OVER THE EDGE at HOLLYWOOD TEEN MOVIES

The term "JD film" was used in the 1950's to describe teen movies that featured Juvenile Delinquents in prominent roles. Films such as "Rebel Without A Cause", "The Wild One" & "Blackboard Jungle" were included in this category. In 1979 director Jonathon Kaplan made "Over The Edge" a film that was considered a return to the JD films of the 1950's but this one has developed a reputation as being even grittier and more realistic. "Over The Edge" was to be Matt Dillion's debut film. Matt would later go on to become one of the teen idols of the 1980's in films such as "The Outsiders" and "The Flamingo Kid". Some reports have suggested that "Over The Edge" was based on real-life events that took place in Texas. Whatever the case may be "Over The Edge" is a powerful teen drama dealing with the conflicts teens face with parents and authority. It also looks closely at a number of social issues and puts forward a message to suburban planners. Parents might like to attract industry to their town but in doing so they neglect their children. The kids then have to find their own amusements, so they partake in vandalism, theft, drugs, sex and violence. "Over The Edge" is only available on VHS but the film has developed such a cult following over the years that fans have even put forward a petition to have it released on DVD in its original Widescreen format. "Over The Edge" also boasts an impressive soundtrack of artists such as Cheap Trick, The Cars, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen and Valerie Carter.

TITLE : Over The Edge
YEAR OF RELEASE : 1979
CLASSIFICATION : R
DIRECTOR : Jonathan Kaplan
STARRING : Matt Dillon, Michael Eric Kramer, Pamela Ludwig, Vincent Spano, Tom Fergus, Harry Northup, Andy Romano, Ellen Geer, Richard Jamison, Julia Pomeroy,Tiger Thompson, Eric Lalich, Kim Kliner, Frank Mugavero, Kristina Hanson.
TAGLINES :
* Watch Out For The Children.
* ...A real story of teenage rebellion.
* Nobody listened. Nobody Cared. Until The Night They Went... "Over The Edge"

Over The Edge [DVD](1979) DVD
Fascinating, overlooked drama of teens in a planned suburban community who, out of sheer boredom, begin a series of pranks that escalate into a deadly game of violence. Matt Dillon makes his film debut as the leader; co-stars Vincent Spano, Ellen Geer. Top rock score; Jonathan Kaplan directs. 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary by Kaplan, others; theatrical trailer.