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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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A Poor Immitation
Admittedly I am reviewing this movie in comparison to the infinitely better book, which may not be fair. There's no way to improve upon any of Pat Conroy's books in movie form, but it is possible to at least measure up. In this regard, this movie failed miserably.
After reading Mr. Conroy's masterpiece, I was overjoyed to see the movie at my local Blockbuster. I excitedly took it home to show my wife in hopes that she would understand the brilliance that is Pat Conroy. After watching it, I sat speechless while she asked "what's the big deal?" I had no answer, as I too felt that the movie was a few hours of my life that were sincerely wasted.
In taking a book of this quality and thoroughly "hollywoodizing" it, the movie makers have done a severe disservice. The good looking leading man, the happy ending, etc. The book was one that I'll remember until the day I die. This movie is nothing more than an excuse to eat popcorn and relax for a few hours. You've got much better things to do with your time than to waste it on this drivel.
Rating: 
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The Lords of Discipline
This is a great film that deals with a traditional "Southern Racial Discrimination" at a military academy, it's a movie that should have been fully restored on DVD and released long time ago. So why now at Viacom/Paramount Picture it's been listed for a 2010 DVD release beats my imagination.
Can any one tell the studio that we need it on DVD right now in 2005 and not by 2010.
Rating: -
An old favourite.
I remember giving this movie repeated views on vhs and enjoying every minute. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I never read the book so can only go by the film on it's own merit.
The performances are what make this really worthwhile - Michael Beihn stands out in a pre-terminator performance - and the direction is solid.
Just one question ... WHY A 2010 RELEASE DATE??? ... let's hope this gets pushed forward!
Rating: 
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Something's missing
Perhaps if The Lords of Discipline stood alone as a movie, I would hold it in higher regard. Sometimes books and movies work a symbiosis on each other. In this case, the mastery of the book immeasurably takes away from the movie.
Thank goodness for VHS/DVD formats - I don't remember the movie ever coming out "in a theater near me" - it seemed to have been quite forgettable in its day. It was likely compared back then (unfavorably) to "Taps" when "Taps" had the George C. Scott "Patton" connection, not to mention being the "rookie card" of an up and coming cast of young stars.
I enjoy watching it now simply because my son is about to graduate from El Cid and it is a reasonably good way for him to show his old high school friends what it is like. It is a pity it could not have been filmed "on location" at The Citadel to at least have preserved that archival angle. Whereas the book seemed to capture the zeitgeist of the era, the movie comes across as "dated" a mere 20 years after its release. It just baffles me why Conroy's book is lauded (rightfully so) as a contemporary literary masterpiece and the movie is Plain Jane vanilla. I think it could have been directed in a more sophisticated manner - the final product just looked like it was made for late night TV viewing.
I have contemplated what a remake would be like, but it just wouldn't work, either. Race relations, out of wedlock pregnancy, all-male institutions - none of these seem to have the impact they once had. Perhaps it could be re-worked with the "first female" schtick, but that is probably just as dated now - less than a decade removed from the controversy . As others have commented, a TV serial probably would have been a more appropriate format. Better yet, just read the book - it is much more enjoyable.
BTW - on the art work on the original VHS, doesn't that look like Jean-Claude Van Damme? What is the deal with that? It is a bit like watching James Brolin playing the role of Pee-Wee Herman.
Rating: -
Superb military school drama.
This one is an old favorite of mine, which I pre-ordered on DVD the instant I learned it was available. I have an old VHS recording of the film, which I have viewed many times. I have also read the book many times, and I consider it to be Conroy's best work.
This is the story of four young men at Carolina Military Institute, a fictional military academy located in South Carolina, which is of course a pseudonym for The Citadel, which is a fine military academy that really does exist. The film is set in the 1960s. The first black cadet (first year cadets are called "knobs" at the Institute) has just arrived. A secret society within the Institute, known as "The Ten" has pledged that no black will ever graduate from the Institute, regardless of ability.
David Keith turns in his customary excellent performance as the black cadet's designated mentor. The plot moves at a fast pace, but nevertheless does not feel rushed. Purists have criticized the fact that the film leaves out many sub-plots contained in the novel. I feel that the movie made the right choices about what to keep and what to delete, and of course these choices had to be made unless this was to be a 12 hour miniseries.
I liked the script, the acting, and the ending. This is a wonderful film. It is the type of film that most viewers will watch periodically over the years, and I am delighted that it will shortly be available on DVD.
