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The Principal

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr. in The Principal (1987)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
42 Photos
ActionCrimeDramaThriller

A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.

  • Director
    • Christopher Cain
  • Writer
    • Frank Deese
  • Stars
    • Jim Belushi
    • Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Rae Dawn Chong
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Frank Deese
    • Stars
      • Jim Belushi
      • Louis Gossett Jr.
      • Rae Dawn Chong
    • 66User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Principal
    Trailer 2:10
    The Principal

    Photos42

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    Top cast61

    Edit
    Jim Belushi
    Jim Belushi
    • Rick Latimer
    • (as James Belushi)
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Jake Phillips
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Hilary Orozco
    Michael Wright
    Michael Wright
    • Victor Duncan
    J.J. Cohen
    J.J. Cohen
    • White Zac
    Esai Morales
    Esai Morales
    • Raymi Rojas
    Troy Winbush
    Troy Winbush
    • 'Baby' Emile
    Jacob Vargas
    Jacob Vargas
    • Arturo Diego
    Thomas Ryan
    • Robert Darcy
    Reggie Johnson
    Reggie Johnson
    • Jojo
    Kelly Jo Minter
    Kelly Jo Minter
    • Treena Lester
    • (as Kelly Minter)
    Ruth Beckford
    • Mrs. Jenkins
    Julian Brooks
    • Kevin
    Joan Valderrama
    • Secretary
    Rick Hamilton
    • Mr. Harkley
    Marty Pistone
    • Security Guard
    • (as Martin Pistone)
    Richard Dupell
    • Buddy
    • (as Richard Duppell)
    Peter Fitzsimmons
    Peter Fitzsimmons
    • Buddy
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Frank Deese
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, California was used as the filming location for the affluent school at the beginning of the film. Many students and teachers served as extras. After filming of the scenes were finished, Jim Belushi posed for a picture with everyone from that school. The picture has been printed in the yearbook from that year since.
    • Goofs
      When Rick Latimer and Jake Phillips first meet, Jake takes his hat off, then, in the next shot, his hat is on. Finally, in a third shot, his hat is off again and he puts it back on.
    • Quotes

      Raymi: Man, do you know where you are? You're at Brandel. Ain't you heard what they said about this place? Garbage NEVER leaves the dump.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Fatal Attraction/The Principal/Orphans/Amazon Women on the Moon/In the Mood (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Livin' in the Line of Fire
      Written by Jay Gruska, Bruce Roberts and Andy Goldmark

    User reviews66

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Do Not Mess With This Administrator

    James Belushi stars as a teacher with a short fuse who gets to become the principal of the roughest high school in the city. He turns out to be just what the doctor ordered and just what the students and employees needed. "The Principal" is a very violent film that could be best described as "Lean on Me" or "Stand and Deliver" gone stark-raving mad. Belushi is solid here and so is high school security guard Louis Gossett, Jr. in a supporting role. 4 stars out of 5.
    • tfrizzell
    • Nov 24, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Principal?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 18, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Prinzipal - Einer gegen alle
    • Filming locations
      • Oakland, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Dorica Film
      • ML Delphi Premier Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,734,940
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,297,710
      • Sep 20, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,734,940
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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