David (Derrell Maury) is a new student at Central High, set near the mountainous California coast. A friend from his past, Mark (Andrew Stevens), welcomes him and makes a strong effort to recruit David into the tough foursome that dominates the school: outsiders don't have a comfortable life. Along the way, David strikes up a friendship with Mark's girlfriend, Theresa (Kimberly Beck). Observing the gang members bullying and raping their way through the student body, David chooses to side with and aid the victims and to spend time with Theresa. The gang turns on David, sending him to the hospital. Limping and aloof, David returns. Then one-by-one, most of the gang die accidentally. As the former victims realize what is happening, they rejoice and become overbearing themselves. Then the former victims begin to die, not so accidentally. Of the thirteen credited characters, a double-digit number die violently. How will it all end?



The blood and gore is at a realistic level. The film is technically not a slasher film since no one is stabbed or slashed and the killer is not some unknown in a mask. No gun is fired. There are explosions, collisions, electrocutions, and the like.



The skin shots are quite generous. All three credited female characters have topless scenes, as do most of the credited male characters. There are several rear-end shots and a scene of a couple romping nude at night in the surf.



The acting is fairly good. Most of the actors had extensive experience both before and after this film. I thought Andrew Stevens did especially well as the ambivalent gang member, Mark.



The students run the show. The film presents no teachers or parents. The school building is a stately palace with an Ionic columned portico in front, apparently set all by itself in the coastal California countryside. The actors are all early 20's; so, other than the gym and locker scenes, one could imagine this as a college film. The DVD image is clean. The film seems to have been influenced by the romance of student takeovers of the 1960's, by Lord of the Flies, and by High Noon. Carrie with Sissy Spacek came out the same year. The action is self-contained and reflects its period well.



Massacre at Central High raises interesting social issues while keeping the blood flowing. It deserves more active distribution. High 3.