Private School
Starring: Phoebe Cates, Betsy Russell, Matthew Modine, Michael Zorek, Fran RyanDirector: Noel Black
Studio: Universal Studios
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release: March 6th 2007
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DVD Review
Take Animal House, throw in a dose of television's Bosom Buddies and you get the Phoebe Cates/Matthew Modine sex farce Private School. The 1983 film was shot one year after Cates won fame in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (thanks primarily to her little red bikini), and two years before Modine won rave reviews for his work in Vision Quest. While neither star gives a stellar performance in Private School, both are appealing and likeable, even with the ridiculous premise. Chris (Cates) attends an all-girls private school, while horndog Jim (Modine) matriculates at the nearby all-boys school. In order to get close to her, Jim and his friend dress up like girls and befriend Chris and her hot posse. When Chris' sexy rival Jordan (Betsy Russell) tries to woo Jim away by riding a horse, Lady Godiva style, the stage is set for a catfight. Throw in a guest appearance by Sylvia Kristel of Emmanuelle fame and double entendres abound. The soundtrack is full of songs by '80s staples such as Rick Springfield, Vanity Six, and Bow Wow Wow, whose "I Want Candy" is played throughout a peeping shower scene. Though cheesy and intended for teenage boys, the film has an almost innocent charm compared to some of the current fare in theaters. --Jae-Ha Kim
User Reviews
Private School - Rating: 3/5
This started out cheesy. Probably one of the lamest movies ive seen and not particularly in a 'good way'...though it had its moments. It seemed like one big excuse to see women naked and the acting was average at best. Its about some students at an all girls private school called Cherryvale Academy. Theres 2 girls that want the same guy whos also a student at a nearby Academy for Men. Also some kind of relationship between one of the girls and that guy. In between all this the guys start dressing up like women to get into the girls dorms to pull pranks on them. As the movie went on it got a little bit better and there were some genuinely funny scenes in it 'like the car scene' but nothing spectacular. I also liked some parts of it and was able to relate to some of the things that went on and laughed to myself. I guess you could call this a 'sex or romantic comedy'. I call it that but also just an excuse to see hot girls naked. 2.5- 3
Oh Betsy,Betsy,Betsy!!! - Rating: 4/5
I saw this when it came out and it is typical of the 80s teen romance films of the era. Pheobe Cates was hot but Betsy Russel was every male teens dream. She was super hot and a bad girl. The shower scene was legend. Not a cinematic masterpiece,it is one of the great teen movies of the 80s. Oh Betsy,Betsy,Betsy!!!
Betsy Russell, Super hot ! - Rating: 4/5
Sure, Phoebe Cates got top billing but this movie belongs to Betsy Russell as she shines in every single scene (and I think Phoebe used body double in her naked shot from behind scene). Betsy's topless scenes are still consider legendary today, too bad her acting career is too short.
The picture transfer is good, clean and sharp while the 2 channel mono is OK, I would have given it a full 5 stars but this DVD has nothing else to offer. Not even theatrical trailer and even worse not even chapter selection just an English subtitle. A commentary by the stars would have put this dvd on a different level. But in the meantime, enjoy Betsy Russel, what a sight.
Private School DVD review - Rating: 4/5
I'm glad this finally made it to DVD. After watching it in all of its cheesy glory, I must say, it's still good! Ok, ok, maybe it's just because Phoebe Cates is a goddess and Betsy Russell is so freakin hot. Russell randomly prances around flailing her exposed breasts around like it's nobody's business. In fact, just watching her top come off while horseback riding is completely off the wall, ridiculous, and awesome at the same time. Get this DVD if you like a bunch of random nudity. If you're into the typical 80s fare like Back to School, and Fast Times then you'll dig this movie. You can't be the type of person who cringes at cheesy, dated movies. If anything, get it for Phoebe Cates having sex on the beach.
Brings back memories! - Rating: 3/5
I received this DVD last night and ordered it because of Phoebe Cates, who I am still in love with! She is such a beautiful woman!
This movie is typical 80's fare, guys chasing women and trying to get some any way they can! That pretty much was a reflection of my own thinking at that time and loved these movies when they came out. Of course, throw in Phoebe Cates and potential skin shots, and I am there!
Realistically, its not that great of a movie, unless you love Phoebe! That's pretty much the only reason I bought this movie!
PS the sound is in MONO! I forgot that few movies were in stereo at that time!
