High School
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Frederick Wiseman
David Eames
Carter Howard
Richard Leiterman
Otis Redding
Paul Simon
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Education in a white, middle-class high school in suburban Philadelphia encourages conformity among its students, who are often more interested in non-academic activities than classroom work. An English instructor who reads "Casey at the Bat" to her class is no more successful at capturing her students' attention than another teacher who interprets lyrics from Simon and Garfunkel's "Dangling Conversation." Students in a girls' gym class scoot across the floor in time to the song "Simon Says," while an all-male group is told by a visiting gynecologist that extensive sex before marriage will lead to insecurity and divorce in later life. A teacher in a modeling class attempts to establish rapport with her students by giving them tips on making the best of their physical appearances. A girl is told the short dress she plans to wear to a school prom will offend the rest of the class. The faculty member in charge of discipline tells an unjustly accused boy that personal guilt is immaterial and that punishment is meant to enable a person to take orders, while a guidance counselor questions a female student's decision not to attend college. The film concludes with the reading of a letter written to the faculty by a former student who is about to be dropped behind the demilitarized zone in Vietnam; his letter reflects the "virtues" of conformity and the importance of having respect for one's elders.
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Filmed at Northeast High School in Philadelphia.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1997
Released in United States March 1976
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1968
Re-released in United States July 7, 1994
Selected in 1991 for inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.
Released in United States 1997 (Shown in New York City (Film Forum) as part of program "60's Verite" November 14 - December 11, 1997.)
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1968
Released in United States March 1976 (Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (A Tribute to Frederick Wiseman) March 18-31, 1976.)
Re-released in United States July 7, 1994 (Film Forum; New York City)
