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School Ties Details

1992 DVD Certificate PG.gif
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 674 members

A working-class teenager (Brendan Fraser) receives a football scholarship to an elite New England prep school and enjoys acceptance as the team hero--until his classmates discover he is Jewish. The film also features the likes of Matt Damon, Benn Affleck and Chris O'Connell in early staring roles. Read more

Starring Brendan Fraser, Chris O'Donnell, Andrew Lowery, Amy Locane
Director Robert Mandel
Genres Drama

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School Ties cover art

School Ties

A working-class teenager (Brendan Fraser) receives a football scholarship to an elite New England prep school and enjoys acceptance as the team hero--until his classmates discover he is Jewish. The film also features the likes of Matt Damon, Benn Affleck and Chris O'Connell in early staring roles.

Starring Brendan Fraser, Chris O'Donnell, Andrew Lowery, Amy Locane, Peter Donat
Director Robert Mandel
Studio PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 42 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate PG.gif
Genres Drama
Language English
Dubbed French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitles Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish
Released DVD: 05 May 2003
Production year: 1992
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of School Ties

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Although responsible and challenging, School Ties isn't just a sermon sugared by the forceful presence of Chris O'Donnell and Brendan Fraser. 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. The film is a mix of Gentleman's Agreement and the code-of-honour subplot of Scent of a Woman, as aspiring American footballer Fraser hides his Judaism to ensure that he succeeds at an exclusive school where racist remarks are part of polite conversation. Not all the pitfalls are avoided, but the performances are impressive.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...Surprisingly effective....[Fraser] is crucial to the movie's success. His performance has to find the way between his character's ambition and pride..."

    • Chicago Sun
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of School Ties

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  • 10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Brendan Fraser as you've never seen him before

    Brendan Fraser starred in this hard-hitting high school drama about a young Jewish schoolboy who moved from the ghettos to the poshest school in Boston. Being a star Quarterback, he had been headhunted for a special annual football match between his school and their fiercest rivals. Once arrived, he quickly learned that 'to be a Jew' was not a religious or cultural thing, but a derogitory term used for a miser or cheating someone. This was discovered on his first night when a fellow schoolmate talked about 'jewing down' a shopkeeper who sold him a gramaphone.

    David (Fraser) removed his Star of David and hid his heritage and beliefs and was soon the most popular boy in the school....Until he falls for the girlfriend of his 'best mate'.

    Once David's heritage is revealed by mistake, his life is made hell and it seems that his dream of a Princeton Education may soon be just that.

    Watch out for the shower scene! Fraser shows a great deal of excellent acting in this 1950's drama. It also stars Matt Damon. It is very different from Fraser's more recent movies, lacking the comedy and focusing on the drama. however, if you like Fraser or even Matt Damon, you could do worse than watch this film to see them REALLY flexing their acting skills.

      • A customer from Derbyshire, England
      • Posted 07 Jul 2004 06:10

  • Most recent members' review of School Ties

    View all
  • 10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Brendan Fraser as you've never seen him before

    Brendan Fraser starred in this hard-hitting high school drama about a young Jewish schoolboy who moved from the ghettos to the poshest school in Boston. Being a star Quarterback, he had been headhunted for a special annual football match between his school and their fiercest rivals. Once arrived, he quickly learned that 'to be a Jew' was not a religious or cultural thing, but a derogitory term used for a miser or cheating someone. This was discovered on his first night when a fellow schoolmate talked about 'jewing down' a shopkeeper who sold him a gramaphone.

    David (Fraser) removed his Star of David and hid his heritage and beliefs and was soon the most popular boy in the school....Until he falls for the girlfriend of his 'best mate'.

    Once David's heritage is revealed by mistake, his life is made hell and it seems that his dream of a Princeton Education may soon be just that.

    Watch out for the shower scene! Fraser shows a great deal of excellent acting in this 1950's drama. It also stars Matt Damon. It is very different from Fraser's more recent movies, lacking the comedy and focusing on the drama. however, if you like Fraser or even Matt Damon, you could do worse than watch this film to see them REALLY flexing their acting skills.

      • A customer from Derbyshire, England
      • Posted 07 Jul 2004 06:10

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Rating breakdown

674 Member ratings
  • 100
43
  • 90
37
  • 80
105
  • 70
125
  • 60
162
  • 50
83
  • 40
59
  • 30
29
  • 20
20
  • 10
11

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      • A working-class teenager (Brendan Fraser) receives a football scholarship to an elite New England prep school and enjoys acceptance as the team hero--until his classmates discover he is Jewish. The ...