An arrogant and unorthodox teacher returns as principal to the idyllic high school from which he had earlier been fired to find it a den of drug abuse, gang violence, and urban despair. Eventually he is successful but unorthodox methods lead to a clash with city officials that threatens to undo all his efforts. Based on a true story.Written by
Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
The real-life Joe Clark resigned as principal of Eastside High School shortly after the film was released. Around the time the film debuted, he was suspended by the school board for one week, after scheduling an assembly in which dancers stripped down to their G-strings. Clark said he hadn't known about it in advance. Ironically, the man who suspended him was Dr. Frank Napier. After Clark left Eastside, he became an author, and motivational speaker. In 1995, he was hired to run a juvenile detention center in Newark, New Jersey, a position he held until he resigned in 2002. During his time there, he once again came under fire for his controversial methods. See more »
Goofs
The film portrays Joe Clark as becoming the principal of Eastside High School for its 1987-88 school year. In reality Clark became principal in 1982 and remained there until shortly after the film was released in 1989. See more »
Quotes
Dr. Frank Napier:
Did you see this yet?
[holding up newspaper story about Clark's fight with a former student]
Dr. Frank Napier:
You know, a lot of your shit comes down on my head.
Joe Clark:
Oh, Frank! Look, this is...
Dr. Frank Napier:
No, You let me talk! It's like you're a big bird with radar and I'm tired of getting hit!
Joe Clark:
Th... this is my fault?
Dr. Frank Napier:
This is nothing! I've got union lawyers threatening me and there's talk of a walk-out!
Joe Clark:
Well, let 'em! They're not doing anything down there anyway!
Dr. Frank Napier:
It is your job to...
Joe Clark:
None of them have a personal stake at that school! ...
[...] See more »
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, and Robert Guillaume.
A man is assigned principle of a broken-down inner-city school. Nobody thinks he will last there. But, Joe isn't going to take that and will try his best to improve that school.
This movie should've gotten Academy Award nods. Freeman's performance alone was unbelieveable. It should've been nominated for Actor and Picture.
Overall the movie is a fantastic film and shows the true story of Joe Clark.
15 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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****
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, and Robert Guillaume.
A man is assigned principle of a broken-down inner-city school. Nobody thinks he will last there. But, Joe isn't going to take that and will try his best to improve that school.
This movie should've gotten Academy Award nods. Freeman's performance alone was unbelieveable. It should've been nominated for Actor and Picture.
Overall the movie is a fantastic film and shows the true story of Joe Clark.