The Explosive Generation

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The Explosive Generation

1961

1h 29m

Drama

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3 Reviews

56%

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100+ Ratings

High school teacher Peter Gifford (William Shatner) is admired by his students, because he understands the problems they face in their daily lives. After an uncertain situation with her boyfriend, senior Janet Sommers (Patty McCormack) broaches the idea that Gifford teach sex education. Believing the students should have proper knowledge, Gifford assigns them to write anonymous essays about sex to go over in class. When the puritanical PTA hears of the assignment, Gifford has to fight to teach.

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

For a B movie "The Explosive Generation" isn't half bad--and it's fun watching Shatner in his first big feature role.

Rated: 6/10

Mar 20, 2011

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

William Shatner's first big role is in this low-budget youth film.

Rated: C

Jun 9, 2009

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Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

... an early celebration of social protest from the youth generation.

Sep 17, 2007

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Audience Member

Enjoyable period piece. Shatner has weirdly entertaining energy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

For a B movie "The Explosive Generation" isn't half bad--and it's fun watching Shatner in his first big feature role.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

An enjoyable if extremely ridiculous early 60s after school special in which a whole town freaks out because four teens may or may not have had sex. William Shatner stars as the idealistic teacher who wants to discuss the taboo topic in class and sparks off a crazed teenage rebellion. Waaaaaaaayyyyyy goofy, but kitschy fun. VF.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Never released on VHS or DVD, I caught this on TCM, and you should try to catch this campy time capsule. Captain Kirk wants to answer the kids questions about sex and all sorts of campy drama ensures. Fun stuff.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Surprisingly not too bad. Slightly more mature than the typical 1960s youth versus the establishment film. Strong performances all around, particularly William Shatner and Patty McCormack.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

This was a good movie and if you put it in context of when it was made, it is a great movie. A teacher asks his students what they want to talk about. They want to talk honestly and openly about sex. He knows he will get in trouble, but after much insistence from the students, he decides to go ahead. Someone tells their parents about it and they go nuts and get all the parents to get the teacher fired. The students start a protest. It isn't until the end of the movie that the parents finally listen to their kids and realize it isn't the teacher's fault. Their kids have questions and had no one to turn to for answers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Buzz Kulik

Director

William Shatner

Peter Gifford

Lee Kinsolving

Dan Carlyle

Patty McCormack

Janet Sommers

Billy Gray

Bobby Herman Jr.

Virginia Field

Mrs. Katie Sommers

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Synopsis

High school teacher Peter Gifford (William Shatner) is admired by his students, because he understands the problems they face in their daily lives. After an uncertain situation with her boyfriend, senior Janet Sommers (Patty McCormack) broaches the idea that Gifford teach sex education. Believing the students should have proper knowledge, Gifford assigns them to write anonymous essays about sex to go over in class. When the puritanical PTA hears of the assignment, Gifford has to fight to teach.

Director: Buzz Kulik
Producer: Stanley Colbert
Production Co: Vega Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 29m

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