Classe 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")

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...

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.

"Death Wish" meets "The Blackboard Jungle" in this brutal, increasingly violent thriller. If I were to judge it from a strictly objective point of view, I'd have to be very negative - it's a totally exploitative piece of work. But there is something inherently absorbing about this movie, and you simply can't take your eyes off it. Its 93 minutes pass like a breeze, and for that alone it probably deserves two stars. Has pretty good acting, too.

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.