Three O'Clock High

I remember seeing this on one of the pay channels on cable in the late 80’s(when it came out).Didn’t get the hype/recognition that some of the other 80’s high school movies did,but it’s just as good(if not better),than any of them.Best quote from the movie:”I’m going to find you.”(Dolinski).Classic part,classic movie.

I really love this movie. It's underrated and deserves more appreciation. Classic movie between good guy vs bad guy.

Weird movie but very entertainingQuick delivery, well packaged

As far as the plot of this movie is concerned it has been thoroughly described already by many others. Jerry has an awkward initial encounter with Buddy Revell which leads to Buddy challenging Jerry to a fight after school, Jerry then tries to do anything and everything possible to get out of their fight with zany consequences but in the end Jerry mans up for a climatic end all the while using elaborate and sophisticated crane camera shots, end review. If it was good or bad at the end of the day it's up to you to decide though let me just say this is one of those films that after viewing it leaves you the impression of either loving it like crazy or hating it so much you'll want to bury every release print, Betamax, VHS, DVD, (and if there is one)upcoming Blu-Ray copy in existence and never look back. If you have already seen the movie the DVD's technical features and not the storyline might be the biggest factor in deciding if this DVD is worth your purchase or not and that is what I would like to focus on.When details first arose about a Three O'Clock High's DVD edition almost a year before it was released the speculation was it might be a bare bones release with no extras and that is exactly what we get, no director`s commentary, no behind the scenes feature or even the original trailer. Though the DVD can't be judged for what it could of or should have been if we just stay focus on what's actually on it, one can make a fair assessment on it.One can say the biggest letdown for this DVD is its lackluster audio offerings. The DVD has no Stereo 5.1 sound, no secondary audio language option (even though there are many known dubbings of this film in different languages like Spanish, French, Portuguese), no director's commentary, no extra deleted footage, no behind the scenes features, just one sole 2 channel stereo track (yes, really just one audio track on the DVD). From the start it was a given more likely than not the audio was going to be on the paltry side but many were still hopefully that at least it would have a director's commentary or even just a small featurette with the director on his experiences and present views on the film. It really is a shame that there is no Phil Joanou director's commentary track given his high energy personality and ability to vividly remember intricate details about his past projects. Had their been a director's commentary track, it would of more than made up for the small audio offerings.Despite the DVD's audio 'downers' this release's biggest strength is that for the first time since being released in theaters the movie is in a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 rather than the formatted to fit your screen Pan and Scan TV broadcast and video releases that was the only available format for this movie throughout the years. The widescreen aspect of this release almost entirely makes up for the just one stereo audio track this DVD has to offer. In this widescreen format you get to experience the real richness of the camera work (especially crane work) done on this movie (which director Phil Joanou planned and test ran several months prior to actual shooting). From the beautiful panoramic views of surburban Ogden, as well as the high school's beautiful architecture to the rowdy pep rally in the gym, to the climatic fight scene that perfectly captures the Roman Gladiator-esque arena atmosphere the director was aiming for but lost with the old Pan and Scan version of the film, in this DVD everything comes alive and made new with the widescreen ratio.The widescreen aspect is also made better with the well done picture quality this DVD brings to the table as well. The picture quality is as good as you can get when making the transfer to DVD. One thing is certain that the company who worked on the DVD release of this film did an incredible job cleaning up and producing a very clean picture. This release beats out all other releases and TV broadcast of this film. The image is so clean and crisp that one can see the heavy dust particles flying in the air in Jerry's room at the beginning of the movie.You may be discourage from buying the DVD because of the bareness of it compared to other films that are packed with quality extras, but in the end the new added dimension of finally being able to view it in widescreen format makes it unique in the sense that not since the theater release has one been able to see the whole picture. Also throw in the fact the movie's catchy theme song Something To Remember Me By by Jim Walker plays completely in the end credits makes it not bad at all. The only solid argument I can think of against buying this DVD is if there were a newer format release in the works that included a director's commentary track or other added bonus material, other than this is a decent release of the film on DVD.

Well written , well acted and entertaining.

