I actually still had this movie on one of my ooooooold VHS tapes that was unlabeled with another movie on it. Saw it 2 days ago..times have changed! When I saw it back in 1987 me and my brother were like "man we are not going to stray the wrong way and end up like that kid". It was so believable..back then. I found watching it as an adult in the present time UN-believable.
This was an HBO version of an "Afterschool special" only thing was that this contained profanity and violence. It was also supposed to be one of those "scared straight" type of movies for Teachers to possibly show to their classes.
The Story is about a 15 yr old kid named Fred Godwin who wants to be tough, he tries to look tough by having his hair slicked back and sneaking a cigarette during school hours. He is actually more like a follower just trying to fit in. He gets tested by a local trouble maker kid named Bobby Cummings (not sure of the first name but something to that affect)this troublemaker sets up a robbery for Fred to accomplice in, a woman's place is robbed and he is accused but he proclaims he is innocent of the crime...and that's when the movie takes us to "juvenile hall" and we watch as Fred really gets "tough" but at the same time still remain sensitive because he is nothing but a follower and a kid that just needs better direction. He has to remain in Juvy until they can prove his innocence.
I don't think this HBO movie is available anywhere because times have changed and it would hold no significance due to the very dated material and subject matter it has. A lot of things that the system did back then are no longer allowed and a violation of a person's rights. Seeing it at this point in life would be just out of curiosity. If you're curious I have it available to watch.
