hqfedlegion-1 I can talk about military school as I was third generation to attend a military school; my father and grandfather attended the same school. And I wanted to go; to escape from the small town syndrome. They wanted to shoot "Taps" there, but we turned it down as, our president at the time, a retired 2 star general said, "It portrayed the military school student as a radical." Gee secret groups are bad. So public groups like gangs are forgotten? Any organization will have good and bad in it. At the military school we had Black, Whites, Asian, Mexican, etc. The only color that mattered were the black, gray and blue of your uniform. Time there mattered. If you were a new boy, (1 year of less) you were the lowest form of life, no matter what color you were. Old Boys, +1 year and who had signed our honor code, were the upper level. It didn't matter what color or how old. And when women started there, some of the older alumni had problems with that. But I am here to tell you, in the final years of life of that school (which was shut down to mis-management and money... gee always money) the female company was the best there. the military school, when I attended 1977-1983, was a great way to prepare young people for the future-be it in the military or in life. Anyone who say different, well... I won't say what I think. If you didn't go to a military school, you don't know. Just like being in the military. I am proud that I attended and still have more friends from than I can count from there, over 30 years later. How many can say that about the school you went to? numquam non paratus

caspian1978 A movie about discipline, the Lords of Discipline is the wrong title to what could have been a great movie. David Keith stars in a Taps like movie where a coming of age drama turns into a thriller. Some interesting characters, that end up not going anywhere, the movie has a plot but no real story that drives the audience to keep watching. Issues of race and equality take a back seat to the overall story of discipline. Military schools are looked upon as either a wrong idea run by the wrong people, or the only real justice left. These questions are not answered as David Keith tries to lead his cast. Instead, a nice movie, but far from anything great. Much like David Keith's performance, the movie falls short of anything timeless.

drkstr60 As a cadet who experienced a very similar situation, I found the story to be very close to the truth. I enjoyed watching the movie although most (if not all) of the performances were stilted and stuffy! I was a former R.O.T.C. cadet, who was actually supposed to attend The Citadel (the institution that movie supposedly depicts) and attended another Military College...I found the depictions very close to some of the "on-goings" of Military College life for cadets (at that time), including some of the treatment of cadets with different ethnic backgrounds.The performances of the "actors" in this movie showed their inexperience at that time. Although, some of those actors learned from the experience and are some of the best known character actors, although mostly in comedic roles (I wonder, why?) of current films, including: Judge Reinhold and "Wild" Bill Paxton.I recommend this film as a film to be watched by those learning how to act. It is a prime example of what not to do. Hopefully, no one imitates any of the acting in this film but hopefully they will use it as a learning tool.

AshCUtiger Being a major Pat Conroy fan, Lords of Discipline is my favorite book that he has written. The story is masterfully written and includes many different subplots that all connect together to form the main plot. The film was a great film that told the point of the story very well. However, when watching the film, I feel that many major parts of the book are left out. *BOOK SPOILERS* Annie-Kate, a major character in the book is left out. It brings even more blame to Tradd St. Croix because he got her pregnant then deserted her and left Will to take care of her. It adds much more to how the enormous amount of crap(for lack of better words) Will unknowingly took on in Tradd's place. Also, Pignetti's death is a very vital part in the book that should have been put in the movie because it ties so closely to "The Ten" and the roommates' relationship. Well thats enough of my complaining about what could have been done better in the film. For someone who has not read the book, it is a great film and displays a wonderful message that all people should hear. However, I suggest reading the book before seeing the film. It will explain a lot and show a lot of different sides of the character. Lords of Discipline, the film, gets an A+ in my book.