School Ties (1992)

Set in the 1950s, a star-quarterback is given an opportunity to attend an elite preparatory school but must conceal the fact that he is Jewish.

Director:

Robert Mandel

Writers:

Dick Wolf (story), Dick Wolf (screenplay)

Stars:

Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brendan Fraser	...	David Greene
Matt Damon	...	Charlie Dillon
Chris O'Donnell	...	Chris Reece
Randall Batinkoff	...	Rip Van Kelt
Andrew Lowery	...	'Mack' McGivern
Cole Hauser	...	Jack Connors
Ben Affleck	...	Chesty Smith
Anthony Rapp	...	Richard 'McGoo' Collins
Amy Locane	...	Sally Wheeler
Peter Donat	...	Headmaster Dr. Bartram
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Mr. Cleary
Kevin Tighe	...	Coach McDevitt
Michael Higgins	...	Mr. Gierasch
Ed Lauter	...	Alan Greene
Peter McRobbie	...	Chaplain

Storyline

David Greene is brought into a prestigious 1950s school to help their football team to beat the school's old rivals. David, however, is from a working class background, so he isn't really "one of them", but he's very successful at making friends. David is a Jew, and has to keep this a secret from his friends for fear of being rejected.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | school | 1950s | jew | athlete | 

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Taglines:

Just Because You're Accepted Doesn't Mean You Belong.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew French

Release Date:

18 September 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broderskabets bånd

Filming Locations:

Acton, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,020,071, 20 September 1992, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$14,715,067

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Parts of the film were shot in Lowell, Massachusetts.

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Goofs

In the dance in the school gym, one of the wall decorations is a Gone with the Wind poster designed for the 1960s re-release of that film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Joyce: Davey! Davey you're here.
[big hug]
Jack Connors: He's not going off to war, only Massachusetts, huh?

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Nude Fight Scenes (2012)

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Soundtracks

Let Me Go Lover
by Jenny Lou Carson, Kathleen G. Twomey, Fred Wise and Benjamin Weisman
Performed by Patti Page
Courtesy of Polygram Special Products
by arrangement with Polygram Group Distribution, Inc.

User Reviews

" It is for the honor I must turn you in. Saving myself is a bonus "

Every fine Eastern school has some old traditions. When selecting a college or University which will eventually become your Alma Matter, it become doubly prestigious. Therein, too are the seeds of bigotry, racism and often as not antisemitism. This story written by Dick Wolf and directed by Robert Mandel is a fine addition to so many others which bring out the often buried hatred of classmates whom we so often considered our most steadfast friends. This then is the story of David Greene (Brendan Fraser) who selected as his best friend Charlie Dillon (Matt Damon). Together they strive to make their way through the school year. However, even though they share the hardships and principals of the rigors of the school, theirs is also a tenuous friendship based on wealth and social standing. Both of which are prerequisites for social acceptance. When Dillion's envy of his best friend gets the better of him, he uses any means to right what he believes to be his share of the school popularity. Chris O'Donnell, Ben Affleck and Kevin Tighe round out the cast. The movie is exceptional for exposing what many schools lack the courage to do. Further, the combination of it's cast insure this will become a Classic, for the young actors. ****