11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dedication shows through, May 2, 2002
This review is from: Hostage High (DVD)
This film is based on actual events at Lindhurst High School in Olivehurst, California, May 1, 1992. The local community strongly resisted and resented the making of this film, but they tuned in just the same, and those of us involved agreed that the film is a powerfully, even disturbingly, truthful presentation of the events of a shooting spree followed by an eight hour standoff and hostage negotiation.
I was a technical adviser for this film, and so had the priviledge of visiting the set to see some of the filming, and to meet the cast and crew. Everyone involved with the project invested themselves very heavily in this project, were happy to be working with the director Michael Watkins (a real talent), and showed genuine interest in portraying reality as closely as possible. Their dedication really shows in the final product. Obviously, liberties have to be taken to keep a desensitized television audience enrapt, but truth be known, the portrayals in this film are very close to the reality of the situation, at least from the perspectives of the character portrayed by Freddie Prinze Jr. Henry Winkler's character is based on the story of another technical advisor to the production, and I suspect that this is also very close to reality. In fact, much of the script is taken from transcripts of tapes the police made of the event with hidden microphones. Producer Steve Natt and his associates worked for nearly three years to get this movie off the ground and have it done right.
Ten years ago, I lost a beloved teacher and three beloved classmates to a gunman whose own life had spiralled down into hopelessness and dispair. His pain and anguish led him to cause inflict pain and anguish on others about which the local paper still runs articles. The top-notch performances by the writer, the actors, the director, and every member of the crew made this an extraordinarily watchable, yet true-to-life portrayal of a tragedy that torments many lives still today.
The truth is always worth telling, and this film does it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY REAL... IN EVERY DETAIL!!!, July 16, 2006
This review is from: Hostage High (DVD)
I was a senior at Lindhurst High School the day of the shooting in 1992, and this movie, which the story was based, has done its homework. There is not a day that goes by that I am not, in some way, reminded or affected by the horrific events of that May 1 day. I was 19 at the time of the shooting when I lost my first period teacher, which this film portrays. He was more like a lifelong family friend than just my Civics Instructor. He was a true mentor to me and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He will continue to be missed and never forgotten. This true-to-life epic recaptures the raw terror and horror of the siege. I very highly recommend this movie to everyone.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good film but awful situation, December 16, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Hostage High (DVD)
I love true-to-life movies and I just finished watching it without realizing what was in store for me. First off, I wanted to add that the DVD provides a commentary track with the actor Henry Winkler and director Steve Natt. The director Steve Natt really does mention where the film was done and where the story originated from. This film was based on a true story from Northern California and was filmed in Utah. The incident took place in May 1, 1992(during the week of the L.A. rioting) and the film began to take shape four years later. I think the director Michael Watkins did a remarkable job with this film by bringing the small town to life before our eyes. The struggle between the emotions and the urgency at hand were protrayed remarkably. Also, all those who worked on the music did a great job. Over all the acting is really good, but the story is not very appealing to many who rather see something more joyful.
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