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Rock 'n' Roll High School Play Trailer

Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)

tomatometer

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

audience

71

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 14,391

My Rating

Movie Info

Rock 'n' Roll High School is a prime example of a 1970s movie phenomenon: a cult film that was deliberately designed to be a cult film. High-schooler Riff Randell's (P.J. Soles) efforts to meet the Ramones are continually thwarted by rock & roll-hating principal Evelyn Togar (Mary Woronov). Ms. Togar is the zealous sort who conducts experiments on laboratory rats to prove the adverse effect of rock music on innocent teenagers. Riff knows that she'll have to be twice as clever and devious as

PG,

Comedy

May 2, 1999

New World Pictures

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Rock 'n' Roll High School Trailer & Photos

Critic Reviews for Rock 'n' Roll High School

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (5) | DVD (20)

It's more cleverly cut than shot -- which means that it moves quickly and energetically even as the concepts and characters disintegrate.

April 14, 2009 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

For all its throwaway humour, this is basically just a pleasant reworking of the kids versus adults rock'n'roll movie format of the '50s.

February 19, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The pity is that with a bit more care and flair, it could have been a really sweet little movie.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times
John Rockwell
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

casting the Ramones ranks as a real coup

March 4, 2011 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

... a pure, cheerfully juvenile blast of blitzkrieg guitar rock, Looney Tunes sight gags, teenage hormones and rebellion against authority because it's there.

May 2, 2010 Full Review Source: Seanax.com
Sean Axmaker
Seanax.com

Delectable

March 21, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

Nothing is taken seriously and nothing should be -- it's only rock 'n' roll.

April 14, 2009 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A spirited spoof on high school life.

December 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

We may never again see a teen comedy in which a school can explode and the movie can still be considered essentially good-hearted.

May 27, 2006 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

It's not like Rock 'N' Roll High School was pioneering brilliant cinema, but it is a brilliant little piece of work within its own framework.

February 5, 2006 Full Review Source: 7M Pictures
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures

...the overwhelming vibe of silliness eventually becomes exhausting.

January 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The Ramones make Ringo Starr look like Alec Guinness

December 20, 2005 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

This is the second greatest rock and roll movie ever made.

August 22, 2005 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

What punk rock lovin' fiend doesn't love the Ramones?

May 13, 2004
Jovanka Vuckovic
Rue Morgue Magazine Source: Rue Morgue Magazine
View all critic reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Rock 'n' Roll High School

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This is one great film that is nonstop fun from start to finish. I was surprised by how much I loved the film. This is one great musical that is funny and well acted. P.J Soles is as usual wonderful, and I find it's a fine departure from her horror career. The film has the famous Punk rock band The Ramones provide the soundtrack and an appearance as well. This is one of the best Cult films that you can see. The film is well written, fun from start to finish and has some great performances. If you're looking for the perfect rock musical, then this is the film to watch. Also Rock 'n' Roll High School delivers the laughs and is a good natured film and is one of the best Teen comedy films of the 1970's. The film's lead actress definitely makes this film what it is. If you're looking for a fun film to watch, then this is the perfect choice. There's never anything boring the film, and it is entertaining from start to finish and it is one of the most enjoyable musicals that I've seen. Director Allan Arkush did a fine job here and with a great at hand, he able to pull off something special and the result is seen on-screen. Simply a well done film that delivers everything you want from a good old fashioned Cult hit. Rock 'n' Roll High School is definitely one of the finest cult films that Roger Corman has produced.
July 5, 2012
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

A movie musical that straddles the fine line between sugary sweet and punk rock chic, Rock 'n' Roll bridges that gap between Grease and High School Musical, with songs that aren't nauseating and characters that are against the establishment but don't broach on Fonzie territory. Somehow this movie makes a case for punk music but in a feel good kind of way. The characters are all high school students up against the new principal, Togar, who hates The Ramones and tries to make an example of the high school's hippest rock and roll protege Riff Randell. Riff loves The Ramones, and most of the movie is about her getting to meet them, seeing them in concert, and the fight against the principal. A lot of rock and punk music is featured, especially showcasing The Ramones. Casting the band was a brilliant move, and they really shine here as silent versions of themselves, ribbing with the rest of the characters. The movie also moves really fast from one idea to the next, more of the cuts being featured than the editing. It's also funny in many ways, including sight gags, references, and a brand of humor that I can only closely describe with parody but on its own superficial level. I loved the mood, the costuming, the gun ho attitude of the students and the unavailability of the entire film. It was truly manic, Looney Tunes' fun, and if you love The Ramones on top of everything else, than this is the film for you.
August 8, 2010
FrizzDrop
Spencer S.

Super Reviewer

Rock 'n' Roll High School Quotes

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    1. Riff Randell: Tom Roberts is so boring, his brother is an only child.
    – Submitted by Tammy S (12 months ago)
    1. Evelyn Togar: Do your parents 'know' your The Ramones?
    – Submitted by Tammy S (12 months ago)
    1. Riff Randell: I'm a teenage lobotomy.
    – Submitted by Tammy S (12 months ago)

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Latest News on Rock 'n' Roll High School

December 15, 2011:
Five Favorite Films with Roger Corman
Movies as we know them just wouldn't be the same without Roger Corman. Sure, filmmakers like...

July 31, 2008:
Stern's Rock & Roll High School Remake Gets a Writer
After years of discussions, it appears the Howard Stern-produced remake of Rock & Roll High School...

October 11, 2006:
Ramones Biopic: All Revved Up And Ready To Go?
Gabba Gabba Hey! The story of the Ramones, perhaps the most influential American punk band of the...

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