart	...	Lanky Kid
Shawn Nottingham	...	Deputy Thomas
Sandra Shotwell	...	Mimi Copeland
Peter Morse	...	SWAT Agent
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicola Bullock	...	Student
Courtney Bridgers	...	(uncredited)
Darby	...	Student Hostage (uncredited)
Dajon Young	...	Student Hostage (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael W. Watkins		(as Michael Watkins)

Writing credits (WGA)
Larry Golin		(written by)

Produced by
Lori Bradbard	....	associate producer
Bernadette Caulfield	....	co-producer
Linda Ferrero	....	associate producer
Joel Fields	....	executive producer
Ardythe Goergens	....	co-producer
Leonard Hill	....	executive producer
Matthew Loze	....	producer (as Matt Loze)
Steve Natt	....	producer

Original Music by
Brian Adler

Cinematography by
Bill Roe

Film Editing by
Peter B. Ellis

Casting by
Molly Lopata

Production Design by
Corey Kaplan		(as Corey H. Kaplan)

Art Direction by
Scott Arneman

Set Decoration by
Lori A. Noyes

Costume Design by
Kathleen A. Wildman

Makeup Department
Ann Montesanto	....	key hair stylist
Cheri Montesanto-Medcalf	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Bernadette Caulfield	....	unit production manager (as Bernie Caulfield)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Martha M. Elcan	....	first assistant director (as Martha Elcan)
Bob Lewis	....	second assistant director
Rean C. Luttrell	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Edward J. Borasch Jr.	....	property master (as Ed Borasch Jr.)
John Pollard	....	on-set dresser
Phil Tubach	....	lead man

Sound Department
George R. Groves Jr.	....	sound re-recording mixer (as George Groves)
Jeremy Hoenack	....	sound re-recording mixer
Rick Hromadka	....	sound editor
Rorie D. van Klaveren	....	utility sound technician
Ed White	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Michael Lambert	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Kathy Jarvis	....	stunts
Fenton Quinn	....	stunt coordinator
Fenton Quinn	....	stunts
Glade Quinn	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
David J. Butkovich	....	key grip
John J. Ellingwood	....	first assistant camera (as John Ellingwood)
Sean P. Fickert	....	grip
Seth Kotok	....	film loader
Jono Kouzouyan	....	gaffer
Dennis J. Laine	....	camera operator
Brian Louks	....	electrician

Casting Department
Rosalind Soulam	....	location casting

Editorial Department
Steven Lang	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Ruth Bird	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Hedy Phil Balani	....	driver generator operator
Geno Hart	....	transportation coordinator
Glenn Knowlton	....	transportation captain
Ken Plumlee	....	transportation captain
Christian G. Ervin	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Eric Adams	....	production associate
Martin T Askamp	....	security officer
Sheralyn Austin-Gagne	....	assistant: Mr. Hill
Jennifer Cobb	....	production associate
Carey Jones	....	assistant production coordinator
Gloria Kirkwood	....	production associate
Cynthia Matzger	....	production assistant
Mark Merrall	....	location coordinator
Christine Moore	....	script supervisor
William Sell	....	production coordinator (as Bill Sell)
Mike Staheli	....	set medic
Ted Ross Stock	....	assistant: Mr. Fields
Tom Williams	....	location manager
Timothy Winteringham	....	production associate

Production Companies

• Hill/Fields Entertainment
• Natt Loze Films

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1997) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Other Companies

• Redman Movies and Stories  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

"Hostage High" - USA (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence

Runtime:

93 min | Germany:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Jordan High School - 95 Beetdigger Blvd., Sandy, Utah, USA

Company:

Hill/Fields Entertainment

Trivia:

The movie is based on the real-life story of Eric Houston, who went on a rampage at his former high school in Olivehurst, California, in 1992.

Excellent film

I'm not one for the movie-of-the-week genre, but this film was surprisingly good, and it's not only for the reason that Freddie Prinze Jr. is one of my favorie actors.

Shortly before Christmas, Jason Copeland (Rick Schroeder) decides to take out his pent-up revenge on Johnson High School, which he failed out of a year earlier. He enters the school heavily armed and begins firing shots, with no intention to kill anyone, and takes 80 students hostage in the music room. One of them Aaron Sullivan, is a troubled student, much like Jason, who soon becomes the middleman to Jason and makeshift hostage negotiator/small town cop/unlikely hero Skip Fine (Henry Winkler, in one of his many great performances). Aaron must speak to Skip on the phone, explain Jason's demands, and keep his classmates alive. He'll be a hero if he can accomplish these tasks, but can Skip help him to break through to Jason?

The performances in this film are exceptional for a TV-movie. At times, I found myself huddling up, especially the part when Jason puts the gun to a crying Samantha's (Katie Wright) head. He forces lookouts into the hallway, and insists that a cop entering the school or a student fleeing will result in bloodshed. I was so scared every time a student fled going to the bathroom. I was particularly freaked out when Darren, the sole African-American student, was killed being selfless by protecting a classmate. My heart skipped a beat as his determined, hysterical mother tried to find out of Darren was alive. We also saw glimpses of Aaron's scared mother, hoping that her son stays one step ahead of Jason to keep himself and his classmates alive. Freddie Prinze Jr. puts on an incredible performance, and looked so young (he still does). He was only about 20 years old then (my age), and I'm glad a better hairstyle was forthcoming for him. Henry Winkler is a great actor, and he's just the kind of unlikely hero you'd expect. In my opinion, casting on his part was a great decision.

If you like true-life dramas (this was based on reality), and like to see an unlikely individual prevail, then this is a great movie for you. It's well-written and smart, and you'll be left cheering for Prinze and Winkler. Rick Schroeder also puts on a great performance, and can scare and shake up the most unnerved person (myself included). If you can find this movie at your video store, definitely pick it up.