Clase 1984

On the arrival as a replacement music teacher in a dangerous high school, Andrew Norris (Perry King) befriends his colleague Terry Corrigan (Roddy McDowall). The veteran teacher advises Andrew to overlook what the students do, but Andrew clashes with the seventeen year-old delinquent Peter Stegman (Timothy Van Patten), who is the leader of a violent gang that deals with drugs and prostitution and intimidate the other students. While trying to get evidence to arrest Stegman, Andrew organizes an orchestra with talented students. But the reaction of Stegman and his gangsters put in danger Andrew and his pregnant wife Diane Norris (Merrie Lynn Ross).

"Class of 1984" is a 1982 film that foresees the situation of many schools in the present day. The violence in the early 80´s seemed to be exaggerated but unfortunately has become reality. The performances are believable and the conclusion is satisfactory. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Os Donos do Amanhã" ("The Owners of Tomorrow")

One of the great exploitation films of all time built equally off mainstream society's inherent mistrust of youth culture and a complete misunderstanding of the causes of criminality. To Sir, With Love meet Death Wish. Memorable performances by Roddy McDowell and a young Michael J. Fox add to the cult cache of this intentionally shocking, explicit and problematic classic.

The 1980s were a bit of a let down after the 1970s for exploitation fans, but there were a few gems released alongside the 'Risky Business's and 'Mr.Mom's. 'Chained Heat' and 'The Exterminator' immediately spring to mind, and 'Class Of 1984' is another. This movie has got it all - a cheesy theme sung by Alice Cooper, a high school terrorized by drug dealing punks, a classic sequence where a square student, high on something or other, decides to salute the flag... at the top of the flagpole... plus a bit with rabbits which I won't spoil. TV regular Perry King, no stranger to exploitation movies (see 'Mandingo'), plays a new and idealistic music teacher. He is befriended by another teacher, the cynical secret drinker Roddy McDowall ('Planet Of The Apes'), who tries to wise him up. Future 'Sopranos' writer/director Timothy Van Patten plays Stegman who sells drugs to his classmates, and leads a ruthless gang of hoods. When King tries to break Stegman's hold on the school he enters into a world of pain. This is a silly but hugely entertaining pile of trash. Be sure to keep an eye out for Michael J. Fox in one of his earliest roles, as a horn playing dweeb. Director Mark Lester eventually made a sequel in name only 'Class Of 1999', but it was disappointing and silly sci fi nonsense about robot teachers. I can't recommend that one but 'Class Of 1984' is classic beer'n'pizza material that will be enjoyed by any fans of nasty b-grade exploitation.

"Life is pain. Pain is everything. You will learn."

On its release 25 years ago, Class of 1984 was criticised for being too far fetched. Few critics could buy into director Mark Lester's ultra-violent vision of kids taking weapons into classrooms or schools fitted out with metal detectors.

Lester intended his flick as a wake up call to America about increasing levels of school violence. While Columbine may have proved that Lester's vision didn't go quite far enough, he sure as hell knows how to create the perfect B-movie.

Brutal, fast and fun, such outrageously violent scenes as Andy cutting off a gang member's arm with a circular saw or burning another pupil alive ensured that Class of 1984 was heavily cut and even banned in numerous countries (recent R2 and R1 releases are fully uncut).

Lester has claimed that he introduced America to punk rock with this movie. While that's debatable, the gang all look the part, although Stegman boasts an unfortunate haircut that puts the 'wave' in 'new', and the soundtrack mixes the likes of Fear and Teenage Head with Alice Cooper.

With its stylised brutality, punk rock soundtrack and relentless pace, Class of 1984 still hits you like a motorcycle chain to the jaw.

At Lincoln High School, new music teacher Andrew Norris (Perry King) eagerly approaches his new position while being warned to keep his expectations in check by biology teacher and new friend Terry Corrigan (Roddy McDowall). Andrew's path eventually crosses with Peter Stegman (Timothy Van Patten) a psychotic and manipulative delinquent who also operates various criminal enterprises using his status as a minor to avoid consequences. As Andrew tries to teach his students and create a good learning environment, Stegman and his gang engage Andrew in an escalating feud.

Class of 1984 is a 1982 revenge thriller made by noted drive-in director Mark Lester and marked something of a transitioning point between Lester's grindhouse work to more mainstream fare like Firestarter and Commando. Inspired by the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle as well as the decay that had overtaken his former high school. Lester collaborated with Tom Holland and John Saxton on the screenplay. While the film only performed modestly upon initial release, it received decent critical reception from many who appreciated the film's satire of decay of educational institutions as well as the performances. Class of 1984 follows a familiar template, but it does so with intelligence, humor, and a certain level of tradecraft that you just have to appreciate.

Perry King makes a likable hero as Andrew and you really buy him as someone who's dedicated to teaching and who values education and his students. King has some great moments with Roddy McDowall's Terry Corrigan who gets to exhibit a wide range of talents including subtle humor, heartbreaking tragedy, and over the top anger that it's little wonder McDowall would go onto another project with Holland leading to his iconic performance as Peter Vincent in Fright Night. But stealing every scene he's in is Timothy Van Patten as Peter Stegman who is an effortlessly hateful antagonist who has the brains and the charisma to make it look easy and really makes us want to see him knocked down a peg. Van Patten is just fantastic in this film and with both his performance and the way his character is written, he's like a James Cagney type hood filtered by way of James Dean's image and he walks that line between being legitimately threatening and also darkly humorous.

Class of 1984 is a fantastic exploitation film and it's everything you want to expect from a movie of this ilk but with that extra something that really makes it stand out.