Killing Mr. Griffin (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Very Reasonable Teen Thriller

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 4 August 2005]

Mr. Griffin (Jay Thomas) is a bitter high-school teacher, who pushes his students to the limit and is hated by most of them. When he humiliates the popular student Mark Kinney (Scott Bairstow) is his class, Mark convinces his friends to play a prank on Mr. Griffin. The group manipulates Susan McConnell (Amy Jo Johnson), using her to attract the teacher to the parking area after hours. They kidnap, blindfold and take him to an abandoned boat house nearby a lake, and trying to frighten him, they leave him tied on a chair alone in the desert place without his heart pills. Mr. Griffin dies and when his body is found, the group panics.

"Killing Mr. Griffin" is a very reasonable teen thriller. It is not a masterpiece or an awful movie, as written in many reviews, but a slightly above average story with a good moral lesson in the end. I believe the intention of the writer is to show the consequences of the steps each one of us decide to follow in life, no matter who the person is. The character of Mr. Griffin is very nasty and arrogant, being impossible to feel any sympathy for him. The Brazilian title is ridiculous, and the VHS released by "Europa Filmes" shows a picture of the body of Mr. Griffin in a grave with the students around, inducing the viewer that the genre of this movie would be horror. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Terror Ronda a Escola" ("The Terror Rounds the School")

Not as good as the book

[bonomo_pierre · 5/10 · 12 June 2018]

The book is much better. It is more realistic and the charcters' motivations are better presented. Their back stories are absent in the film. In real life, any student would have broken down much earlier.

The acting, especially Tori's, is not good at all. However, the end was much more dramatic and exciting than in the book.

For a weeknight network movie... you could do worse

[n-mo · 6/10 · 30 May 2017]

'Killing Mr. Griffin' isn't a remarkable film, and the production values could best be described as "B+." However, it is saved by its willingness to tread into the darker territory of high school peer pressure and cliques with reasonable verisimilitude (unlike, say 'Cruel Intentions' or 'She's All That') and strong performances on the part of the lead cast, especially Amy Jo Johnson as Susan McConnell. Despite her lovely looks and renown for her breakout role as Valley Girl Queen Bee and Pink Power Ranger, Johnson is more than convincing as a socially awkward "Plain Jane" bookworm who nonetheless won't miss a sudden chance to join the cool kids and who tragically casts aside childhood loyalties and moral scruples along the way. The frame story also works wonders to that effect, providing the character introspection that would otherwise have been lost in the screen adaptation.

Nevertheless, the writers seem to have treated the adaptation of the source material a bit hastily in some respects. Mr. Griffin is here portrayed as an anti-social jerk as opposed to the somewhat brash drill sergeant and ultra-strict grader he was in the book, and so it's somewhat more difficult to have empathy with respect to his ill fate. The script also loses texture relative to the novel by its abandonment of the very well-done psychiatric dimension to the character of Mark Kinney (probably due to the difficulty of adapting his or the other characters' backstories in a single-shot film) and its under-exploitation of the Shakespearean parallels in the original plot.

Overall it's reasonably entertaining, certainly better than your average 'Movie of the Week,' and it's definitely a treat if you're a fan of Amy Jo Johnson, but if you've got time to kill consider reading the novel.

Pleasantly Surprised.

[Gabbiegurl222 · 19 August 2004]

This movie really did surprise me, I expected it to be horrible. I watched it with my sister because she has a star crush on Mario Lopez and honestly expected to be bored out of my mind. Yet again, a t.v. movie managed to prove me wrong. It's not that I thought it was wonderful, it wasn't. It was predictable, stereotypical, and the writing was occasionally weak. But in general the actors managed to capture the emotional soul of the character, which in my opinion will make any movie worth watching. While it's not the best movie created by any stretch, it keeps your attention without requiring in depth thought, and if you just feel like sitting back and watching a movie for a good time, this is a good one to watch.

The Book is Better

[pierrebonomo · 3/10 · 8 June 2017]

My class just finished watching this movie after having read the book. They preferred the book much more.

Charles thinks Jeff does not resemble the character from the book. The characters are not nearly as complex as in the book. Where's Irma? We want Irma! Ms. Griffin is barely shown and her character is not developed at all. Mark's home life should have resembled that of the book more. This would make his motives more believable.

