Details
Movie Description
This provocative portrait of juvenile delinqency in a 1950s inner-city high school was based on the best-selling novel by Evan Hunter. Groundbreaking in its gritty realism and its use of rock & roll on the soundtrack, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE paved the way for such realistic and tough adolescent pictures as WEST SIDE STORY and REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE. The atmospheric tale of a teacher's harrowing experience in the New York City school system stars Glenn Ford as Richard Dadier, an idealistic teacher assigned to a new school located in one of the poorest and ethnically diverse city neighborhoods. Dadier's idealism fades as he struggles to make a difference to his indifferent students. Darkly ominous cinematography highlights the street world of the desperate delinquents as they carouse, smoke, and steal after school. The film features smoldering performances by a young Sidney Poitier and Vic Morrow as tough-as-nails rebels fighting over the role of leader in Dadier's classroom. This innovative and ultimately uplifting portrayal of a generation at odds with the world served as a seminal portrait of the darker side of the 1950s; however, it was laced with controversy as well, as it was withdrawn from the 1955 Venice Film Festival for showing an unflattering view of American high school life.
Synopsis
This controversial film, based on Evan Hunter's best-selling novel, is widely recognized as a groundbreaking and innovative portrait of juvenile delinquency in the 1950s. Glenn Ford stars as Richard Dadier, an idealistic new teacher struggling to make a difference at a rough prisonlike school in New York city. His new school--located in one of the poorest ethnic districts--is a magnet for delinquent students, hoodlums, and ruffians. Sidney Poitier and Vic Morrow costar as young rebels in Dadier's classroom who are angry, violent, and itching to defy authority. Rock & roll came to the big screen in a major way as Bill Haley and the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" bopped over the opening credits.
Film Notes
BLACKBOARD JUNGLE was withdrawn from the 1955 Venice Film Festival at the request of Ambassador Clare Boothe Luce, who felt the film was an unflattering look at American school life.
The use of the song "Rock Around the Clock" had a tremendous impact on audiences around the world, setting the groundwork for a revolution in popular music.
Future director Paul Mazursky and future M*A*S*H star Jamie Farr (billed here as Jameel Farah) appear as students in the film.
DVD Features:
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Widescreen 1.85
Audio:
Mono 1.0 French
Mono 1.0 English
Industry Reviews
"...Still consistently fun, and even sporadically powerful..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (12/08/1989)
Quotations
"I've been beaten up. But I'm not beaten...I'm not beaten. And I'm not quitting."--Dadier (Glenn Ford) to his wife, Anne (Anne Francis)
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