The Principal (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Principal is a 1987 action thriller directed by Christopher Cain, starring James Belushi, Louis Gossett Jr. and Esai Morales. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $19.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 37 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Christopher Cain
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- TriStar Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Principal About?
The premise of The Principal without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A dedicated principal's structured world is disrupted by the arrival of a vibrant, unconventional volunteer teacher. Their differing philosophies and teaching styles create immediate friction. As the new teacher challenges the principal's established methods and core beliefs, a clash of ideals unfolds, leading to escalating tensions and a captivating confrontation that tests their professional and personal boundaries.
The Principal Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- teacher as protagonist
- car
- u.s. car
- chevrolet
- chevrolet motor vehicle
- chevrolet impala the car
- chevrolet impala
- kawasaki
- man
- woman
- motor vehicle
- school
+38 more Show fewer
- teacher
- gun
- drugs
- high school
- lowrider
- coca cola
- coors beer
- jheri curl hairstyle
- wrath
- vigilantism
- threat
- sunglasses
- student
- sexual assault
- security guard
- revolver
- rage
- menace
- knife
- high school student
- female teacher
- danger
- criminal
- criminal gang
- classroom
- bully
- brutality
- black woman
- black man
- beating
- baseball bat
- anger
- oakland california
- poverty
- race relations
- janitor
- motorcycle
- police
The Principal Cast
James Belushi leads the cast, with Louis Gossett Jr. and Esai Morales. Directed by Christopher Cain; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Christopher Cain
Also Starring in The Principal
· 6 moreMore from Christopher Cain
More films directed by Christopher Cain, best-rated first: Young Guns, That Was Then... This Is Now, The Next Karate Kid and September Dawn.
The Principal Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Principal 37 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 37 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB
The Principal Plot Summary
What happens in The Principal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As Rick Latimer, portrayed by James Belushi, encounters his estranged ex-wife Kimberly at a local bar, a tumultuous clash between his past and present ignites a fierce explosion of emotions. Following a heated exchange with her divorce lawyer, Rick’s frustration boils over as he wreaks havoc on the lawyer’s vehicle, leaving it a mangled wreck. The repercussions of this outburst are immediate and grave, leading to his incarceration.
In response to Rick’s chaos, the school district opts to transfer him to Brandel High, known for its rampant gang issues and a culture of delinquency. This institution acts as a dumping ground for the most troublesome students from various schools, and at first, Rick feels lost amidst the turmoil.
Full summary
The whole story of The Principal, scene by scene
The Principal Box Office
The Principal grossed $19.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$19.7M
- US & Canada
- $19.7M
The Principal Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Principal.
How Well Do You Know The Principal?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Rick Latimer's profession at the start of the movie?
Cars in The Principal
63 cars on screen, including the 1968 Chevrolet Impala and the Honda VT 750 C Shadow.
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1968 Chevrolet Impala Important role -
Honda VT 750 C Shadow Important role -
1979 Dodge St. Regis Minor role -
1987 Jeep Wrangler Minor role
The Principal Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “El director: Uno contra todos” and “Der Prinzipal”.
- Also known as
-
- El director: Uno contra todos
- Der Prinzipal
- The Principal - Una classe violenta
- Le proviseur
- El rector
- Az új diri
- אדוני המנהל
- Um Diretor Contra Todos
- Директорът
- Årgang '88
- Reksi
- Οι απειθάρχητοι
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- Med ryggen mot veggen
- Dyrektor
- A Lei do Reitor
- Rektorns lag
- Директор
- 铁腕校长
- 프린서펄
- Belalı Okul
Seen The Principal?
Movies Like The Principal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Teacher, Principal Takes a Holiday and High School High.
The Principal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Principal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Principal?
The Principal runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was The Principal released?
The Principal was released on September 18, 1987.
Who directed The Principal?
The Principal was directed by Christopher Cain.
More films by Christopher Cain Who is in the cast of The Principal?
The Principal stars James Belushi, Louis Gossett Jr. and Esai Morales, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Principal make at the box office?
The Principal grossed $19.7 million worldwide.
How is The Principal rated?
The Principal has 37 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Does The Principal have a post-credit scene?
No. The Principal has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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