Class of 1984 (1982)

A new teacher at a troubled inner-city high school soon ends up clashing with the delinquent leader of a punk posse that runs the school.

Director:

Mark L. Lester (as Mark Lester)

Writers:

Tom Holland (story), Mark L. Lester (screenplay) (as Mark Lester)

Stars:

Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Perry King	...	Andrew Norris
Merrie Lynn Ross	...	Diane Norris
Timothy Van Patten	...	Peter Stegman
Roddy McDowall	...	Terry Corrigan
Stefan Arngrim	...	Drugstore
Michael J. Fox	...	Arthur (as Michael Fox)
Keith Knight	...	Barnyard
Lisa Langlois	...	Patsy
Neil Clifford	...	Fallon
Al Waxman	...	Detective Stewiski
Erin Noble	...	Deneen (as Erin Flannery)
David Gardner	...	Principal Morganthau
Steve Pernie	...	Rejack
Robert Reece	...	Leroy
Joseph Kelly	...	Jimmy

Storyline

There's something strange going on at the graffiti-covered Lincoln High, as teachers are carrying loaded guns, and the students have to walk through a metal detector before they enter the classroom. Before long, the school's new music teacher, Andrew Norris, will learn firsthand that it's even worse than it looks, as the drug-plagued institution is the territory of the charismatic Peter Stegman and his brutal gang of crazed followers. Now, under those dire circumstances, it's only a matter of time before the professor and the pupil lock horns, with unforeseen consequences. But, do drastic times call for drastic measures? In the end, is there a cure for violence?

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Plot Keywords:

high school | sadism | violence | husband wife relationship | weapon | 

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Taglines:

Look at us. We are the future. You can't stop us. Don't even try.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Weaver was originally offered the role of Terry Corrigan, but turned it down as being too violent.

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Goofs

When the thug climbs up the flag pole, he is alternately holding/not holding the flag in his hands.

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Quotes

[Patsy taunts Andy]
Patsy: Come and get it, teacher teacher!
[kiss kiss kiss; chuckles]

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Alternate Versions

In the scene just after Terry Corrigan was killed in the car crash, Mr Norris's wife says "It's going to be real hard for Ellen to except Terry's death". In the original Australian video version, (out on Roadshow Video) that is the first words said in the next scene. In the DVD version, the scene starts with Mr Norris saying, "I was amazed at how many kids were there at the funeral" then Mr Norris's wife says "It's gonna be real hard for Ellen to except Terry's death".

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Connections

References High School Confidential! (1958)

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Soundtracks

I Am the Future
Music by Lalo Schifrin
Lyrics by Gary Osborne
Performed by Alice Cooper
Produced by Steve Tyrell

User Reviews

Violent and crude movie about a bunch of cruel teens who terrorize the entire school and a teacher seeks vengeance

Strong as well as brutal entertainment , set in the near future , and dealing with Andy (Perry King , he was the first and only actor considered for the role) , a man happily married to a pregnant wife called Diane (Merrie Lynn Ross) . He is a new music teacher who has his own ideas of discipline . He goes to work at an inner city high school that is like nothing he has ever seen before , as he must face off a motley crew of adolescents in the classroom . Ring leader is a student psychopath (Timothy Van Patten) , a baddie who doesn't seem human , he leads his groupies on a reign of terror through the high school halls . Meanwhile , a teacher (Roddy MacDowall , though Dennis Weaver was originally offered the role but turned it down as being too violent, and this character was inspired by several true stories of school violence director had read about in papers) has brought a gun to class to control his students . There takes place some murders and a police inspector (Al Waxman) starts investigating with no results . The ominous group carries out a gang rape , then the music teacher pull off his vendetta leading to an ever higher body count . As a high school teacher determines to enforce law and order by using all kind of means , including torture and killing . Class of 1984 , is this the future?

Well-remembered violent school drama from the eighties in which teenager gangs terrorize the entire high school and surroundings executing crimes and murders at random . This nasty as well as thoughtless film contains thrills , chills , intense drama , high body count and lots of violence . In fact , due to the films violent content Lester had a difficult time getting a US distributor for the film, though overseas numerous distributors bought the film and made it quite successful abroad . Upset at the violent content after a screening, screenwriter Barry Schneider had his name taken off the credits as a screenwriter of the final film . This is a bloody and gory remake update of ¨Blackboard jungle¨ (1955) . Nice acting by Perry King as an idealistic teacher in a slum area who fights doggedly to dominate his unruly students . Special mention to Timothy Van Patten playing as one of the worst villains of the cinema history and a brief role by subsequently famous Michael J Fox . As nearly every shot of Timothy Van Patten is done from a low angle, to make him more threatening. The picture achieved great success and some theaters showed the film on double bill with 'The Road Warrior (1981)' . Evocative cinematography , though a perfect remastering is urgent . Director of photography Albert J. Dunk was hired by Mark L. Lester after Lester saw his work in the film Incubus (1981). Thrilling and creaking musical score by Lalo Schifrin with initial song by Alice Cooper . The motion picture was professionally directed by Mark L Lester, who he calls this his best film . Being shot in 45 days and he cited 'Clockwork Orange (1971)' as the films biggest influence .

The original picture dealing with a teacher fighting students and violent confrontation in the classroom was ¨Blackboard jungle¨ (1955) by Richard Brooks with Glenn Ford , Anne Francis , Louis Calhern , Sidney Poitier , Vic Morrow , Paul Mazurski ; it was followed by this ¨Class of 84¨ by Mark L Lester ; continued by ¨Class of 1999¨ by Mark Lester with Malcolm McDowell , Bradley Gregg , Tracy Lind , Stacy Keach , Pam Grier , Patrick Kilpatrick ; and another sequel titled ¨Class of 1992¨ by Spiro Razatos with Sasha Mitchell , Nick Cassavetes ,and Richard Hill .

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Class of 1984

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$4,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Guerilla High Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1