The Substitute

1996
R
1h 54m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

17K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:39

1 Video

63 Photos

Action Crime Drama Thriller

Shale's Mercenary team is retired after a (not so) covert mission in Cuba. He becomes a substitute teacher at his teacher fiancee's Miami high school to get those behind kneecapping her. His... Read allShale's Mercenary team is retired after a (not so) covert mission in Cuba. He becomes a substitute teacher at his teacher fiancee's Miami high school to get those behind kneecapping her. His team helps him.Shale's Mercenary team is retired after a (not so) covert mission in Cuba. He becomes a substitute teacher at his teacher fiancee's Miami high school to get those behind kneecapping her. His team helps him.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

17K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 1:39

The Substitute (1996)

Photos63

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9:57

Storyline

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Trivia
The movie was shot during the summer months, and kids who enrolled in summer classes were extras in the film. Free Papa John's pizza was served to anyone who would stay after school.

Goofs
Early in the movie when Janus is screening the commercial for his "services," the rolling text describing his abilities lists "Helicopter Repelling" instead of "Helicopter Rappelling".

Quotes
Shale: I'm in charge of this class. I'm the warrior chief. I'm the merciless God of anything that stirs in my universe. You fuck with me, and you will suffer my wrath.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Celtic Pride/Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie/Mrs. Winterbourne/The Substitute/Fear/Sweet Nothing (1996)

Soundtracks
Ride of the Valkyries
Written by Richard Wagner

User reviews95

Featured review

7/10

Always Satisfying To See Punks Get It

Even though it was kind of a low-class type of story and movie with mostly bad, profane people tossing the f-word around like it was candy, it still was an enjoyable movie in a lot of parts and certainly had a satisfying ending. Perhaps that's why it was successful enough to spurn a sequel (albeit, a weak one.)

Tom Berenger is good to watch. He's convincing as a tough guy substitute teacher "Jonathan Shale" who won't put up with the punks in the classroom. And, boy, you see the worst group of high school students I've ever seen on film. Tough to imagine kids harder to encounter than these slime-balls but satisfying to see them dealt with accordingly.

You have to love it.