The final scene in the book is much more dramatic than in this movie version.

Students play a prank on a teacher that goes wrong

[marcus-27 · 7/10 · 23 December 1998]

Although I'm way past the high-school age, I still liked this movie. I do believe that people in high-school would give it a higher grade though.

The actors are alright, the story is alright, but the believable manipulation and "wanting to be part of the crowd" made this movie better than average.

I give it a 7.

The book was better!

[MovieLuva89 · 5/10 · 12 September 2001]

This was still an ok movie but the book was a lot better.I'm one of those who hate to read a book but in this case I suggest read the book. The movie was still good but when they say based on they mean just the main idea.They left out some pretty good scenes from the book out!They added people and left out others. The acting in this movie was great but the movie could have been better.

Quite an enjoyable ride but didn't expect much...

[SydneyAlias1306 · 6/10 · 6 August 2006]

Jack Bender (the director of this TV movie) is the reason why I watched this movie. I knew this movie was going to be a cheesy teen thriller without gore and violence that we see in any Hollywood films. I wasn't really expecting any of it because I never really cared much for who's performing in this or how the story would flow along because I knew most of stuff sucked in this movie. I'd rather to say that I did enjoy the film, I owed it big to Jack Bender who directed the film. I liked it because I loved how the film's pacing went with those some weird and crazy camera techniques which is done by Jack Bender. It was not director of photography who come up with those kind of techniques, it was the director because director of photography is only responsible taking shots of camera use that the director is intending for so all of that really owe big to Jack Bender. Plus I love relentless camera tracking movements, it's what kept me going, I like to get my head spinning from it. I watched the film because I love Jack Bender's direction and he did great job in Alias and Lost. For Alias...Phase One is the best episode, hands down. And for Lost...Live Together, Die Alone is his best directed episode.

For me, the book is much better, but the film version isn't too bad.

[IggyStooge · 4/10 · 15 July 2010]

I read the book a while back, (a few months ago), and I thought it was pretty fantastic the way author Lois Duncan created such vivid characters for a high school story.

As for this TV-film version, it was interesting to see what the characters might look like, but overall to me I didn't enjoy as well as the book of course. But I did enjoy it at least seeing it on film and how some things are different than the book.

To this day, its nothing really special, but I only watched it once, and its really nothing to watch a second time. Because as for a TV-film, you don't expect much.

No must-see, but fairly well made and worthwhile

[I_Ailurophile · 7/10 · 12 December 2022]

Bad teachers who care more about pushing students down than pushing them to reach higher; obnoxious teens with rich parents who are allowed to get away with anything; high school popularity, peer pressure, bad lies: what a recipe for disaster. With all these elements in mind, not least the setting and characters, I'm not sure if it's a credit to those involved or not that the foremost feeling to come out of this TV movie is one of discomfort. One part TV drama, one part teen drama (this would feel right at home on The CW), there's even a small tinge of film noir drawn in with the inclusion of the character of Susan. This isn't to say that anyone could ever confuse 'Killing Mr. Griffin' for anything else, but the genres and influences are there for the taking. It's noteworthy that this rather dark crime story follows hot on the heels of 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' for Amy Jo Johnson, and 'Saved by the bell' for Mario Lopez - what a change of flavor! - and came early in the career of an up and coming Michelle Williams. I don't know that this is entirely perfect or essential, but I think it's pretty well done, and still fairly worthwhile on its own merits.

Some awkwardness follows from the course of events, especially for those ways in which Susan is drawn into the conspiracy, and this comes across somewhat in the acting. I don't think this is any fault of the cast, however, but only the nature of the mild ham-handedness in that regard, and of the plot that revolves around teenagers. I'm inclined to think Johnson, Lopez, Scott Bairstow, and others handle their roles quite well, making them feel believably real - it's not hard to imagine how the acting might look if the stars were less capable than they are. I'm pleased with the screenwriters, too, who in adapting the source material do a fine job of balancing the desperate uncertainty and anxiety of the teen characters, and not least Susan's utmost crisis of conscience, with the severity of the crimes they have committed, and the outward malice of overconfident, smarmy Mark. The writing is quite strong in every regard, I think, with individual scenes coming off best and most compelling compared to the overall narrative, dialogue, or characterizations. Jack Bender also illustrates able skills as a director in bringing the sorry tale to life - 'Killing Mr. Griffin' does look and feel like a TV movie, yet thanks to Bender it seems to avoid the total gaucheness and directness of many similar titles.

