Search - Hard Lessons on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1986 DVD Release: 04/23/2002 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 34 mins Studio: Live/Artisan Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Drama, Docudrama, Urban Drama

This made-for-TV drama was based on the true story of George McKenna (played by Denzel Washington in one of his first leading roles), an educator in Los Angeles who faced the greatest challenge of his career when he was named Principal of George Washington Memorial High School. Located in a run-down inner-city neighborhood, Washington High was being torn apart by gang violence and drug dealing, and much of the student body seemed more interested in surviving the day than in learning. McKenna was determined to make Washington High a safe place where students could get a quality education which would allow them to go to college if they so desired, but he soon realized he was facing an uphill battle, having to deal not only with gangs and delinquent students, but apathetic teachers and parents too busy or unconcerned to help in the education of their kids. The George McKenna Story also stars Lynn Whitfield, Debra Artis, and Richard Masur; after Denzel Washington's later rise to superstar status, the film was rereleased on home video under the title Hard Lessons. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Denzel Washington - George McKenna

Eric Laneuville directed his old St. Elsewhere castmate in the inspirational TV movie Hard Lessons, which comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are neither subtitles nor closed captions on this release. Although there are no supplemental materials of any consequence, fans of Denzel Washington should enjoy this typically powerful performance. There is little of interest here, however, for the average DVD consumer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide