Drama Cult Classic

Integration sparks conflict as a tough teacher faces racial tensions in an urban high school.

HALLS OF ANGER

Q: What is Halls of Anger about?

Halls of Anger is about a predominantly black inner-city high school that is integrated with white students, leading to racial tension, and the efforts of a tough black teacher to manage the resulting unrest.

You've Got 3000 Black Kids, 60 White Kids, And A War Going On.

1970 · 1h 36m · R · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A predominantly black high school is integrated by white students and trouble follows.

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Quick Answer

What is Halls of Anger about?

Halls of Anger is a 1970 American drama film directed by Paul Bogart about the challenges faced when a predominantly black inner-city school is integrated with white students and a tough black teacher is brought in to help.

Programmer's Pick

Blaxploitation with a conscience, Halls of Anger doesn’t shy away from the heat of racial tension or the complexities of integration. Paul Bogart’s film pulls no punches, with Calvin Lockhart holding the screen as the teacher tasked with steering a divided school through its stormiest days.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In Halls of Anger, the uneasy process of school integration is put under a microscope as a formerly all-black high school in an urban setting receives a few dozen white transfer students. The arrival of the newcomers stirs up immediate and aggressive opposition from the existing black student body, creating an atmosphere thick with racial tension. In response, the administration turns to Quincy Davis, a tough and principled black teacher, hoping his leadership can calm the unrest and guide both students and faculty through this volatile transition. The film delves into the raw and often uncomfortable realities of desegregation, confronting issues of racism, identity, and resistance in a charged educational environment.

Details & Specs

Director: Paul Bogart
Writers: John Herman Shaner, Al Ramrus
Release: 1970
Runtime: 1h 36m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Drama

Why This Matters

This film features Jeff Bridges in his first credited role, marking the beginning of his notable acting career.

— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Paul Bogart Writers: John Herman Shaner +1 more

Calvin Lockhart Quincy Davis

Janet MacLachlan Lorraine Nash

Jeff Bridges Doug

James A. Watson, Jr J.T. Watson

DeWayne Jessie Lerone Johnson

Ed Asner Ernie McKay

John McLiam Boyd Wilkerson

Rob Reiner Leaky Couloris

Barry Brown Winger

Helen Kleeb Rita Monahan

Hilly Hicks Amory

Randy Brooks Sabin

Roy Jenson Harry Greco

Lou Frizzell Phil Stuart

Gilbert Green Mr. Cargyll

Davis Roberts Mr. Willis MB Martin Blaine Mr. Thornbush

Chris Graham Carl

Harry Holcombe Mr. Margolin

David Sheiner Mr. Perkins

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Why Cult

School Integration Drama

See desegregation play out on gritty urban turf, exploring the immediate fallout when an all-black high school integrates white students.

Blaxploitation Edge

Rooted in the blaxploitation tradition, this film brings an unvarnished look at race relations and authority clashes in the classroom.

Calvin Lockhart Leads

Calvin Lockhart takes center stage as Quincy Davis, the no-nonsense teacher brought in to tackle chaos and bridge divides.

Urban Setting Tensions

Set against a raw urban backdrop, the film grounds its drama in the realities of inner-city life, from institutional challenges to street-level confrontations.