School Ties

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School Ties

PG-13

1992

1h 47m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When David Greene (Brendan Fraser) receives a football scholarship to a prestigious prep school in the 1950s, he feels pressure to hide the fact that he is Jewish from his classmates and teachers, fearing that they may be anti-Semitic. He quickly becomes the big man on campus thanks to his football skills, but when his Jewish background is discovered, his worst fears are realized and his friends (Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell) turn on him with violent threats and public ridicule.

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Critics Consensus

Led by an A+ cast, the road to School Ties is paved with good intentions that are somewhat marred by the honorable yet heavy-handed message against intolerance.

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Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Times

Well-meaning and earnest, "School Ties" (citywide) moves through its measured paces with dogged predictability.

Aug 21, 2019

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Matt Mueller

Empire Magazine

The boys put in fine performances but sadly the script lacks the depth of what could have been a challenging story.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 15, 2007

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

This is a bewildering mixture of fairly accomplished storytelling, awkward contrivances in the script, and lies in the overall conception so egregious they undercut any pretensions the film might have to social seriousness.

Oct 15, 2007

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

"School Ties" seems unlikely to capture the audience that made a hit of "Dead Poets Society."

Aug 21, 2019

Full Review

David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

But why did the filmmakers relegate their story to the 1950s, as if such attitudes weren't still alive and dangerous?

Aug 21, 2019

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Sure, it has a serious message, but it is put over with a grasp of reality that gives it a better-than-average chance of getting through

Rated: 3/5

Aug 21, 2019

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Andrew C

This is one of those movies that stuck with me growing up, I was immediately drawn to Brendan Fraser's character and was seriously pissed when they started tormenting him. Great story, great acting, great film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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Horror fan 4

An absolute favorite of mine. A wonderful cast of characters and a wonderful story about friendship and relationships. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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mark g

I know it's formulaic, but really well done.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

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Sedrick S

Great story of personal struggle and fickleness of popularity and human nature.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought it had a pretty amazing cast of young actors who are now some over Hollywoods biggest stars. I remember watching this years ago during class toward the end of the year and even in 7th Grade the movie was captivating. The story of Davids plight of being the new kid at such a prestigious prep school would not be easy for any kid. He is the kid who has street smarts, as well as his book smarts. Both of which he uses throughout the film and shows just what kind of man David was brought up to be.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

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Nick S

Great cast with a good setting and interesting and worthy plot/message. It was an engaging movie that became a minor classic over time. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

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Robert Mandel

Director

Brendan Fraser

David Greene

Matt Damon

Charlie Dillon

Chris O'Donnell

Chris Reece

Randall Batinkoff

Rip Van Kelt

Andrew Lowery

McGivern

School Ties: Official Clip - I Saw Dillon Cheat

2:13

School Ties: Official Clip - Nervous Breakdowns

2:09

School Ties: Official Clip - St. Matthews Wins

2:13

School Ties: Official Clip - Anti-Semitism

2:14

School Ties: Official Clip - I Saw You Cheat

2:12

School Ties: Official Clip - The Joke is on Us

2:14

School Ties: Official Clip - Take it to the Alley

1:28

School Ties: Official Clip - I'm the Same Guy

2:11

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Synopsis

When David Greene (Brendan Fraser) receives a football scholarship to a prestigious prep school in the 1950s, he feels pressure to hide the fact that he is Jewish from his classmates and teachers, fearing that they may be anti-Semitic. He quickly becomes the big man on campus thanks to his football skills, but when his Jewish background is discovered, his worst fears are realized and his friends (Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell) turn on him with violent threats and public ridicule.

Director: Robert Mandel
Producer: Sherry Lansing, Stanley R. Jaffe
Screenwriter: Dick Wolf, Darryl Ponicsan
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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