Massacre at Central High

Last updated

Massacre at Central High
Massacre at Central High FilmPoster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Rene Daalder
Written byRene Daalder
Produced byJerome Bauman
Harold Sobel
Starring
Cinematography Bertram van Munster
Edited by Harry Keramidas
Music by Tommy Leonetti
Distributed byBrian Distributing Corporation
Release date
  • April 28, 1976 (1976-04-28) [1]
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$500,000

Massacre at Central High (released as Blackboard Massacre in the UK) is a 1976 American thriller film directed by Rene Daalder and starring Derrel Maury, Kimberly Beck, Robert Carradine, and Andrew Stevens. The plot follows a series of revenge killings at a fictional American high school, after which the oppressed students take on the role of their bully oppressors. Despite its title, it is not a slasher film but an unusual blend of political allegory, social commentary, and low-budget exploitation; with the exception of the final sequence, no "adult" characters (such as teachers and parents) are seen. [2]

Contents

It was shot on 35mm film, and has a running time of 87 minutes.

The film's director, Rene Daalder, described Massacre at Central High as "eerily predicting punk and Columbine". [3] [4] [Note 1] It has also been cited as a possible influence on the 1988 black comedy Heathers . [5] [6]

Plot

David (Derrel Maury), a new student at Central High, meets Mark (Andrew Stevens), an old friend whom he once helped out of a jam at their previous school. Mark tells David that the school can be like a country club for him if he befriends Bruce (Ray Underwood), Craig (Steve Bond), and Paul (Damon Douglas), the bullies who rule the school student body; Mark has become their somewhat reluctant accomplice.

Over the next few days, David witnesses Bruce, Craig, and Paul torment the other students, including the scrawny Spoony; the overweight Oscar; Arthur, the school's hearing-impaired librarian; and Rodney, who drives a rundown car that is vandalized by the bullies. After David forcibly thwarts the trio's attempt to rape two female students, Mary and Jane, in an empty classroom, the bullies approach Mark and tell him he only has one more chance to talk David into minding his own business. When this fails, the three bullies decide to take matters into their own hands. Meanwhile, David has taken a liking to Mark's girlfriend, Theresa.

One evening, David is repairing Rodney's car in his garage when the bullies appear and kick the jack out from under the vehicle. One of the wheels crushes David's right leg, crippling him.

After being discharged from hospital, David takes revenge on the trio by arranging fatal "accidents": he electrocutes Bruce by sabotaging his hang-glider to fly into a power line, tricks Craig into high-diving into an empty swimming pool, and pushes Paul's van off a cliff with Paul in it.

The school changes after the bullies' deaths. At first the students support each other, but soon the formerly tormented students become bullies themselves, and try to form alliances with David to control the school. In due course more deaths occur: Arthur is killed when his hearing-aid malfunctions, Oscar's locker explodes when he opens it, and Rodney's car blows up when he starts the engine. While camping under a cliff, Spoony, Mary, and Jane find a box of dynamite but ignore it; when they return to their tent for a threesome, an explosion causes a rockslide, killing them also.

The police blame Spoony, Mary, and Jane for the carnage, but Mark is aware that David is responsible. David bluntly confirms this for his old friend, stating that he killed the bullies to give the tormented students a chance to be happy, but was so disgusted to see them turn into even worse people that he killed them as well. He also calls himself a "madman" while laughing mirthlessly. Mark tells Theresa they must prevent David from killing more people at the school dance with a bomb he has planted in the school basement. Realizing the only way to stop David is by playing on the last sympathies he has towards them, Mark and Theresa enter the gym where the dance is being held. David tells them to leave or they'll die, but they both tell him they're not going anywhere regardless of what that will mean for them. David begins to leave the school but then turns around and limps to the basement, where he removes the bomb. He takes the device outside to dismantle it but there isn't enough time and it blows up, killing him instantly and bringing everyone outside to see the fiery aftermath. To save David's reputation, Mark and Theresa agree to tell the police that Spoony, Mary, and Jane had planted the bomb, and that David had given his life to save everyone.

