Clase 1984

Class of 1984 (1982) is an entertaining and thought-provoking combination of the Vigilante and High School Drama flick. The film describes the punks as the next generation of important people. It was done as a reworking of Blackboard Jungle (it is much better than Cruel Intentions and more gutsy). Class of 1984 (1982) is an errie movie because the depiction of unsafe Urban high schools, metal detectors at schools, and security guards would be a reality eight years later in many high school cities. It is a courageous movie that isn't afraid to deal with important issues. Class of 1984 (1982) will be noted for the appearance of Michael J. Fox known in the credits as Michael Fox.

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")

Class of 1984 (1982) is a movie I recently watched on Shudder. The storyline follows a high school that has become overrun by gangs and students with little to no regard for the staff and school rules. When one teacher thinks he can make a difference he may discover he's bit-off more than he can chew.

This movie is directed by Mark L. Lester (Commando) and stars Perry King (Mandingo), Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future), Roddy McDowall (Fright Night), Merrie Lynn Ross (Bobbi Jo and the Outlaw) and Timothy Van Patten (The Sopranos).

It was awesome seeing a young Michael J. Fox in this. The storyline is a bit over the top, but they do a good job setting the tone with the opening statistics and building off that message to create an entertaining film. They did a good job making the kids the villains and horror elements. The gang segments were well done. I really loved the intensity and acting for those gang members. The ending for this is out of this world, unpredictable and very well done.

Overall this is a fairly unique film with better action and acting than you'd expect. This is a very solid movie that I'd score a 7.5/10 and strongly recommend.

"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.

I kinda hated this film when it first came out, thinking that it was unrealistic and ultra-violent, what with the metal detectors at the entrances to the high schools and depictions of punks, etc...little did I know. This film, a kind of update of "Blackboard Jungle" by way of "Clockwork Orange" and "Death Wish" is a fascinating look at an urban high school controlled by punk gang leader Stegman (Timothy Van Patten). Perry King plays the new music teacher, and he gives a decent performance. Roddy McDowell steals the show as the biology instructor. His best scene -- pointing a gun at his students and threatening to kill them if they get the wrong answer to a science question! This film is extremely well made, a classic b-movie that is first rate compared to junk like "The Faculty" or any of the other awful "I Know What you Did Last Summer" type of teen flicks out these days...