Massacre at Central High

(1976)**1/2

It’s David’s first day at generic Central High School. Almost from the moment he pulls up in his jeep he learns that the school is under the strict control of a group of bullies. Initially they give him the opportunity to join them in their Clockwork Orange-like mayhem. However when David refuses to go along with their shenanigans, which includes little things like raping whoever they feel like raping, the bullies viciously turn on him and ultimately maim him. David, now with permanent limp, decides to tell on the bullies and they all get detention. Just kidding. David channels Charles Bronson and begins murdering the bullies one at a time. After achieving this worthy goal the oppressed students rejoice. No longer controlled by the bullies, the students go wild, a little too wild. This doesn’t sit well with David at all, who is disgusted, for example, when he sees everyone engaged in a cafeteria food fight. So what does David do about it? He decides to kill them all as well! Sure why not.

What's ya problem, we're just rapin' ya!

Question: What do you get when you cross Heathers with Death Wish? Answer: Massacre at Central High. Central High School is one of those movie schools where there are no adults and no rules. Not once do we see anyone sitting in a classroom. In fact every scene in the school takes place in the hallways. When I went to high school I recall having like 5 minutes to get from one class to another. Not once do we see any cops. David’s murder spree would be huge news and David is the obvious culprit. The students all appear aware that David is the one responsible for the deaths but not one goes to the authorities. Don’t get me wrong; the implausibility of the story is what makes it so much fun! Massacre at Central High is essentially a story about morality gone amok. David isn’t a bad guy at all, but his black and white sense of justice is his ultimate undoing. I’m certain the director was attempting some political allegory but I’d be lying if I told you that I knew what it was. This was one of the better slashers I checked out this year.