Wild in the Streets (1968)

It is a performances centric movie

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I was a kid when this movie was made, but I understand a lot of it. The plot is so out there it had me laughing all the time. What's great about it, is that through the shielding of a ridiculous storyline, the director was able to touch on some very important subjects, some of which are still relevant today. Drugs are drugs (including alcohol), and we're given more reminders of how stupid people can get when they're high. The movie glances on that frequent occurrence with the human race, MASS INSANITY. Many find it amazing that people like Hitler, or Stalin, or some currant day CRAZY LUNATICS, can gain such power in the government. Obviously, most parts of this movie were symbolic and would never hit reality. But, the masses (through fear) accepting leaders who are proved to be extreme in their behavior, people getting shot, or large groups with similar characteristics (the Japanese Americans in WW11) being forced into prison camps; that is the real world. The age factor in this movie is a beautiful metaphor on how society divides up people into classes; how they can consider some to be higher than others & some to be the untouchables. Many scenes are difficult & ugly to view. Through dark humor, we see some of the most disturbing realities of human existence. Fortunately, the plot is so "Wild in the Streets" & unbelievable, viewers get slap-in-the-face reminder of how loathsome & hideous we humans can be. This is a "CULT MOVIE" for one huge reason, the majority of people in this country (& maybe beyond) are too frightened to even face our undeniable shortcomings.

For its time this was a movie that made a huge impression on youth. I was about 11 when I saw it and have always remembered it and wanted to see it again. I'd tell everyone about it and no one seemed to have seen it. The song was equally as impressive and I always remember it as well. Made a huge impact on my outlook. Involved politics, teenage idealism, sex, drugs, rock & roll - everything you could want. It was all about youthful rebellion during a volatile time in our nation's history. Did not see it again until 36 years later. Yes, now it is definitely dated and campy, but the memories it brings back are very powerful and I want to see it one more time! Chris Jones rocked, too bad he never made it as big as he should have.

Naive political rabble-rouser from A.I.P. has sexy pop star Christopher Jones elected President of the United States after the voting age is lowered to 14. Screenwriter Robert Thom, working from his short story "The Day it All Happened, Baby", addresses heady issues but in a campy manner, skimping on anything too harrowing for the sake of the cartoonish handling. Thom also leaves out a major part of the story (the voting process) in favor of an 'ironic' sub-plot which parallels a chapter of World War II! The picture does look good and sound good, and it has fine acting from Jones, Shelley Winters as his mother, Diane Varsi, Millie Perkins and, in a bit, Richard Pryor. **1/2 from ****

This film could only have been made in 1968. No other time era produced such insanity. It's great fun and the ultimate American International Teen movie. I remember seeing this film four times when it came out in 1968. I also bought the book by Robert Thom (which was better and had a much better ending), the soundtrack album, the 45 record of "Shape Of Things To Come" with "Free Love" on the flip side and I even have a one sheet movie poster from the film. I guess I fell for this movie! The people here who dislike the film take it too seriously. It is a wild fantasy about teenagers taking over the United States and putting all adults in concentration camps! How can you take such a plot seriously? Dr Strangelove was more plausible but this film cuts with some great satire of it's own. A one of a kind film you won't forget!