Cast

Production

Massacre at Central High was written and directed by Rene Daalder in his second feature-film effort, having previously directed the 1969 Dutch drama film De blanke slavin (Trans: The White Slave). [7] Daalder had been recommended to producers Jerome Bauman, and Harold Sobel by Russ Meyer, for whom Daalder had written an unproduced script. Lead actor Derrel Maury was originally cast in the supporting role of Rodney, but later switched roles with fellow actor Rex Sikes. Principal photography commenced in early 1976 over a three-week period in Los Angeles and Malibu. [8] Exteriors of the fictional Central High were shot at Pomona College while interior scenes were shot in Villa Cabrini High School in Burbank. [5]

Release

Alternative version

The Italian version of this film, called Sexy Jeans, was edited with pornographic inserts. [9]

Home media

Massacre at Central High was first released on VHS in 1981 in a clamshell case by Electric Video Inc. and a later release with an ordinary slipsleeve box came in 1986 from Viking Video Classics. In the UK, it was released by Apex Video, when exactly is unknown. The film was released on DVD for the first time by TBC on May 28, 2001. It was later released by Black Horse on September 27, 2004, and Desert Island Films on February 18, 2012. [10] Synapse Films released a limited edition Blu-ray and DVD edition of the film on November 18, 2020. [11]

Critical response

Massacre at Central High attracted little attention when first released, but when reissued in 1980, New York Times critic Vincent Canby praised it as "an original, fascinating work", [12] and named it as one of his 20 favorite films of the year. [13] Roger Ebert also discussed the film favorably on his television show Sneak Previews , describing it as "intelligent and uncompromising". [14] [Note 2] Dave Sindelar from Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings praised the film's characters, political subtext, and depth, while criticizing some of the dialogue, and soundtrack. Sindelar concluded his review by writing, "Nevertheless, movies with this much thoughtfulness behind them are uncommon, and whatever its flaws, the movie is definitely worth viewing." [15] TV Guide gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Massacre at Central High is a fascinating little movie that delivers its expected exploitation thrills while presenting a political allegory, albeit a somewhat confused one." [16] Time Out London also reviewed the film favorably, calling it "An intriguing, diagrammatic example of subversive cinema." [17]

By contrast, John Ross Bowie, in comparing the film with the more comedic Heathers , dismissed Massacre at Central High as "exploitative" and "devoid of technique", and criticized its technical flaws and "wooden acting". [6]

Notes

  1. ↑ Given the context of this statement, it may be that Daalder was referring to punk culture in cinema rather than punk music.
  2. ↑ Sources stating that Ebert included the film in his annual "Top 10" list appear to be a confusion with Canby, as Ebert did not publish a written review of the film.

Related Research Articles

<i>Heathers</i> 1989 American comedy film by Michael Lehmann

Heathers is a 1988 American teen black comedy film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, in both of their respective film debuts. The film stars Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, and Penelope Milford. Its plot portrays four teenage girls—three of whom are named Heather—in a clique at an Ohio high school, one of whose lives is disrupted by the arrival of a misanthrope intent on murdering the popular students and staging their deaths as suicides.

<i>Romy and Micheles High School Reunion</i> 1997 American film by David Mirkin

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion is a 1997 American comedy film directed by David Mirkin and starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, and Janeane Garofalo. The plot revolves around two 28-year-old women who appear to have not achieved much success in life, and decide to invent fake careers to impress former classmates at their ten-year high school reunion. The characters are taken from the stage play Ladies Room, which also featured Kudrow.