Unless you're a major fan of someone involved, or of the book, this is perhaps not so outstanding or gripping as to make it a must-see. It's well-made in general, and some moments particularly stick out to me as boasting a minor spark of brilliance. Even at that, the feature lacks any major note of vibrancy that would truly help it to stand tall and stand the test of time; it's enjoyable, but less than wholly spellbinding. Still, the fact that I can't think of any more specific criticism speaks well to the contributions of all in putting this together. You don't need to go out of your way to see this, but if you happen to come across 'Killing Mr. Griffin,' I think it's a fairly solid film that even still is worth checking out if you have the opportunity.

it's a good film so see in a boring afternoon but nothing else.

[Against_The_Grain · 5/10 · 18 February 1999]

The character of Mr. Griffin is the best.I thing the worst character is Kinney´s girlfriend...it's the classical no-minded blonde cheerleader.Also Mario López acts well...but I specially liked the McConnell girl..she is so fragile but sweet. Also I think Mr.Griffin´s death is a little stupid...Including the supposed "premeditative murder" of Kinney..

That´s all i have to say. Bye

Too good to be true.

[Skippy-60 · 8/10 · 19 July 2000]

I must say that this was one of the finest made for TV movies I have ever seen. It was a part of the post Scream teen movie boom, but this one was actually good (unlike I've Been Waiting For You" and "Teaching Mrs. Tingle") The acting was surprisingly good by the cast of up and comers (it was great to see Michelle Williams pre Dawson's Creek) the script was intense and the direction made us feel we were part of the scheme. If you liked "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (both movies were based on the books by Lois Duncan) you'll get a kick out of this one too. It's not a slasher story, but a story about covering up secrets and how they can ruin your life. Amy Jo Johnson is terrific in the lead, and Scott Bairstow is creepy and sinister. This was a good movie. Too good to be a TV movie. It should have at least got a limited theatrical release!

HOW DECISIONS IN OUR LIFE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

[pik923 · 10/10 · 8 February 2004]

Looking at this film, I am reminded of my life in school, and teenage years when everything seems possible, and nothing could possibly harm us. Invincible, we would dare to do some ridiculous things, take risks that were on the edge of becoming potentially dangerous, maybe even lethal.

This television film tells of this thin line of what is right and wrong, doing on a dare, taking a risk, something goes horribly wrong and these youngsters will have to live with those decisions forever. Youth following the voice of the leader, the basketball star, the budding bigshot.

The young people in the film did a great job in their characters, it is a solid film, and seen through the eyes of one young woman, who is sucked into a world where she thinks it would be cool; oh how one decision can change our life forever.

I think it's more a film for those who survived adolescents, who survived high school and college and can look back and think - oh the mistakes I could have made, wow, some guardian angel must have been sitting on my shoulder.

Adequate, but read the book instead

[sjbradford · 8 January 2006]

Poor Lois Duncan. She's written many good-to-excellent thrillers aimed at the teen set, but their video adaptations almost never do them justice. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" was turned into a teen slasher flick; "Gallows Hill" was butchered into "I've Been Waiting for You", and "Don't Look Behind You" (one of Duncan's best, about a girl whose family enters Witness Relocation) was turned into a vehicle for "Dallas" has-been Patrick Duffy! Only "Summer of Fear", aka "Stranger in Our House", managed to survive intact (though you still have to put up with the dog/horse plot switch, as well as Linda Blair's scary perm).

The "Killing Mr. Griffin" movie, sad to say, is a middling effort, not at all worthy of the excellent source material. Most of the characters survive the transition to the screen, but are watered down and robbed of their distinctive traits. Mr. Griffin himself, a well-meaning guy who has trouble relating to kids in the book, is simply a jerk here. But worse is what happens to Mark Kinney. In the book, it is slowly and frighteningly revealed that Mark is actually a sociopath, whose history of violence and ability bend the group to his will is even more troubling than what happens to Mr. Griffin. But in the movie, Mark is just another troubled kid who is reacting to the pressure his parents have put on him to succeed. Too bad, because his original incarnation is much, much scarier.

