Class of 1984

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Originally released as a motion picture in 1982.
Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten, Roddy McDowall, Stefan Arngrim.
An idealistic and naive music teacher starts at a crime-invested school and soon crosses paths with a teenage gang leader. When the student declares war on the teacher, the duo sets a fateful showdown into motion.
DVD, region 1; Dolby Digital.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

I Am the Future submitted by breaking_glass on May 9, 2011, 2:53pm Class of 1984 is soooo good, and also very disturbing because the kids in the gang are detestable and horrifying, especially more so toward the end of the film. It's a teacher's worst nightmare come true. In fact, anyone thinking about teaching should watch this film. You might think of changing your major completely. If you are already a teacher, you may appreciate your class that is, hopefully, far better than this one.

I like this film a lot because it kind of takes a step beyond some of the sillier gang exploitation films of the 70s that I've seen, even though this is not really an exploitation film. However, it feels like it. These kids are terrifying, and the film is dramatic. Also, their styles, from their clothes to hair, are pretty fantastic. Patsy - I'm looking at you. In fact, there's a great scene at a punk show that looks absolutely real - slam dancing and all. Nothing looks like "costumes" to me. Last but not least, Alice Cooper performs the theme song, "I Am the Future".

Watch this movie. I honestly think it was making a big statement at the time it was made. Gives you a lot to think about.

Fear the Future submitted by irenzero on July 1, 2011, 6:18pm Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984

- 1984 by David Bowie

This 80s update of Blackboard Jungle with a Death Wish twist is a cautionary tale of a school over run by the inmates.... I mean students. In the post 70s USA the fall out of the sexual revolution and the drug culture going mainstream, the youth run wild. LIke A Clockwork Orange, The Class of 1984 look at a society afraid of their children, of standing up to gangs, of Administrators who are more concerned with CYA than teaching or keeping order. There is a grind house quality to the film that works in it's favor giving the film a visceral bit, and while the hair and clothes seems a bit dated (at least that of the Squares is dated) the message still holds true, that there is a violence in our youth that needs to be addressed before it explodes.

I would simply add that it's a fast moving film with an effective score that is perfect as a midnite film or for looking back at a time not so distant in the past.