The way Bender's voice breaks when he says "Are you threatening me?" breaks my heart. You can hear in his voice, he's still a scared kid who is afraid his principal is gonna beat the shit out of him, like his father
@odeerg So you say that Bender would be in more trouble than Principal Vernon would?They both have quite a disadvantage.Either one or both would be in serious trouble if they lay a hand on each other.Does that sound reasonable?
I would never mess with any tough principal in any school at all.Now,a student can cuss out a teacher and possibly get detention,while the other can bait ,set up and threaten to kick the mess out of said student as well as call him a gutless turd?Now,hypothetically, if Bender hit Vernon after being baited like that,he'd be possibly in detention,does the principal have the right to hit him back?The other way,if Vernon followed with his threat and hit kicked the crap out of him,Would he be fired?
I'm not so sure of that...In my opinion,yes Bender was in the wrong place,the gymnasium,and true,he did aggravate Principal Vernon,and definitely,he made his day a living hell,I get it,but he didn't deserve to be rushed to get his stuff,being called a gutless turd,baited,or Vernon putting his hand on him to force him to go.A false alarm?Now,that's wrong.Liked when Bender said,hey ,keep your effin hands off me,I expect better manners from you ,Dick,and shoved books off the counter.To be honest ,the principal doesn't need Bender to make him look bad,no,he can do a great job himself,a teacher for 22 years,would be a shame for him,let alone any other educator to throw away a career like that over a troubled teen,5 teens.
Wow,that Principal Vernon sure was extremely tough in "The Breakfast Club".I like when they have the original profanities said in the movies more than when they're subbed with something different , former is funnier than the latter.Actually,i know why,it's because of the R rating and folks under 17,be it at the movies or home,shouldn't watch it.Both Bender and Vernon were in a dilemma.If Bender hit Vernon after being baited and set up,he'd most likely be suspended where as if Vernon's punch connected ,no doubt,he'd likely be FIRED,do you agree or disagree with that?
❤️🌌🗺🌎🌍🌏 Yeah In A Way But He’s Father’s A Much Worse Person & We Don’t Even Get A Glimpse Of The Guy (Th@‘s Always Kind Of Annoyed Me I Definitely Would’ve Liked 2 Have Seen @ Least What He Looked Like My Image Is A Rough Lookin Kevin Cosner) But Yeah U Definitely Make A Point He’s Comparing Vernon 2 His Dad BC Of When There In That Storage Closet Bender Kinda Backs Up His Head & Doesn’t Sock Him
This scene shows just how vulnerable John Bender really is. He hears much of the same words his father & mother use towards him every day from Vernon. While John may have accepted Vernon's challenge to hit him in front of other students, he shows not that he is "a gutless turd" but a frightened young man whose life was full of abuse--both physical & mental. After Vernon leaves him locked in that closet, John almost allows himself to cry.
@@stg4498 @odeerg You're both delusional. You think that's appropriate behavior? For a principal? You both gotta be ignorant as hell. You both realize that if the police found out what Vernon did, he would lose his job and go to jail, right?
@@mrtwister9002 and if Vernon didn’t do this, in 6 months Bender would be in jail. Sometimes people need to be challenged -especially those with discipline problems.
I can just imagine Vernon going home after this: Vernon's wife: Oh hey honey, how was your day today. Vernon: Oh nothing new just locking an abused teenager in a storeroom and making him feel really shitty and scared. Vernon's Wife: Oh, okay
Did Bender actually leave his sneaker in the gym and go home with one boot or is it staged?I love movies more when all the language is in than when it's subbed for an alternate word because it's funnier in the movies or on the IFC Channel.
Bender all curled up in a storage closet with that frozen look of fear makes me imagine him as a little boy having to deal with that abuse at home. Detention and school are his only safe haven. And of course, Vernon doesn’t make it any better.
@odeerg teachers have a responsibility to kids, and abused kids are no different. Vernon was being an egotistical prick here, as was bender before they were one on one.. Vernon is not a bad guy, he is an authority figure...any authority figure bender is going to see as the enemy, i.e father, principle, later in life police and bosses . It sucks and this scene here is fucking amazing ..it works on so many levels to show what vernon has dealt with to be an educator and what type of home life some kids come from
I'm glad that it seems like some people understood the true meaning of this scene. Bender tries to act tough, but it's just that, an act. When you look at him in this scene, it's clear that he exhibits a lot of behavior from somebody that's been abused.
He was setting him up to hit him,baiting him,taunting him.That was crazy.How do you know Bender would have punched Vernon?It would probably make the principal even more upset than possible to retaliate.
degree7 I actually think Vernon would hurt Bender and held back because a Faculty member especially a Principal or Teacher hitting a student is against the law. Vernon could lose his 31k a year job as Principal ( this was back in 1984 so today it workdays be like 61k a year). I think Bender was frightened of Vernon. Vernon seemed like a tough no nonsense Principal who could fight dirty if he had to. Many Principals are tough because they deal with the bad kids.
@@davisdavisdavis no I agree with kevin he would've. Benders attitude is just a coping mechanism he wants to make others afraid of him to hide the fact that hes actually a vulnerable guy. That's why he actually looked scared of the principal...
@@jessicacaleno1998 that may be true, but bender came from a violent family with no repercussions, so when an authoritive figure like vernon finally got on, bender was caught off guard because he never expected it. but in the end, what wouldve stopped bender from killing vernon?