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it, as well as the other books I've mentioned above. It would be a much better use of your time.

Great Lifetime Movie! :)

[SweetFunChk · 10/10 · 12 August 2002]

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** This is one of my favorite Lifetime movies! A lot of my favorite actors and actresses are in it. Some include Amy Jo Johnson, Mario Lopez, Michelle Williams, and Scott Bairstow. The only bad part about the movie is that its pretty predictable. Also, the end is unlogical. When the teens admit to killing Mr. Griffin, Amy's character (Susan McConnell) is allowed to go home. In real life, that would have never happened.

Cheesy High-School Thriller.

[famousgir1 · 13 November 2001]

Mr. Griffin is an English teacher at a high school. None of the students like him as he always seems mean and horrible, so to teach him a lesson some of the students from his English class, plan to kidnap him for a little while. When they end up leaving him for a couple of hours though, Mr. Griffin dies and now they have the police on there trail, to find out what really happened to him.

The cast in the movie includes, Amy Jo Johnson, Mario López and Michelle Williams (Who looks a little strange here.) and they give okay performances.

Killing Mr. Griffin is a lot like the Kevin Williamson movie Teaching Mrs. Tingle, which I actually liked more. (More exciting.) Killing Mr. Griffin came out first though and is based on the novel by Lois Duncan (I know what you did last summer films, etc.) and it's not to bad. It's not a proper thriller really, it's more like a cheesy thriller with not much suspense. If you like teen thrillers then you may just enjoy this. It sure isn't brilliant, but I guess it's quite good.

OH MY GOD!!!!

[nathan-71 · 10/10 · 2 June 2000]

This movie was the bomb!!! Michelle Williams is such a hottie, especially in that little geek cover-up. I want a woman just like that to tour with me in Southeast Asia.

Anyone have her number?

The *acting* was generally third-rate, though. Except for Jennifer Hammon, who is a thespian to be watched. A rising star, indeed.

"A stupid prank gone horribly wrong!

[simon-trek · 12 September 2004]

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS!!!

That is the basic story of this film from the author of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. A group of high school students are fed up with their mean English

teacher Mr Griffin. One example of how he's mean is that he refuses to let a

student enter the classroom just because he's "ten seconds late" Another

example is that he's gets annoyed with the way a female student is reading

line's from one of Shakespeare's plays, he gets fed up and tells her to sit down. When the student starts to cry Mr Griffin simply makes her more upset by saying that she isn't trying hard enough. In one scene Mr Griffon's wife ( says to him "You're hurting your students more than you realize." But Mr Griffin insists that he's only trying to teach his students something. Well he should have listened to his wife.

Well Mr Griffin's students decide to teach him a lesson. They plan to kidnap him and frighten him. So they kidnap, blindfold him and take him to a deserted location. However one of the students takes Mr Griffon's heart pills (that fell out of his pocket) and hides them without the other students noticing. The students then abandon him and come back later to find him dead. Now panic stricken the students bury him and try to cover up the fact. But of course nether Mr Griffin, nor the truth will stay buried for long and the students find themselves in a vortex of trouble and lies. Then the rest of students find out that one of them had hidden Mr Griffin's heart pills. That's when they decide to reveal the truth or at least one of them does.

Well I've certainly had trouble with some teachers in the past but I've never dreamt of kidnapping a teacher that I didn't like. At the end of this film we see one of the students confessing what really happened and is then allowed to go

home. But we never learn if the other students were punished or how they were punished. Well I believe the student who hid the pills should be charged with manslaughter and imprisoned, while the rest should be released on a good- behavior-bond.

dont even waste your time

[LorrSJ · 9 July 2003]

As bad as a movie can get.

the acting was truly terrible, and it didnt help that i saw this on dvd, and nearly every 15 minutes the screen faded in and out like the cheesy tv movie it was.

no suspense, no action, no real drama. i wasted over an hour of my life, for a movie that was classified as horror!

actually horror is a good word to describe this waste of time.