Customer Reviews

Target For Rage [Region 2]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I never heard of this movie before, so I decided to gamble as it has Rick Schroeder, who played Jon Voight's little boy in the 1979 The Champ. And this movie really exciting as it keeps you glued to the screen for its 90 mins running time.

The story is about a high school Drop out (Rick Schroeder) who got fired from his job because he has no high school diploma. So he came back to his old high school and started shooting at teachers and students and held the entire school hostage. It is said to be based on a true story but didn't say when it took place. Henry Winkler is great as the role of hostage negotiator. Freddie Prinze Jr co star as one of the student hostages.

The DVD is OK. The full screen picture is bright and clear and the sound is not too bad considering a made for TV movie. Overall this DVD is worth at least a rental.

We loved the movie and watched it several times. It came in the mail very quickly. In fact, it came in the mail a couple of days later. The movie was good. I liked how the young man kept his head and worked with the police to get not only himself but his fellow classmates released from the hostage situation.

Hostage High starring Henry Winkler, Rick Schroder and Freddie Prinze Jr. is a movie that kept me in my seat from start to finish. I found this movie to be a extremely well done film. Rick Schroder in one of his better films, and plays the part of a troubled young adult that creates a nightmare at a high school.

A local police officer played by Henry Winkler is the one law man that can bring the nightmare to a end without the loss of additional lives.

Winkler, Schroder and Prinze working together in this film creates a movie you simply can't walk away from. The drama is extreme, making this a worthwhile movie to purchase for home viewing or collectors.

I personally own Hostage High on DVD; I'm not going to let it go either. A great movie everyone must see. The film is rated for adult audiences because of the gun activity and the theme of the movie.

Excellent movie!

Reporter Joseph Toth
Washington Micro Bank BBS

I was one of the real-life hostages, so I bought the movie as soon as I heard about it. I knew it was a made for TV movie, so I wasn't expecting Oscar quality. I realize this is only "based on" a true story, so they have some artistic license, but they definitely did not capture the mood of the real-life events. It is much more like a mash up of the real event and a 12 year old's pizza party, which I found insulting. We did crack jokes and try to lighten the mood, but that is something you have to do in order to deal with having a gun pointed at you all the time. I blame the direction. All of that aside, the movie was interesting to watch, even as a watered-down version of the events and I think it would be a good conversation starter for parents and their children. I also give Henry Winkler a hair comb and two thumbs up. "ehhhhh"

Until NYPD Blue did I ever see Ricky Schroeder in a dramatic roll as an adult. I loved him in that show, as did I in "Hostage High." He acted the part extremely well. His facial expressions and blank stares during the movie were eerie. Just like that of an actual crazed killer. Yet he also showed the confused and caring side of this person Jason Copeland.
I only wish they would have given more detail about the real incident and people involved. The end of the movie sort of left me hanging,wanting to know more about the actual event and the life of the actual killer.

I saw this movie when it first came out, but it was called "Detention: Seige at Johnson High". i recorded it but it has since been ruined. I was also there that day, although i was not in the same building. I was friends with alot of the people that got shot, and with some of the people that were held hostage. as a matter of fact, Beamon was supposed to call me that day after school. but thats all im going to say about that because i dont want to scare my kids by breaking down right now. Johnny...i never knew that you were the one. i cant even imagine how your life has been since that day. i dont think ive even talked to you since just after it all. email me some time... yeah_baby_its_wicked_@msn.com
anyone else that went to school with us can email me also.

I have saw this film and it is a good one but the problem is i was one of the real hosteges and the movie is close enough to dreg up alotta memmorys i have tryed to for get i lost alotta good frends that day wich for their sake i will not say and my child hood to boot but to tell ya the truth if it is to be tolde it should be told the way it really went but for vewing sake good job all in all i just wish i would have known about this when it was being mad this is dedicated to all my frends and teachers who lived this nightmire with me i love all of ya ....forever in my thoughts... John M