Directed by:
John G. AvildsenScreenplay:
Michael SchifferCinematography:
Victor HammerComposer:
Bill ContiCast:
Morgan Freeman, Alan North, Lynne Thigpen, Robin Bartlett, Michael Beach, Ethan Phillips, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, Ivonne Coll, Karen Malina White (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Based on actual events, director John G. Avildsen's LEAN ON ME tells the story of Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman), a tough and radical disciplinarian hired to save the worst school in Paterson, New Jersey. Eastside High School is in trouble--the once exemplary school is now failing miserably. Graffitti lines the halls, gangs and drugs rule the school, and teachers and students live in perpetual fear. In one school year, Clark is challenged to turn the snake pit of a school into a halfway civilized place of learning, populated by decent students. To make sure his students pass a basic proficiency exam, Clark resorts to what some believe to be questionable methods--including wandering the halls threateningly with a baseball bat--to restore order to his school. Clark's extreme tactics also include firing teachers for talking back, forcing students to sing the school song on demand, and locking out students known to be drug dealers. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Morgan Freeman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/428/164428582_2cd665.jpg)
Morgan Freeman
USA
Best movies:
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Se7en (1995)
The Dark Knight (2008)
![Alan North](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/968/161968013_81993e.jpg)
Alan North
USA
Best movies:
Serpico (1973)
...And Justice for All (1979)
Glory (1989)
Lynne Thigpen
USA
Best movies:
Running on Empty (1988)
Tootsie (1982)
The Insider (1999)
![Robin Bartlett](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/188/158188397_3ef80a.jpg)
Robin Bartlett
USA
Best movies:
Shutter Island (2010)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Sophie's Choice (1982)
![Michael Beach](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/500/159500059_c311ca.jpg)
Michael Beach
USA
Best movies:
The Abyss (1989)
True Romance (1993)
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996) (TV movie)
![Ethan Phillips](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269097_72954f.jpg)
Ethan Phillips
USA
Best movies:
Star Trek VIII: First Contact (1996)
Have Dreams, Will Travel (2007)
Glory (1989)
Sandra Reaves-Phillips
USA
Best movies:
'Round Midnight (1986)
Lean on Me (1989)
For Love or Money (1993)
![Ivonne Coll](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/869/161869662_01ba8b.jpg)
Ivonne Coll
Puerto Rico
Best movies:
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Lean on Me (1989)
![Karen Malina White](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/307/158307272_63b327.jpg)
Karen Malina White
USA
Best movies:
Lean on Me (1989)
![Regina Taylor](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/600/168600607_8owqvr.jpg)
Regina Taylor
USA
Best movies:
The Negotiator (1998)
Lean on Me (1989)
Clockers (1995)
![Tony Todd](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/017/168017335_7lwfpa.jpg)
Tony Todd
USA
Best movies:
Platoon (1986)
The Rock (1996)
The Man from Earth (2007)
![Mike Starr](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/402/402346_442c29.jpg)
Mike Starr
USA
Best movies:
Goodfellas (1990)
Ed Wood (1994)
The Natural (1984)
![Delilah Cotto](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/275/275038_7acf32.jpg)
Delilah Cotto
USA
Best movies:
Lean on Me (1989)
Stories of Lost Souls (2006)
Empire (2002)
![Michael Imperioli](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/167/022/167022617_431c43.jpg)
Michael Imperioli
USA
Best movies:
Goodfellas (1990)
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Trees Lounge (1996)
Bruce Malmuth
USA
Best movies:
The Man Who Wasn't There (1983)
Lean on Me (1989)
Happy New Year (1987)
![Robert Guillaume](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276325_9e56b6.jpg)
Robert Guillaume
USA
Best movies:
The Lion King (1994)
Big Fish (2003)
North and South (1985) (series)
![Ahmed Best](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279740_724238.jpg)
Ahmed Best
USA
Best movies:
![Beverly Todd](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/416/416790_ac5a6a.jpg)
Beverly Todd
USA
Best movies:
Crash (2004)
Roots (1977) (series)
The Bucket List (2007)
Monique Dupree
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
The Replacements (2000)
Lean on Me (1989)
![Michael P. Moran](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/490/161490835_caed4b.jpg)
Michael P. Moran
Best movies:
Scarface (1983)
Carlito's Way (1993)
Sleepers (1996)