There are many classics in my collection, but I like the obscure, artsy, films that have something to say. I like to think of my collection as something for everyone. From Lawrence of Arabia to Caligula, All About Eve to Coffy, and Spartacus to Class of 1984 which is what brought me to this entry.
There are certain films that I watch once a year, but it has been several years since I’ve seen Class of 1984. There were many reasons why I saw this film when it was released and why it was added to the collection. I was a fan of Roddy McDowall best known for his roles In the Planet of the Ape series. I had also found out that Mr. McDowell shared a passion for photography. There was also Perry King. Perry King starred in The Lords of Flatbush. This film also introduced us to many Canadian actors, Michael J. Fox who was just Michael Fox back then. Stephan Angrim from the religious horror film Fear No Evil and Timothy Van Patten who played Salami on the television series The White Shadow. He is now a director as many of the cast members from that tv series has become. Kevin Hook and Thomas Carter are names synonymous with directing many television series.
Class of 1984 had a big impact on me from its costumes to the graffiti around the school. It inspired drawings and its one film where the dialogue resonated. Class of 1984 is considered a revenge film. It’s violent and doesn’t hold back in offending anyone. The music is awesome as it opens with Alice Copper’s I Am The Future one of my favorite songs. This film was compared to A Clock Work Orange, but the setting is in a High School. Mark Lester predicted where the future of public schools were going and there are scanners in most schools, surveillance cameras and kids bring guns to school.
Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?
It’s a disturbing film with a message. If you can get your hands on the film I highly recommend it. If you are an aspiring film maker this should be on your list as recommended viewing. The visuals, lighting and flow of the film are tops.
Roddy McDowall has a great scene where he is on the edge of a nervous breakdown and tries to get his students to learn by holding a gun on them. There is such intensity and I often wonder what type of film would it have been if he had shot one of the students.
Many years later there was another film, I’m not sure if you can call it a sequel, it was called Class of 1999. I should have this film in my collection, but I don’t as a DVD. I think I have it on VHS somewhere. The only reason I would add it is because it features Pam Grier as a cyborg teacher and things don’t work out. There was a similar film called The Faculty that starred Usher. If you can get your hands on Class of 1984 give it a look see.
Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)
