Class of 1984
Part of An Evening with Mark L. Lester
Class of 1984 was obviously ahead of its time (because of the title) when released back in 1982. But it also now seems highly prescient in terms of its psychologically accurate depiction of social brutalization; indeed, more than ever. But fear not! Such serious and “educational” subtexts (the film’s main character Andy Norris is a newly-arrived, idealistic, high-school music teacher) are translated into a cinematic language that make both the picture’s anarchy-minded teen characters and the audience of hardcore grindcore fans tremble in awe. Patent leather, studs, multicolored hair, assault-gun salvos and a fresh-faced Michael J. Fox—Mark L. Lester’s lesson in the genre makes us yearn for another round of detention. (bh)
In attendance of Mark L. Lester (director)
is a renowned director and producer, founder and president of the production company American World Pictures, where he has overseen the development and distribution of over a hundred films. He is also the founder of Titan Global Entertainment. Born in 1946, he began his career with drive-in classics like Truck Stop Women (1974) and Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976). His breakout movie was Roller Boogie (1979), but he is best known for his work in the 1980s, beginning with the legendary Class of 1984 (1982) and culminating in big budget movies like the Stephen King adaptation Firestarter (1984) and Commando (1985). His latest directorial effort was The Dragons of Camelot (2014). He has since concentrated on producing films such as, most recently, the horror thriller Cinderella’s Revenge (2024).
