Class of 1999

Did You Know?

• The film was originally called Obedience.
• Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like A Hole" is featured on the soundtrack.
• Joshua John Miller was nominated for a Young Artist Award for his performance.

Plot

In the 1990s, youth gangs take over areas in major North American cities, with two major gangs—the Blackhearts and the Razorheads—vying for control. By 1999, the CIA, working with MegaTech head Dr. Bob Forrest, begins an experiment at Seattle's Kennedy High School: three former military robots become educators—coach Mr. Bryles, history teacher Mr. Hardin, and chemistry teacher Ms. Connors. Former delinquents imprisoned as part of the experiment are released, including ex-Blackheart Cody Culp.

On the first day, the teachers violently subdue students when conflict arises. Returning home, Cody finds his brothers and mother addicted to a drug called "edge." The next day, Razorhead Flavio attempts to rape Christie, Langford's daughter; Cody fights him off but is subdued by Bryles. Langford lets Cody off for saving Christie.

Later, Bryles beats Cody in the gym, but is interrupted by armed Blackheart Mohawk, whom Bryles kills by breaking his neck. Cody's brother Sonny arrives late to Hardin's class high on "edge"; Hardin forces vials of the drug into Sonny's mouth, beating him until he dies, and takes Sonny's cross. Langford covers up the death as a drug overdose. Cody and Christie skip school to find evidence, discovering the cross before the robots chase them off.

The robots decide to start a war between the gangs. That evening, they kill Cody's brother Angel; Connors kidnaps Razorhead Noser and sends him through a window on fire. Convinced the Blackhearts are responsible, Hector declares war. Cody finds Angel dead, rejoins the Blackhearts, and a gang war erupts.

During the fighting, the robots secretly kill members of both sides. Cody shoots at Hardin, discovering he is not human. Langford tries to terminate the program, but Forrest and Bryles kill him.

Release

Originally scheduled for release by Vestron Pictures through Lightning Pictures on October 6, 1989, the film was sold to Taurus Entertainment Group in March 1990 due to Vestron's financial troubles. Taurus released it theatrically on May 11, 1990. It first appeared on VHS via Vestron Video in 1991, later withdrawn. DVD releases occurred in South Korea and Australia; a widescreen DVD came from Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment in the U.K. in 2001. Lionsgate issued the first American DVD on September 16, 2008, and included it in a horror movie box set in 2012. Fangoria released the film on Hulu in March 2015. Lionsgate put out a Blu-ray in January 2018 as part of its Vestron Video Collector's Series.