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My Bodyguard

  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
My Bodyguard (1980)
Trailer for this 80s film
Play trailer2:11
1 Video
59 Photos
ComedyDramaFamily

When Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard... Read allWhen Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard.When Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard.

  • Director
    • Tony Bill
  • Writer
    • Alan Ormsby
  • Stars
    • Chris Makepeace
    • Adam Baldwin
    • Matt Dillon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tony Bill
    • Writer
      • Alan Ormsby
    • Stars
      • Chris Makepeace
      • Adam Baldwin
      • Matt Dillon
    • 92User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    My Bodyguard
    Trailer 2:11
    My Bodyguard

    Photos59

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    Top cast47

    Edit
    Chris Makepeace
    Chris Makepeace
    • Clifford
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Linderman
    Matt Dillon
    Matt Dillon
    • Moody
    Paul Quandt
    Paul Quandt
    • Carson
    Hank Salas
    Hank Salas
    • Mike
    Joan Cusack
    Joan Cusack
    • Shelley
    Dean R. Miller
    • Hightower
    Tim Reyna
    • Koontz
    Richard Bradley
    Richard Bradley
    • Dubrow
    Denise Baske
    • Leilani
    Vicky Nelson
    • Freddy
    Tom Rielly
    Tom Rielly
    • Reissman
    Paul Charbonneau
    • Allen
    Laura Salenger
    • Girl
    Bert Hoddinott
    • Burt
    Cindy Russ
    • Cheerleader #1
    Laurie McEathron
    • Cheerleader #2
    Lori Mandell
    • Crying Girl
    • Director
      • Tony Bill
    • Writer
      • Alan Ormsby
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews92

    7.111.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8halpinsouth-1

    A timeless, compelling and thoughtful movie about facing odds.

    This movie rings true on so many different levels. I find this a real gem because no matter how many times I watch it I find it compelling and refreshingly straightforward. Chris Makepeace is cast perfectly as a reluctant victim of extortion by Matt Dillon's high school band of thugs. Adam Baldwin relays a sense of pain, anguish, and grief that you can nearly touch. What can you say about Matt Dillon (Moody)? Anyone who has ever been bullied will squirm in their seat after watching him for just ten minutes. This is one of those special movies that will appeal to so many different people. Haven't we all been to high school? been bullied at some point? got caught up in ridiculous rumor and innuendo? if so, then definitely take time to watch this timeless classic.
    8teachbike

    Positive, enjoyable film

    I recently saw this movie again and I was surprised at how well it holds up. The story isn't dated, the situations are universal and current and the acting is fine. The plots are believable, interesting and satisfying. For a sleeper of a film in 1980, it stands out as 1 of the better teen genre pieces that flooded the theaters in the 80's. The ending is a bit sappy, but it still doesn't detract from a very sweet story with characters you can actually cheer for (except, of course for Moody and Mike, but it was fun booing them as well).
    7MissRosa

    a low-budget charmer

    This is a film I'd heard of for years and finally had a chance to view it. It is a low-key, low-budget and witty film about high school survival -- but it is far from being the usual teen film. It takes place in a decidedly urban and challenging setting, and its adult characters are as quirky as its teenaged ones.

    The characters are well-drawn, the acting is good, and although the plot is insignificant, with a weak conclusion, this film manages to be realistic, present interesting characters (particularly Adam Baldwin's) and make you laugh. In other words, the quality of the writing makes it come to life.

    It's one of the last of a series of excellent low-key, naturalistic films of the 70's, that specialize in fascinating characterizations.
    jimbo429

    Outstanding teen movie

    When My Bodyguard was released in the summer of 1980, the teen movie genre was in its infancy. We would soon be assaulted with countless flicks about horny teens and their libidos. This film stands above that pack. Anyone attending high school during this period (as I was) will feel for Clifford Peache. An outstanding teen movie, it launched the careers of Joan Cusack, Adam Baldwin, and in a tiny and unfortunately uncredited role, Jennifer Beals. The adults also shine in their roles (especially Ruth Gordon, in one of her last screen appearances). The story holds up and is believable. The one small complaint I have is the film somehow feels like one of those ABC Afterschool Specials. Anyway, if you want to see a teen movie before the genre imploded with vulgarity, rent My Bodyguard. You won't be disappointed.
    cineaste1939

    True to adolescent life with a tour de force performance by Baldwin

    Anyone who has ever been subjected to the ethos of "might makes right" will appreciate the raw truth of this film. The opportunity to trump the bullies with their own "high card" is one that uncounted thousands of decent, peaceable kids fantasize about. The amazing and regrettable thing is that this breathtaking debut performance by Adam Baldwin was not capitalized on by producers or directors. Instead Baldwin was relegated to roles like the sadistic British officer in "The Patriot" which takes advantage of his imposing physical presence but gives him no opportunity to display his unexpected, attractive and profound humanity. Perhaps someday a wise filmmaker will recognize Baldwin's potential and make the most of his abilities.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Feature film debut of Adam Baldwin, Joan Cusack, Jennifer Beals (uncredited), Dean Devlin and Paul Quandt.
    • Goofs
      In the lunch counter scene, Shelley is shown buying an RC soda, and carrying it to the table. A following cut shows her drinking from a Diet Rite can.
    • Quotes

      Clifford Peache: It's because of your brother, isn't it? You can't fight because of what happened to your brother. That's it, isn't it?

      Ricky Linderman: What do you know?

      Clifford Peache: A lot of excuses is what I know.

      Ricky Linderman: Shut up!

      Clifford Peache: You don't talk to anybody for more than a year. You walk around like a damn ape for nothing.

      Ricky Linderman: Shut up, Clifford!

      Clifford Peache: You build a bike for no reason, to go nowhere. And then you let some jerk throw it into the lake.

      Ricky Linderman: Shut up!

      Clifford Peache: All because of something you had nothing to do with. I mean, anybody could have found your brother. It just happened to be you!

      Ricky Linderman: [shoving Clifford against a fence] Shut up. Shut up, I didn't find him! I KILLED him! I shot him!

      Clifford Peache: Jesus...

      Ricky Linderman: We were home alone. We were playing with my dad's gun. I was showing off. Showing off, you know, like a goddamn fool! He said "Let me hold it," and I said "No. No, you're not allowed to," and he got mad and he grabbed it... and it fired. God, I was laughing. I was laughing when it went off. Blood gushed out of the side of his head and he didn't even know it. You know what he was worried about? He was afraid when dad got home, he'd get spanked. The last thing he said to me, he said "you're going to have to take the blame for this one." I couldn't even do that right. I lied. I put the gun in his hand and I said I found him that way. Never told anyone before.

      Clifford Peache: It wasn't your fault. You didn't mean for it to happen.

      Ricky Linderman: I'm sorry, Clfford. I know you mean well. I let everyone down. That's just the way I am.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Serenade for Strings in G Major, K. 525 (Eine kleine Nachtmusik)
      (uncredited)

      Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Played by the kids in the music class in the gym

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    FAQ21

    • How long is My Bodyguard?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the name of the classical music playing at the beginning? I tried shazaming it but no luck. Dave Grusin was in charge of music on this film.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 26, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Schulhofratten von Chicago
    • Filming locations
      • Lake View High School - 4015 N. Ashland Avenue, Lake View, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Market Street Productions
      • Melvin Simon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,482,952
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $178,641
      • Jul 13, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,482,952
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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