La loi des seigneurs

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.

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 :)

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

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.

Will McLean (David Keith) is a senior cadet at the Carolina Military Institute, a school that promises to make men of honor but practises brutal hazing to freshmen. McLean's roommates are Dante Pignetti (Rick Rossovich), Mark Santoro and Tradd St. Croix. In the time spent there McLean will join all the academy's activities (except breaking new cadets) and will see the corruption inside the institute, and will also try to unmask it (without some trouble and Pignetti getting expelled).

Despite I have not read the original novel LORDS OF DISCIPLINE I still liked the movie because it has some very good acting by everyone. I am not a huge David Keith fan but here he was very good as the lead, Rick Rossovich was very funny as the cadet that didn't stopped screaming, while Michael Biehn and Judge Reinhold give some of their best performances in their careers. The plot was great as there were lots of twists and turns when the leads were finding the truth.

Overall, a good militar academy drama that excedded my expectations as I was very surprised that I liked it very much. If you are searching something underrated from the 1980s, then this is for you.