<i>Elephant</i> (2003 film) 2003 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant

Elephant is a 2003 American psychological drama film written, directed and edited by Gus Van Sant. It takes place in Watt High School, in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, and chronicles the events surrounding a school shooting, based in part on the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. The film begins a short time before the shooting occurs, following the lives of several characters both in and out of school, who are unaware of what is about to unfold. The film stars mostly new actors, including John Robinson, Alex Frost, and Eric Deulen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carel Struycken</span> Dutch actor (born 1948)

Carel Struycken is a Dutch actor. He is known for playing the Giant/Fireman in the television series Twin Peaks, the occasional guest role of Mr. Homn in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1992), and the household butler Lurch in the 1990s Addams Family films. He also appeared in the films Gerald's Game (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theresa Russell</span> American actress

Theresa Lynn Russell is an American actress whose career spans over four decades. Her filmography includes over 50 feature films, ranging from mainstream to independent and experimental films.

<i>Teachers</i> (film) 1984 film by Arthur Hiller

Teachers is a 1984 American satirical black comedy-drama film written by W. R. McKinney, directed by Arthur Hiller, and starring Nick Nolte, JoBeth Williams, Ralph Macchio, and Judd Hirsch. It was shot in Columbus, Ohio, mostly at the former Central High School.

<i>Gotcha!</i> (film) 1985 comedy-action film by Jeff Kanew

Gotcha! is a 1985 American action comedy film, starring Anthony Edwards and Linda Fiorentino and directed by Jeff Kanew, who also directed Edwards in Revenge of the Nerds in 1984.

<i>Welcome to the Dollhouse</i> 1995 film by Todd Solondz

Welcome to the Dollhouse is a 1995 American coming-of-age black comedy film written and directed by Todd Solondz. An independent film, it won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival and launched the careers of Solondz and Heather Matarazzo. The story follows the unpopular middle schooler Dawn as she goes to extreme lengths trying to earn the respect of her vicious fellow students and her uninterested family. Dawn reappears in two of Solondz's other films, Palindromes and Wiener-Dog while her brother and father appear in the former in addition to Life During Wartime. The film's working title was Faggots and Retards.

<i>Personal Best</i> (film) 1982 American drama film by Robert Towne

Personal Best is a 1982 American drama film written, produced and directed by Robert Towne. It stars Mariel Hemingway and real-life track star Patrice Donnelly, along with Scott Glenn as the coach. The film is about the lesbian relationship between two track-and-field teammates whose relationship might interfere with their performance.

<i>Ben</i> (film) 1972 film by Phil Karlson

Ben is a 1972 American horror film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Lee Montgomery, Joseph Campanella, and Arthur O'Connell. It is a sequel to the film Willard (1971). The film follows a lonely boy named Danny Garrison who befriends Willard's former pet rat named Ben. Ben becomes the boy's best friend, protecting him from bullying and keeping his spirits up in the face of a heart condition. However, Ben forms an army of deadly rodents while the police attempt to control it.

<i>The NeverEnding Story</i> (film) 1984 film directed by Wolfgang Petersen

The NeverEnding Story is a 1984 fantasy film, co-written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, based on the 1979 novel The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. It was produced by Bernd Eichinger and Dieter Giessler, and stars Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney and Moses Gunn, with Alan Oppenheimer providing the voices of Falkor, Gmork, and others. It follows a boy who finds a magical book that tells of a young warrior who is given the task of stopping the Nothing, a dark force, from engulfing the wonderland world of Fantasia.

<i>The Prince of Pennsylvania</i> 1988 film by Ron Nyswaner

The Prince of Pennsylvania is a 1988 comedy drama film written and directed by Ron Nyswaner. It stars Fred Ward, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Bedelia and Amy Madigan. It premiered at the 1988 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 1988, and received a limited release beginning September 16.

Who Killed Bambi? was to be the first film featuring the punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and was due to be released in 1978. Russ Meyer and then Jonathan Kaplan were due to direct from a script by Roger Ebert and Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren.

Rene Daalder was a Dutch writer and director. He lived in Los Angeles. Originally a protégé of Russ Meyer, Daalder has worked with Jan de Bont, Frans Bromet, and Rem Koolhaas.