...Ogden High School: Ogden, Utah, 1987...Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) is a nice, responsible 18 year-old boy with a lot going for him. He's a good student, he works for the school's newspaper, manages the school's supply store, drives to school, and has a strange, but attractive girlfriend. But today he didn't have a very good start: He overslept, the laundry wasn't finished (his parents are away for a few days), his car has a flat tire, and he nearly has a traffic accident driving his mother's car to school.And it only gets worse; as he arrives at class, rumors are floating around about the new kid at school. Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson) is a mean, oversized, very strong, EXTREMELY (!!!) frightening bully with a violent reputation. But to make him feel welcome at his new school, the editor of the school paper assigns Jerry Mitchell to interview him and do a fluff piece on him. Their conversation is a disaster, as everything he says and does only further antagonizes Revell. It ends with Revell challenging Mitchell to a fight after school at three o'clock, telling him he can't hide; it's a guaranteed blood-bath. ("...You sneak home, I'll be under your bed...") No matter how hard he tries, Mitchell simply can not get out of it, and goes to more and more extreme measures to avoid the fight. Thinking detention will get him out of the fight, for example, he gives a somewhat tasteless book report in English Literature class which is a highlight of the film. He does everything he thinks will land him in detention, but the outcome isn't quite what he expected. It's an excellent piece of comic irony.In the end, the showdown does happen; it's an obviously one-sided battle, and you could say Mitchell wins by merely showing up. Revell literally towers over him, so he is forced to grow a pair and stand up for himself in this terrifying situation. The fight is quite believable, as Mitchell suffers some painful injuries in the course of it, but he pulls on some hidden resources trying to hold his own, and regardless of the outcome (you'll have to watch to see for yourself), he earns the respect that was missing from his life up to this point.Throughout the film, watch all the little nuances, such as the film about insects during science class, the zooming close-ups of Jerry Mitchell as the moment draws near, and the frequent shots of the clocks throughout the day. You can see him becoming more and more afraid, understandably so, as three o'clock looms on the horizon.There aren't any of the expected extras in this disc, and some people have removed a star or two for it, but remember the days of VHS and before? The film speaks for itself, and as I say in my title, it was overlooked and underrated.A great sleeper.

Jerry Mitchell is given the dubious honour of writing an expose on the new kid in town Buddy Revell. However Buddy's reputation as a total headcase proceeds him and when Jerry finally plucks up the courage in seizing the opportunity to make friends, he makes a big mistake by innocently touching Buddy's arm. Resulting in Buddy taking exception and calling Jerry out at 3pm at the end of school. Will Jerry be able to wriggle out of a certain beating before 3pm or is Buddy gonna add yet another scalp to his long record of classmates he's duffed up...Really good 80's, feel good, teen comedy from America this one. I completely agree with other reviewers in that I cant believe this isn't better known, as it's right up there with the best of 'em. Again, as another reviewer stated, the editing is really well done but I would also say that this is well written, acted and made too, with for my money at least, a great cast of usual suspects, especially with the relentless loner and oddly complex psycho Buddy!In the end, the pay out is pretty much what you'd expect but over all its highly entertaining and has a number of great lines and moments that made me laugh. The lead, reminding me a little of Robert Blake from Electra Glide In Blue and its got John P. Ryan in it, who's always great to watch!The biggest downside to this film being the fact that there wasn't a spazzy kid running round the corridors repeatedly shouting "FIGHT!FIGHT!FIGHT" when it all kicks off, like there always was in my day.The Region 2 dvd although a decent print is as bare bones as it gets. However I doubt this will ever have the following to generate an extras packed blu ray.4.5/5 stars rounded up.

Had this on videotape, struggled to get it on DVD, by chance i found it on Amazon...Please be aware.. this DVD is not Region 2 {UK etc} but USA & Canada...Fortunately i do have a multi region dvd player...but it may catch a few people unaware of this... [like me!]Nowhere does it say on the Amazon page for this that its only region 1....sort this out Amazon...

This is a kind of forgotten 80s film. It’s not up there with goonies or risky business but it’s still fantastic. It’s Still as good as I remember all those years ago. And tangerine dream hit the mark again with the soundtrack. A great addition to any 80s collection.

Great film good quality!

This is a must see 80's film! Can't believe this wasn't more popular, def buy it if you are a John Hughes fan, very like some of his 80's films.