Dangerously Close (1986)

Director:

Albert Pyun

Writers:

Scott Fields (writer)
Marty Ross (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 May 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Action

Tagline:

At Vista High there's a thin line between being cool and getting caught.

Plot:

Rebel without a cause or a clue at an elite but uptight college discovers some of his classmates have...

Plot Keywords:

Gang | Murder | Automobile | Secret Group | Videotape

Cast

John Stockwell	...	Randy McDevitt
J. Eddie Peck	...	Danny Lennox
Carey Lowell	...	Julie
Bradford Bancroft	...	Krooger Raines
Don Michael Paul	...	Ripper
Thom Mathews	...	Brian Rigletti
Gerard Christopher	...	Lang Bridges
Madison Mason	...	Corrigan
Anthony De Longis	...	Smith Raddock
Carmen Argenziano	...	Molly
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.	...	Leon Biggs
Dedee Pfeiffer	...	Nikki
Karen Witter	...	Betsy
Greg Finley	...	Morelli
Debra Berger	...	Ms. Hoffman

Also Known As:

Campus '86 (USA)
Choice Kill (USA)

Runtime:

95 min | Germany:90 min (video version) | Germany:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | France:-12 | Norway:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Company:

Cannon Group

Movie Connections:

Features The Delta Force (1986)

Soundtrack:

SEA OF CORTEZ

Similar to Brotherhood of Justice. Coincidence or not?

Reading the synopsis to this film, I was reminded of movies like Skulls and Disturbing Behavior, where a small, tightly protected group of richies form an underground society to target unwanted classmates.

This movie, written in part by actor John Stockwell who portrays the unofficial leader of the Sentinels, Verde High's fascist secret society formed to "serve and protect", is nearly identical to a made-for-tv movie released the same year called Brotherhood of Justice. Brotherhood was based on a true story of a secret society formed at a Texas high school that eventually went from theft and vandalism prevention to goals of extreme violence. So, I wonder if the writers of Dangerously Close were inspired by the same events.

The major differences between the two, however, are that Brotherhood of Justice is primarily told from the viewpoint of one of the leaders of the gang, while Dangerously Close is seen from the viewpoint of one of their prospective victims. And, secondly, in Dangerously Close, the high school principal, sponsor of the gang, was the pivotal force behind the murders. The Sentinels were only supposed to rough up a few of their targets. The Texas High School events which Brotherhood is based on, left out the involvement that the gym coach had in the secret society. That is why I think both films were inspired by the same events.

It was alright. I've always enjoyed John Stockwell, or at least his earlier appearances and behind-the-camera work. It was also nice seeing Robert Russler, though only briefly. I thought it was a pretty good B-rated thriller.