Search - Hostage High [Director's Uncut Version] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 10/16/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan - Closed Captioned Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 33 mins Studio: Live/Artisan Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Docudrama

An angry and unstable youth lashes out against the school he believes has destroyed his future in this made-for-TV drama inspired by a true story. Jason Copeland (Rick Schroder) is a teenager teetering on the edge of emotional collapse; he was kicked out of high school for poor grades, he hasn't been able to find a job, and living at home with his bitter and demanding mother has become intolerable. One day, Jason snaps and decides to take revenge against the teachers who he believes ruined his life. He grabs a couple of guns and a stockpile of ammunition and invades his old high school, killing several teachers and students and then taking 62 kids hostage. Among the students being held at gun point are Aaron (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a bright but rebellious student who is having his own problems at school, and Samantha (Katie Wright), whose father is a deputy with the local police department. As Skip Fine (Henry Winkler), generally regarded as less than the brightest penny in the local police force but the only one with training in hostage negotiation, tries to talk Jason out of taking any more lives, Aaron and Samantha try to convince Jason from the inside that letting the students go and giving himself up would be the best thing to do. Hostage High was originally screened on American television under the title Detention: The Siege at Johnson High. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Rick Schroder - Jason Copeland
Freddie Prinze, Jr. - Aaron

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rick Schroder star in the taught and tense thriller Hostage High. Artisan has given this film a full frame transfer that looks surprisingly good. While not perfect, the color schemes and black levels look very well-rendered and even. However, on par with a full frame transfer, there is an excessive amount of grain and dirt in many key scenes. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 in Spanish and English. This is a middle-of-the-road Dolby 2.0 soundtrack that includes no true surround sound features, though it is clear of any distortion or hiss. Also included on this disc are English subtitles. Shockingly, this small movie includes a few substantial extra features, starting off with an informative and very insightful commentary track by producer Steve Natt and actor Henry Winkler. Also included on this disc are the usual biographies of the actors and filmmakers, a limited stills gallery comprised of about 12 photos, and a theatrical trailer for the film. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide