United States

A group of young graduate officers and cadets refuse to surrender their historic Military Academy when it is announced that it is to be closed and sold to real estate developers. First the cadets defy their parents and the state police. Then they come into conflict with national guardsmen. Defiance turns into siege; siege leads finally to bloodshed, death and tragedy. This film, which looks at both present day military values and the patriotism and honour of the young cadets, emerges as one of the most unusual "war" films of recent years. Timothy Hutton (fresh from his Oscar-winning performance in Ordinary People) is the young leader of the rebellion; George C. Scott offers a vivid portrait of a hawkish general. A powerful and absorbing movie, directed by Harold Becker.