Lord of the Flies (1990)

O An excellent must-see
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / May 29, 2007

Based on the novel by William Golding, “Lord of the Flies” has become a modern classic, particularly for junior high readers.

Some criticize this slightly modernized adaptation, but it still makes the same scary statements about human beings and still contains its small glimmer of hope.

A group of boys, between nine to 12 years old, are cadets in a military boys’ school. While traveling from overseas, their plane crashes into the ocean. The survivors manage to swim to a small, deserted island somewhere “in the tropics.” There are no functional adults present to supervise the castaways, so they establish their own society.

But the movie takes a dark turn as it observes the boys’ rapid descent into lawlessness and savagery. Not all of the boys succumb to animalistic tendencies, however.

The movie’s tagline summarizes it best: “No parents. No teachers. No rules … No mercy.”

This edited version is still somewhat violent and disturbing. But perhaps because of my own upbringing with this story, I would still recommend it for junior high viewers.

“Lord of the Flies” is most upsetting because we can easily see the truth of its painful commentary about human nature.

Directed by Harry Hook
Balthazar Getty / Chris Furrh / Danuel Pipoly
90 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 10 and up

DVD release date: November 20, 2001
Copyright 2007.
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