Class of 1984 (1982) UK Quad Poster

A violent and misogynistic bunch of drug-running punk rapists rule their high school. It’s up to idealistic ‘there’s no such thing as a bad kid’ music teacher Mr Norris to teach them the error of their ways – by killing them all. It’s a film that’s been cut severely in most territories, or utilising alternative ‘softer’ takes of the same scenes.

Director Mark L. Lester (NOT of Oliver! fame) went on to Firestarter (1984), Commando (1985) and Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) before his star waned. Co-writer Tom Holland came up with the screenplay of Psycho II (1983) before writing and directing Fright Night (1985) and Child’s Play (1988). So between them, they cut a swathe through the 80s horror film, and Class of 1984 is where they collided with such startling results. Watch for a chubby Michael J. Fox, and another great turn from Roddy McDowall as a teacher having a bad day, plus the finest end caption in cinema. Expert exploitation.

Artist: Unknown

Condition: VERY FINE / NEAR MINT

Cast: Perry King (never better), Timothy Van Patten, Merrie Lynn Ross, Roddy McDowall, Stefan Arngrim, Keith Knight, Lisa Langlois, Neil Clifford