Teachers (1984)

58% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(1,292 ratings)

Arthur Hiller directed this satiric look at contemporary urban high schools, examining disillusioned teachers who try to regain their idealism. Nick Nolte stars as Alex, a teacher at John Fitzgerald Kennedy High School, who was once an idealistic teacher but whose main concern now is sobering up… More Arthur Hiller directed this satiric look at contemporary urban high schools, examining disillusioned teachers who try to regain their idealism. Nick Nolte stars as Alex, a teacher at John Fitzgerald Kennedy High School, who was once an idealistic teacher but whose main concern now is sobering up before the next class session. The high school is headed by ineffective principal Mr. Horn (William Schallert) and an imperious vice-principal named Roger (Judd Hirsch). When a recent graduate of the high school sues the school because it graduated him illiterate, Alex finds himself in conflict with the hard-nosed school superintendent Dr. Burke (Lee Grant). The high school heats up even more when Alex falls in love with Lisa (JoBeth Williams), the attractive lawyer who was once one of Alex's honor students. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 5, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Aug 28, 2007
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Someone had another Hospital in mind, and they even hired Arthur Hiller to direct it, but the attempt to merge black humor and strident social commentary seems even more uncertain this time.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
involving tribute to everyone who teaches
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
An insult to real teachers with very few truths.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A spunky, outrageous comedy which aims to entertain and at the same time shed some light on what really matters in education.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is the worst portrayal of a high school I've ever seen, and none of the actors were good either, which was surprising since there are many good actors in the movie, but I really didn't like this movie.
Dean M

This satire on American high schools doesn't really hit the spot, despite its wonderful cast. Madcap humour is all very well, but only if you've got some decent jokes hidden in your desk.
Matthew L

This movie is a plethora of 80's actors including a nude Jobeth Williams and just off the Karate Kid movies Macchio minus Morgan Freeman and has the storyline to match. It is full of some pretty good acting and not a bad script. It actually shows some good acting by Nick Nolte… More
This movie is a plethora of 80's actors including a nude Jobeth Williams and just off the Karate Kid movies Macchio minus Morgan Freeman and has the storyline to match. It is full of some pretty good acting and not a bad script. It actually shows some good acting by Nick Nolte and surprisingly the late Richard Mulligan. It probably never went anywhere because the script matches a lot of other 80's movies of the time. Not a bad soundtrack either. Pre Back to the Future Crispin Glover is a nice touch in this.
nefnie l

I can't believe that more people haven't seen this little gem from 1984. A decent storyline with a strong cast and good sountrack. It's funny, it's serious, and it's a little crazy. An interesting mix of comedy and drama.
Jonny C

Good satire of the 80's US school system. Nick Nolte leads a great cast, which includes a young Laura Dern, and the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. Being a teacher I could sympathise with the characters lack of motivation, and the points the writers tried to stress, are as relevant… More
Good satire of the 80's US school system. Nick Nolte leads a great cast, which includes a young Laura Dern, and the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. Being a teacher I could sympathise with the characters lack of motivation, and the points the writers tried to stress, are as relevant today as they were 20 years ago.

Cast

            Nick Nolte as Alex

            JoBeth Williams as Lisa

            Judd Hirsch as Roger

            Ralph Macchio as Eddie

            Lee Grant as Dr. Burke

            Richard Mulligan as Herbert

            Allen Garfield as Rosenberg

            Royal Dano as Ditto

            William Schallert as Horn

            Crispin Glover as Danny

            Zohra Lampert as Mrs. Pilikian

            Katherine Balfour as Theresa

            Art Metrano as Troy

            Laura Dern as Diane

            Mary Alice as Linda Ganz

            Vivian Bonnell as Nurse

            Wilbert Bradley as Guard

            Bernard Canepari as Cop

            Virginia Capers as Landlady

            Ellen Crawford as Social Worker

            Ron Dean as Guard

            Zaid Farid as Cop

            Aaron Freeman as Brinkman

            Patricia Gaul as Lowe

            Anthony Heald as Narc

            Steven Hill as Sloan

            Ronald Hunter as Mr. Pilikian

            Stephen Mendillo as Lecture Cop

            Madeleine Sherwood as Grace

            Virginia Smith as Lee

            Dick Sollenberger as Attendant

            Simon Williams as Attendant

            Will Zahrn as Cop

            Richard Zobel as Propes

            Morgan Freeman as Lewis

            Mary Louise Wilson as Teacher

            Julia Jennings as The Blonde

            Andrew Ream as Henson

            Jeff Ware as Malloy

            Phillip S. Wilson as Teacher

            Tony Lincoln as Guard

            Paul Zegler as Attendant
See full cast