<i>Oliver!</i> (film) 1968 British musical drama film

Oliver! is a 1968 British period musical drama film based on Lionel Bart's 1960 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist.

<i>The Strongest Man in the World</i> 1975 film by Vincent McEveety

The Strongest Man in the World is a 1975 American science fiction comedy film directed by Vincent McEveety, produced by Walt Disney Productions, and starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn and Eve Arden. It was the third and final film in Dexter Riley series.

<i>Tarzan and the Trappers</i> 1966 American film

Tarzan and the Trappers is a 1966 action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan and starring Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, Rickie Sorensen and Lesley Bradley. The twentieth film of the Tarzan film series that began with 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man, it was filmed in 1958 as three pilot episodes for a television series which were edited into a feature film when the project was abandoned. As a television project, it was shot in black-and-white rather than color, like other contemporary Tarzan films, including Tarzan's Fight for Life, released later the same year. The film did finally appear on television, but only in 1966. It was shot in Chatsworth, California.

<i>Tru Loved</i> 2008 film by Stewart Wade

Tru Loved is a 2008 independent film written and directed by Stewart Wade and starring Najarra Townsend, Jake Abel, Matthew Thompson and Alexandra Paul.

<i>Population: 1</i> 1986 film

Population: 1 is a 1986 punk rock musical film written and directed by Rene Daalder.

<i>Making It</i> (film) 1971 film by John Erman

Making It is a 1971 comedy-drama film directed by John Erman and written by Peter Bart and James Leigh. It stars Kristoffer Tabori, Bob Balaban, Lawrence Pressman, Joyce Van Patten, Marlyn Mason, and a number of character actors familiar to TV audiences of the 1970s. Adapted from Leigh's 1965 novel What Can You Do?, the film follows several months in the life of an intelligent, precocious 17-year-old high school student who fancies himself a smooth Lothario.

References

  1. ↑ "Massacre at Central High". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . American Film Institute . Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  2. ↑ Peary, Danny (1984). "Massacre at Central High". Cult Movies 2. London: Vermilion. pp. 88–90. ISBN   0091544416.
  3. ↑ "Massacre at Central High". Rene Daalder. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ Spitz, Marc; Mullen, Brendan (2001). We Got the Neutron Bomb: the Untold Story of L.A. Punk. New York: Three Rivers Press. p. 153. ISBN   0307566242. ...my [director Rene Daalder's] teenage movie Massacre at Central High, which anticipated punk, Heathers, and Columbine back in '76.
  5. 1 2 "Return to Central High: An Interview with Derrel Maury". The Terror Trap. May 2011. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Bowie, John Ross (2011). Heathers. Berkeley, CA: Soft Skull Press. ISBN   978-1593764579.
  7. ↑ "De blanke Slavin (The White Slave) (2011) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.com. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Nathanial. "Massacre At Central High (1976) – Articles". TurnerClassicMovies.com. Nathaniel Thompson. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Massacre at Central High". Movie Censorship. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Massacre at Central High (1976) – Rene Daalder, Renee Daalder". AllMovie . Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  11. ↑ Sprague, Mike (November 18, 2020). "MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH Limited Steelbook Blu-ray Now Available". Dread Central . Archived from the original on November 20, 2020.
  12. ↑ Canby, Vincent (December 5, 1980). "Teen-Age Massacre; Morality Tale". New York Times . Retrieved September 30, 2016.(subscription required)
  13. ↑ Canby, Vincent (December 28, 1980). "Film View: The Best Came From Directors With Strong Visions". New York Times . Retrieved September 30, 2016.(subscription required)
  14. ↑ "Massacre at Central High: Roger Ebert Film Review". Rene Daalder. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  15. ↑ Sindelar, Dave (August 22, 2019). "Massacre at Central High (1976)". FantasticMovieMusings.com. Dave Sindelar. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Massacre At Central High - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TVGuide.com. TV Guide Staff. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Massacre at Central High 1976, directed by Renee Daalder". TimeOut.com. Time Out London. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.