NCJ Number
55671
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDED FOR BOTH JUVENILE AND ADULT AUDIENCES, THIS FILM ON JUVENILE VIOLENCE EXAMINES THE MAKINGS OF A GANG-RELATED ASSAULT AND MURDER TO HIGHLIGHT THE ESSENTIALLY POWERLESS POSITION OF THE SCHOOL AND POLICE.
Abstract
BASED ON DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS, THE FILM TRACES A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG ETHNIC SCHOOLBOY WHO IS HOUNDED BECAUSE OF HIS REFUSAL TO ALIGN HIMSELF WITH SEVERAL JUVENILE GANGS AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL HE ATTENDS. CORNERED BY FIVE MEMBERS OF ONE SUCH GANG, HE IS FORCED TO STAB AND SERIOUSLY INJURE ONE OF HIS TORMENTORS. ALTHOUGH HE MANAGES TO ESCAPE HIS ASSAILANTS, IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT BY THE END OF SCHOOL THAT DAY HE MUST CHOOSE ONE OF THREE COURSES OF ACTION: (1) ACCEPT THE ASSISTANCE OFFERED HIM BY A CONCERNED TEACHER; (2) TURN HIMSELF OVER TO THE POLICE, AS RECOMMENDED BY A SYMPATHETIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, OR (3) FIGHT THE INJURED GANG MEMBER'S COMPATRIOTS. HE CHOOSES THE LATTER AND WITH HIS CONFIDENCE BUOYED BY A PISTOL TAKEN FROM HOME, HE CONFRONTS THE GANG. SEEING THE PISTOL, THEY AT FIRST FLEE, ONLY TO RETURN MOMENTS LATER AND CUT HIM DOWN WITH A SHOTGUN FETCHED FROM THEIR CAR. (KBL)