The Lords of Discipline

I graduated from The Citadel and can tell you that the book is not a standing joke on campus and that almost everyone reads it during their knob year for their English class. It is true that upperclassmen are not allowed to touch knobs but this is a rule that was very loosely enforced in the 60s. I was not there in the 60s but it is a well known fact on campus and by alumni. I have never heard anything of that nature and I believe they made it worse than it really was in order to make people watch it and enjoy reading the book. All in all the book is much better than the movie. Read the book don't watch the movie, or at least read the book first.

I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. Now i have never read the novel it is based on so i am not disillusioned by how "bland" an adaptation this is, but i must say that this was an interesting, intriguing and enjoyable film. It was deep and thought provoking and provided an insight into what was... and possibly still is considered to be the making of a man and a soldier.

Also, the fact that it is a veritable melting pot of future stars and character actors doesn't hurt. David Keith as a likeable character? Michael Biehn and Bill Paxton, a year before making Terminator together, a few years before making Aliens and ages before making Tombstone. Judge Reinhold, Rick Rossovich (the guy from Roxanne and pacific blue), Matt Frewer (HE LOOKS SO YOUNG!!!), the fat guy out of Godzilla (he is great). It was interesting seeing all these people in these roles, big and small.

Moral of the story, great flick :)

The movie itself was mediocre-- but having read Pat Conroy's incredible novel, filled with cynicism, cruelty, depth, and of cource, deceit-- all that good stuff. Alas, without a love interest, the myriad losses, and the absolutely imperative dips into the depths of Senior Private Will McLean's psyche, this movie is simply a hollow time-waster about a Southern Military school. Read the book, skip the film-- or better yet (since the film was actually rather enjoyable) see the film first, and then bask in the sheer, dark goodness of Pat Conroy's writing. If only there were no Pat Conroy novel, this movie would be an enjoyable flick... Oh well.

It's 1964 at the Carolina Military Institute. Returning for his senior year as a cadet, hunky David Keith (as Will "Bubba" McClean) and his pals discover the freshman "Knobs" include, for the first time, a young black man. As you might expect, he is the victim of racial hatred. Old-timer Robert Prosky (as "the Bear") enlists Mr. Keith's help in watching over the black cadet, Mark Breland (as Pearce). Keith gets reluctant help from his three roommates - piano playing Mitchell Lichtenstein (as Tradd St. Croix), weight-lifting Rick Rossovich (as Dante "Pig" Pignetti), and Italian Elvis fan John Lavachielli (as Mark Santoro).

Keith and his friends participate in "Hell Night" with the usual shenanigans. Of course, "scumbags," "maggots," and "faggots" are encouraged to vacate the premises. Overweight Malcolm Danare (as Poteete) is the first casualty. Then, a (not so) secret organization known as "The Ten" targets Mr. Breland. But, "The Lords of Discipline" isn't really about Breland or his race. Rather, it's a mystery thriller focusing on Keith and his roommates. And, even then, it's not much of a mystery. Most enjoyable are Keith and his three roommates, who manage to be appealing in some unappealing (and obvious) roles.

****** The Lords of Discipline (2/18/83) Franc Roddam ~ David Keith, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Rick Rossovich, Robert Prosky

The armed services of the U.S. have spent years trying to define and instill the core values that they wish the Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman to possess. The military realizes that not many people have learned those core values from their home life. Induction into the service is a metamorphosis into a new life and it involves making over the former civilian into the servicemember -- body and mind. In this excellent fictional movie, the Commandant and his "Ten" lost track of the distinction between pride in their accomplishments and...elitism. Will and The Bear had honor. Will's moral courage exemplified the core values that the military strives to teach its members today.