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The Tenth Level

  • TV Movie
  • 1976
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
251
YOUR RATING
The Tenth Level (1976)
Drama

Inspired by Stanley Milgram's obedience research, psych professor Stephen Turner studies why people follow orders and hurt others. He is alarmed to see how much pain the students can be goad... Read allInspired by Stanley Milgram's obedience research, psych professor Stephen Turner studies why people follow orders and hurt others. He is alarmed to see how much pain the students can be goaded to inflict in the name of science.Inspired by Stanley Milgram's obedience research, psych professor Stephen Turner studies why people follow orders and hurt others. He is alarmed to see how much pain the students can be goaded to inflict in the name of science.

  • Director
    • Charles S. Dubin
  • Writer
    • George Bellak
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Lynn Carlin
    • Ossie Davis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    251
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles S. Dubin
    • Writer
      • George Bellak
    • Stars
      • William Shatner
      • Lynn Carlin
      • Ossie Davis
    • 16User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

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    Top cast22

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    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Prof. Stephen Turner
    Lynn Carlin
    Lynn Carlin
    • Barbara
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • Ben Reed
    Viveca Lindfors
    Viveca Lindfors
    • Mrs. Schnagel
    Stephen Macht
    Stephen Macht
    • Dahlquist
    Lindsay Crouse
    Lindsay Crouse
    • Karen
    Estelle Parsons
    Estelle Parsons
    • Prof. Tanya Crossland
    Roy Poole
    Roy Poole
    • Dr. Goodman
    Mike Kellin
    Mike Kellin
    • Mancuso
    Richard McKenzie
    Richard McKenzie
    • Mr. Dennison
    Fred J. Scollay
    Fred J. Scollay
    • Dr. McBride
    Charles White
    Charles White
    • Harry Vogel
    Gregory Abels
    • Lab Technician
    Robert Burr
    Robert Burr
    • Mr. Hughes
    Tom Quinn
    • Bully in Bar
    Billie Lou Watt
    • Mrs. Carol
    Michael J. Howard
      Jeff Pomerantz
      Jeff Pomerantz
      • Professor
      • (as Jeffrey Pomerantz)
      • Director
        • Charles S. Dubin
      • Writer
        • George Bellak
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      User reviews16

      6.5251
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      Featured reviews

      9spencerthetracy

      UNBELIEVABLE! AND FANTASTIC!

      I saw this movie when I was 13 years old. I have not seen it since, but to this day, the movie keeps me emotionally gripped whenever I think about it. It well demonstrates what man is capable of doing to another man if pressured enough. William Shatner is absolutely, devilishly brilliant as the menacing doctor. I would love to see this movie again, so if someone knows how I may obtain a copy I would be terribly grateful.
      ssbng

      Wish there were more movies in this genre

      This made-for-TV movie is taken directly from the work of Dr. Stanley Milgram. Although much of Milgram's scientific methods are omitted in favor of dramatic content, the central point of the experiment remains true and very poignant. There is supposed to be a remake of this film which came out in 2005. I haven't seen it and the title eludes me (something like Atrocity?). However, like the subject matter of "The Tenth Level", there are many eye-popping discoveries in psychology which movies could exploit to lay naked the flaws and fallacies of human nature without Hollywood's melodrama making the case inane and useless to a public desperately in need of modern morality tales. The most wonderful thing about "The Tenth Level" was that it sought a higher ground instead of the formulaic boy-meets-girl, boy-saves-world, boy-gets-girl garbage. If there is any way you can see this film, it is well worth watching even if all you wish to see is what William Shatner did between Star Trek and T. J. Hooker.
      9deathmatch1

      Riveting, even 30 years later

      I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of The Tenth Level recently. I've watched it three times since then and it continues to chill my blood each time. Others I have shared this gem with have felt the same way. This is a story that works on many deep psychological levels, and sends a clear message which manages to transcend both time and the dated production values. This is truly a case where effective story-telling conquers all, and causes the viewer to forget they are watching something made on a shoestring budget 30 years ago. The story is cleverly woven in such a way that the viewer is compelled to put themselves in the place of the test subjects and left to wonder what choices they themselves would make. The real life statistics which are finally presented are absolutely frightening. If you ever have a chance to see this chilling glimpse into the human psyche, you MUST take advantage! You won't regret it.
      8Scott_Mercer

      Chilling, Disturbing, Mesmerizing

      Like the other commenters, I saw this as a child. I would have been 9 years old, but I still remember the shocking realization of the fact that this experiment reveals (depressingly) that most people are willing throw all their beliefs out the window and submit unquestioningly to authority.

      It's not easy to stand up to entrenched authority, with the only thing on your side the knowledge that righteousness is with you. What I took away from the film at such a young age was that peer pressure can be evil and should not be followed blindly; what's right is right, and that's that.

      I remember Shatner going over the top as usual, but somehow his assay of the evil doctor worked very well. Before the final twist was revealed, I was quite shocked that such a film would be shown; the main character of the film is ostensibly evil and making innocent people suffer for no good reason and is a sadist. I believe this was shot on video in a television studio; in spite of that extra added element of unreality, this production still effected me greatly.

      Highly recommended. If anyone reading this controls the rights to it, PLEASE RELEASE IT! You will sell many copies.
      10xenakiddle

      The Tenth Level Chilling to the Core

      I have been waiting to see The Tenth Level starring William Shatner again,myself. I have never been able to find it even though I have searched for it from time to time, although not for a few years now. This drama made an indelible mark on my psyche and I have never gotten it out of my mind since first seeing it when it originally aired back in the seventies. It was chilling to the core! I watched it alone and I recall it being in black and white though it's possible we only had a black and white set at the time. If someone has a copy of The Tenth Level for sale or rent, please advise on how I might be able to acquire a copy from you! I am glad to find others that also were struck by the brilliance of this production and that I am not the only one looking for it. Thank you very much. Victoria Perkins Crystal Lake, Illinois

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      Storyline

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      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Shot in 1975. The material was considered so controversial that none of the major CBS sponsors wanted to run their ads during the movie, so it languished on the shelf for nearly a year.
      • Connections
        Referenced in Hardcastle and McCormick: Ties My Father Sold Me (1984)

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      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 26, 1976 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Die zehnte Stufe
      • Filming locations
        • CBS Broadcast Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(Studio)
      • Production company
        • CBS Television Network
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 42 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.33 : 1

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