Teachers (1984) – Encore Review

“Just what the hell are you guys running here, a goddamn zoo? I’m in the middle of a fundraiser breakfast when I’m informed that your school psychologist has flipped out in the middle of your goddamn office. And, then I get here and find out that there has been a stabbing, and if that’s not enough, one of your kids tries to eat one of your goddamn teachers. Mr. Rubell, what the hell do you call that?” – Dr. Donna Burke

“Monday.” – Roger Rubell

Number of Times Seen – Too many to count (Theater in 84, cable, video, DVD, 26 Aug 2014 and 2 May 2021)

Link to original review – Here

Brief Synopsis – Students and teachers try to get through an average week in a normal high school despite the various issues that constantly arise along the way.

My Take on it – This is a movie that I have loved ever since I first saw it in the theater as a 10 year old. (Yes, I have no explanation as to why my parents allowed it…)

The film is able to get such a great capture of the various problems that both kids and teachers have to deal with during a typical high school week.

The characters are developed so well and this helps make the story resonate so well.

The film has one major story line but is also filled with lots of smaller ones that help enhance the story and the characters along the way.

The cast is superb with Nick Nolte in the lead.

He is helped along by Ralph Macchio, Jobeth Williams, Laura Dern, Judd Hirsch, Morgan Freeman, Crispin Glover, Allen Garfield, Lee Grant, Richard Mulligan, Royal Dano, Art Moreno and Steven Hill.

The film has an amazing soundtrack that is so 80’s and still works so well nearly 4 decades later.

My favorites are Teacher Teacher by 38 Special and Edge of a Dream by Joe Cocker

Listen to them here:

The film presents everything in a black comedy style and it works due to the realism of everything that happens along the way.

Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – In the opening credits, students are seen from inside the school entering in the morning when it is daylight outside, however the scene was actually in the late evening after dark and there was no snow on the ground. The studio used lights and “perlite” to simulate daylight and snow which fell on the students as they entered. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10) (no change from original review)