Elephant (2003)

Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writer:

Gus Van Sant

Stars:

Elias McConnell, Alex Frost, Eric Deulen

8 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alex Frost	...	Alex
Eric Deulen	...	Eric
John Robinson	...	John McFarland
Elias McConnell	...	Elias
Jordan Taylor	...	Jordan
Carrie Finn	...	Carrie (as Carrie Finklea)
Nicole George	...	Nicole
Brittany Mountain	...	Brittany
Alicia Miles	...	Acadia
Kristen Hicks	...	Michelle
Bennie Dixon	...	Benny
Nathan Tyson	...	Nathan
Timothy Bottoms	...	Mr. McFarland
Matt Malloy	...	Mr. Luce
Ellis Williams	...	GSA Teacher (as Ellis E. Williams)

Storyline

A day in the lives of a group of average teenage high school students. The film follows every character and shows their daily routines. However two of the students plan to do something that the student body won't forget.

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Plot Keywords:

violence | teenager | mass murder | high school shooting | held at gunpoint | 

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Taglines:

An ordinary high school day. Except that it's not.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, language, brief sexuality and drug use - all involving teens

Did You Know?

Trivia

The school this was filmed at (Whitaker Middle School, formerly Adams High School in Portland, OR) was torn down in 2007 due to asbestos and black mold. The school had already been shut down when the film was shot.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the film, when John tells his dad that he wants to take over driving he walks over to the drivers side of the car. When he opens the door to get his dad out, 2 members of the crew can be seen in the reflection of the wing mirror.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. McFarland: What? Hey! Where are you going? Come here.
John McFarland: Oh, my God, Dad.
Mr. McFarland: Get in the car. You're gonna be late for school. Come on.
John McFarland: Mom's gonna kill you.

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Connections

Featured in Beyond Clueless (2014)

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Soundtracks

Supernal Infinite Space (Kawabata) Waikiki Easy Meat (Mano)
Written and Performed by Acid Mothers Temple and The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.
Courtesy of Resonant / Static Caravan Records

User Reviews

What was the point of that then?

This film was a total waste of my time and yours. It certainly does NOT deserve the high ratings that it currently has (7.4). Let me explain...

It is mindless piece of film with no storyline or substance what so ever. for 45 minutes of the 80 it follows the backs of peoples heads around whilst they wander around their school (without any purpose!!??) and then there is the unforgivable and forgettable dialogue for the rest of it.

There is no imagination for the basis of the film, for goodness sake, you only have to turn on the news if you want to watch this sort of depressing reality! This is exactly the sort of film that will encourage copy cat behaviour because of the mindlessness it eminates...and will the finger be pointed here? I doubt it, but it should be!

The acting is NOT acting but people who look like they have stolen a camera for the day and are experimenting for the first time. The film culminates in a few people being shot with a couple of the characters' new gun.

Please, there is enough insanity in this world with out you wasting your time and brain cells trying to find any meaning in this instantly forgettable, depressing waste of perfectly good blank DVD's!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

14 November 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elephant

Filming Locations:

Whitaker Middle School, 5700 NE 39th, Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$93,356, 26 October 2003

Gross USA:

$1,266,955

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,012,022

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Fine Line Features, Meno Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1