The Substitute (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Substitute is a 1996 action thriller directed by Robert Mandel, starring Tom Berenger, Raymond Cruz and Luis Guzmán. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $14.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 54m (114 min)
- Director
- Robert Mandel
- Original language
-
Spanish - Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Substitute About?
The premise of The Substitute without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A gifted literature professor leaves his university position to teach in his struggling hometown. Returning to the community he left behind, he must face unresolved issues from his past, including a strained relationship with his father and the difficult circumstances affecting the town’s residents. He finds himself grappling with personal demons while trying to connect with his students.
The Substitute Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- seminole indian
- vietnam war veteran
- pizza
- urban setting
- teacher
- high school
- mercenary
- drugs
- gang
- schoolbook
- teacher student relationship
- defenestration
+38 more Show fewer
- two word title
- news report
- machismo
- f word
- scene during opening credits
- slow motion scene
- top secret
- secret mission
- mission
- commando
- commando unit
- commando mission
- military
- soldier
- special forces
- palm tree
- beach
- gun battle
- following someone
- presumed dead
- street shootout
- undercover
- false name
- reference to fidel castro
- mixed martial arts
- reference to adolf hitler
- fight to the death
- flare gun
- final showdown
- final battle
- punched in the chest
- punched in the face
- kicked in the stomach
- kicked in the face
- zodiac boat
- suit and tie
- boiler room
- sexual innuendo
The Substitute Cast
Tom Berenger leads the cast, with Raymond Cruz and Luis Guzmán. Directed by Robert Mandel; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Robert Mandel
Also Starring in The Substitute
· 5 moreMore from Robert Mandel
More films directed by Robert Mandel, best-rated first: F/X, School Ties, A Season on the Brink and Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story.
The Substitute Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Substitute 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
-
IMDb 6.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 41 Metascore
User score 6.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
The Substitute Plot Summary
What happens in The Substitute from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As Shale (Tom Berenger), a seasoned mercenary and Vietnam veteran, makes his way back from a harrowing mission in Cuba, he is confronted by a personal catastrophe – his girlfriend, Jane Hetzko, lies in a hospital room, her leg brutally shattered from a knee-cap attack. Driven by a thirst for vengeance and justice, Shale adopts the identity of a Harvard-educated substitute teacher in Miami, using this facade to enlist the help of his former soldiers, each bearing their own psychological scars from prior conflicts, including Raymond Cruz, Luis Guzmán, William Forsythe, and others.
Full summary
The whole story of The Substitute, scene by scene
The Substitute Box Office
The Substitute grossed $14.8 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$14.8M
- US & Canada
- $14.8M
The Substitute Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Substitute.
How Well Do You Know The Substitute?
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 Shale's background before becoming a substitute teacher?
Cars in The Substitute
35 cars on screen, including the 1988 BMW 735i E32 and the 1993 BMW 740i E32.
-
1988 BMW 735i E32 Important role -
1993 BMW 740i E32 Important role -
1989 Ford Bronco II Important role -
1964 Buick LeSabre Minor role
The Substitute Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “El sustituto” and “Заміна”.
- Also known as
-
- El sustituto
- Заміна
- Замена
- L'ora della violenza
- Vikaren
- Mörderischer Tausch
- A félelmek iskolája
- Sınıfta Olay Var
- Επικίνδυνος αντικαταστάτης
- Belfer
- Заместникът
- Pavaduotojas
+8 more Show fewer
- Kostoisku
- O Substituto
- 虎猛警师
- מורה מחליף
- นักเรียนที่นี่...ต้องมีคนปราบ
- 톰 베린져의 백색지대
- El substitut
- Suplent
Seen The Substitute?
Movies Like The Substitute
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All, The Substitute and The Replacement Killers.
The Substitute FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Substitute, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Substitute?
The Substitute runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was The Substitute released?
The Substitute was released on April 19, 1996.
Who directed The Substitute?
The Substitute was directed by Robert Mandel.
More films by Robert Mandel Who is in the cast of The Substitute?
The Substitute stars Tom Berenger, Raymond Cruz and Luis Guzmán, among 9 credited actors.
How much did The Substitute make at the box office?
The Substitute grossed $14.8 million worldwide.
How is The Substitute rated?
The Substitute has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 41 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Does The Substitute have a post-credit scene?
No. The Substitute has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Substitute in?
The original language of The Substitute is Spanish.
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