The Lords of Discipline poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

David Keith, Robert Prosky, G.D. Spradlin, Barbara Babcock, Michael Biehn ... see more see more... , Rick Rossovich , John LavachieIIi , Mitchell Lichtenstein , Mark Breland , Malcom Danare , Judge Reinhold , Katharine Levy , Ed Bishop , Norman Chancer , Jason Connery , Michael Fitzpatrick , Matt Frewer , William Hope , Peter Merrill , Dean Miller , Bill Paxton , Sheridan Earl Russell , Simon Shepherd , Tony Sibbald , Kim Thomson , Ian Tyler , Sophie Ward , Peter Hutchinson , Sallyanne Law , Valerie Colgan , Ronald Fernee , Stuart Milligan , Elizabeth Morton , Richard Oldfield , Rolf Saxon , Helena Stevens , Aaron Swartz , Ellen Chenoweth , Greg Webb , Sarah Brackett , Michael Horton

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 ... read more read more...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

Flixster Users

59% liked it

798 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Franc Roddam

Release Date: February 18, 1983

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006

Stats: 46 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (46)

  • phubbs1
    June 30, 2011
    phubbs1
    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... read more 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.
  • moonrivers
    June 18, 2011
    moonrivers
    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.
  • wolverineland
    July 6, 2009
    wolverineland
    Pat Conroy's masterpiece about racism & class elitism at a Southern military academy set during the 1960's. I watched the crap out of this film on HBO back in the early to mid 80's. David Keith deserved the Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of Will McClean but I believe that Robe... read morert Duvall sewed it up that year for Tender Mercies. The perfect companion film to Conroy's The Great Santini.

View All The Lords of Discipline Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius
March 20, 2006
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. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
August 31, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A riveting drama. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 19, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Offers a hard look at the military mystique of honor, loyalty and discipline. Full Review

James Kendrick
February 27, 2001
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

a fairly effective thriller, although it sometimes feels a bit mean-spirited and sadistic Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Lori Hoffman
January 5, 2007
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 28, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Philip Martin
April 28, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Carol Cling
August 22, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Lords of Disc... : Watch Free on TV

The Lords of Discipline Trivia

  • Who was in "The Lords of Discipline"?  Answer »
  • What pair of actors appeared in "The Lords of Discipline", "Terminator", "Aliens" and "Tombstone"?  Answer »
More The Lords of Discipline Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Lords of Discipline. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Lords of Discipline to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?