The Lords of Discipline (1983)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(798 ratings)

Adapted from a long novel by Pat Conroy, the story is shortened to focus on a harrowing account of institutional racism in the 1960s American South. David Keith stars as Will McLean, a senior student at the fictional Carolina Military Institute. When the school admits its first black student, McLean… More Adapted from a long novel by Pat Conroy, the story is shortened to focus on a harrowing account of institutional racism in the 1960s American South. David Keith stars as Will McLean, a senior student at the fictional Carolina Military Institute. When the school admits its first black student, McLean is confidentially charged with making sure that the newcomer's initiation does not get too violent. Yet that is exactly what happens, and McLean becomes alarmed when it seems like someone is out to kill his new charge. McLean's own investigation of the matter uncovers an elusive group of sadistic students who will go to any length to control their school. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Franc Roddam
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 18, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Feb 28, 2006

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
To get to the fine moments, we must wade through some sloppy melodrama, clunky characterizations, and a hackneyed, clumsy final act.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A riveting drama.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Offers a hard look at the military mystique of honor, loyalty and discipline.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a fairly effective thriller, although it sometimes feels a bit mean-spirited and sadistic

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

I love these old 80's flicks with these awesome cast rosters :) of course at the time most were virtually unknown, Biehn, Paxton, Judge Reinhold, William Hope, Rossovich, Prosky and David Keith all perform well to make this novel adaptation very enjoyable to watch. Filmed in the… More
I love these old 80's flicks with these awesome cast rosters :) of course at the time most were virtually unknown, Biehn, Paxton, Judge Reinhold, William Hope, Rossovich, Prosky and David Keith all perform well to make this novel adaptation very enjoyable to watch. Filmed in the UK at Wellington College set as a Military Institute, the story is a strong, harsh and almost bleak look at a school for cadets rising up against the first black young man to join their ranks. Probably quite true to life back in the 60's US and alittle uncomfortable at times watching with allot of strong verbal, its not particularly violent or nasty to watch its emotionally solid, shows how a moral code can be abused or even corrupted and makes you think..which is good. The location is perfect for the film and really feels like a US camp, along side the young cast and stoic older actors to guide them the film is simple yet high quality despite not being anywhere near as good or hard as the original book, worth alook for sure.
moon r

Set in the early 60's, four white kids stand up against racism at a southern military academy once the first black is admitted. Not bad.

Cast

            David Keith as William McClean

            Robert Prosky as Bear

            G.D. Spradlin as Gen. Durrell

            Barbara Babcock as Abigail

            Michael Biehn as Alexander

            Rick Rossovich as Pig

            John LavachieIIi as Mark

            Mitchell Lichtenstein as Tradd

            Mark Breland as Pearce

            Malcom Danare as Poteete

            Judge Reinhold as Macabbee

            Katharine Levy as Teresa

            Ed Bishop as Commerce

            Norman Chancer as TAC Captain

            Jason Connery as MacKinnon

            Michael Fitzpatrick as TAC Officer

            Matt Frewer as Senior

            William Hope as Senior

            Peter Merrill as Senior

            Dean Miller as Gooch

            Bill Paxton as Gilbreath

            Sheridan Earl Russell as Senior

            Simon Shepherd as Senior

            Tony Sibbald as TAC Major

            Kim Thomson as Girlfriend

            Ian Tyler as Cadet Colonel

            Sophie Ward as Girlfriend

            Peter Hutchinson as Senior

            Sallyanne Law as Girlfriend

            Valerie Colgan as General's Secretary

            Ronald Fernee as TAC Officer

            Stuart Milligan as McIntyre

            Elizabeth Morton as Girlfriend

            Richard Oldfield as TAC Officer

            Rolf Saxon as Rowland

            Helena Stevens as Librarian

            Aaron Swartz as Senior

            Ellen Chenoweth
            
            Greg Webb as Braselton

            Sarah Brackett as Mrs. Durrell

            Michael Horton as Bobby Bentley
See full cast