The Chocolate War

1988
R
1h 44m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Ilan Mitchell-Smith in The Chocolate War (1988)

Coming-of-Age Dark Comedy Teen Drama Drama

The Vigils are a gang of students at Trinity Catholic School... part of the tradition. They control the other boys by intimidation and the threat of violence.The Vigils are a gang of students at Trinity Catholic School... part of the tradition. They control the other boys by intimidation and the threat of violence.The Vigils are a gang of students at Trinity Catholic School... part of the tradition. They control the other boys by intimidation and the threat of violence.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Photos70

+ 65

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film's music budget was about $15,000. Most of the artists featured on the soundtrack allowed the filmmakers to use their songs at bargain basement prices. David Bowie wanted $100,000 to use his song "Heroes" during the final scene and credits, so Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" was substituted. In exchange for the use of two of his songs, and in light of the difficult subject matter of the film, musician and activist Peter Gabriel requested that his affiliation and support of the human rights organization Amnesty International be included in the film's post-credits.

Quotes
[Archie is on the phone with Janza who has just told Archie about him and a gang beating up Jerry]
Archie Costello: [into the phone] WHAT? Janza, can't you do anything right?
Emile Janza: [into the phone] Hey, you said that the guy should take a hint about what he's up against. So, I thought I give him a brutal ass-kicking to show him that it's not nice to mess around with the Vigils. I asked some kids to assist me with the brawl.
Archie Costello: [into the phone] Who were they? I don't want outsiders involved in this!
Emile Janza: [into the phone] Just some animals that live in my neighborhood. They'd beat up their own grandmothers for a dollar.

Connections
Featured in Camp Midnite: Show 104 (1989)

Soundtracks
In My Room
Performed by Yazoo (as Yaz)
Written by Vince Clarke
Used with permission of Stainless Music (BMI) on behalf of Sonet Records and Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of Sire Records / Mute Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User reviews47

Review

Featured review

good film, great book

As a movie, THE CHOCOLATE WAR is good, but doesn't do justice to the book. Robert Cormier's 1974 novel ranks with A SEPARATE PEACE and CATCHER IN THE RYE as a landmark in young adult literature. While the film does wimp out on the original ending, it does a great job of conveying the bleak landscape of the adolescent mind and the dreary banality of high school life. Exterior shots are filmed under overcast skies, interior shots in gloomy half-light. Like the tone of the book, the film's atmosphere is stifling, apprehensive, and glum. The actor playing Archie gives a methodical, sociopathic performace. Yes, there is some artyness to the film, but it conveys the complex emotions in actions among the characters. Doesn't seem to have been widely released in theatres and was available on video at one point, this one gets overlooked when the lists of best teen films of the eighties are compiled. A stunning indictment of adolescent cruelty. Worth seeking out.