Bender's body language in the closet is really telling, they way he kinda curls into himself and hugs his leg. He's probably self consciously doing it to self protect and self comfort himself while he's vulnerable and scared
That line always shakes me, “you think anyone is gonna believe you?” It proves that the principle understands what all those “bad” kids are going through and takes advantage of them instead of help them.
we don't know what vernon's childhood was like...probably he wad bullied at school or maybe he went through rough times, then he just decided not to deal with all this crap no more...
Vernon isnt a bad principal you can tell by how he walks away from that scene. He just broke after all the shit he put him through. It was a man to another man not an education
@@brettt141 I get he was pushed to his limit, but he still threatened a student and that has to be terrifying for Brenner because Vernon’s absolutely right. Nobody will believe him when he said my principal abused me 😕 I could just see the fear in his eyes
He wanted been there to hit him so he could hit him back and say itself defense, and he would conveniently leave out the fact that he was up in benders face trying to get him the fight, he would just say I brought him in that room because he left the class and then he attacked me, and like Vernon said who would they believe of course they would believe Vernon over Bender.
The cocky, hard act is just that: an act. He’s really just scared, of his father, of Vernon, and anyone that threatens him. This movie is so deep. Bender is such a well written character!!
The “go see John Bender in 5 years” line is one of the best comebacks/insults in the whole movie. But then you remember that a principal is saying it to a troubled kid and it’s just freakin sad.
The most incredible thing about this scene is that he makes $31k per year AND owns a home. It’s not like we’re talking about the WWII generation here. This was the 1980’s.
Bender was an obnoxious, disrespectful punk but he was also a victim of an abusive father. His character irritated the fuck outta me (especially with his disrespect towards Brian and Claire) but after that scene where he imitated his dad, I actually had sympathy for him. He was simply a product of his environment. There's a "Bender" in every school smh..
Sean Norfleet- TRUE, but that doesn’t make Vernon’s actions okay. He had a right to get ANGRY and discipline, but you legally can’t hurt or threaten a student.
"Impossible sir. It's in Johnson's underwear." That line slayed me the first time I heard it and continues to do so over 30 years later. And the look on his face is priceless!
Vernon may have been right that no one is going to take the word of Bender over him. But he's wrong about one thing. People don't love him in that school and he's not respected. That's the exact reason he's so pissed off. The kids are apathetic and jaded and don't seem to care about anything and that's what makes him not want to come to school in the morning. He thinks that if these kids don't care, then why should he?
He wants to care, but he can’t help himself because he used to be like the kids, however he grew up and is forcing the kids to do the same but it’s just something you shouldn’t do. Especially if it’s intimidating your own students who clearly live in an abusive household.
@odeerg Yes Bender was wrong, even if he did have a troubled household that doesen't give you the permission to mistreat all the teachers and the students. That is not the way to behave, he should have called for help instead of bullyng others.
I dont think a lot of people understood the meaning of the punch. If Bender did punch Vernom it would have caught him a case and get him out of school. If Bender DIDNT punch Verom it shows that he is a clown that hide behind the cool tough guy front. Overall though it shows that Vernom has the real power and the kids cant do anything about it. "What are you gonna do about it? You think anyone gonna choose your words over mine? Im a man of respect around here. They love me."
Also, I think is important to mention that is Bender got into any real trouble in school, like violence type trouble, his own father would be on his ass like white on rice. And that's something that Bender doesn't want. In the matter of Vernon, I think he was projecting when he ranted about how he's respected in the school. I believe that's because he knows that the kids of this generation don't have much respect for authority figures.
The truth is that no one loves Vernon, he’s just full of himself because he’s a principal and his words are law. He just really fucking hates bender because he challenges his world view on how he’s on top and everyone must submit just like the kids abusive parents.
@@masterzombie161 most of the kids certainly don't love Vernon, but I think Vernon was referring to the other faculty at the school, the teachers, the superintendent loving him and seeing him as a man of respect. And he sees that all them won't believe Bender complaining about him threatening him. If he didn't, he wouldn't have threatened him. Vernon knew Bender would go to the authorities about his threat, that's just a natural reaction. Vernon was just sure that he was too respected by the district and that Bender had too much of a troublemaking record for his complaint to do any good.
I'm a teacher and totally sympathise with why Vernon does this, but he's still wrong. Ultimately, he's an adult and he's talking to a child. He should be able to rise above Bender's behaviour. I've had punks like Bender push me to the limit, and behave way worse than Bender - and I can assure you I've felt like doing this. I've been threatened, had punches thrown at me, called every name under the sun - but I've still never resorted to threatening a kid when no one is listening. The amusing thing is though, when kids like Bender have left school and see you in the street, they're the ones who run up to you all excited wanting to talk to you. Kids like Brian totally blank you.
The most important thing as a teacher is to understand why people act like that. Bender has a problem with authority because at home he doesn't have any control about what happens in school he does. It's the only logical thing for him to bully and to disrespect people like Venom. If a teacher is unable to see that und to react in a professional way he shouldn't be a teacher.
You're telling the truth! My friend Beth just wrote on Facebook that while at the supermarket, she came across one of her 8th graders from 2007. All grown up. She said this kid tested her patience every day. Took her to her limit often. And guess what? He said she was his favorite teacher. He was there with his wife. The miraculous thing was the wife said he had an accident where he lost part of his memory and he remembered my friend Beth. She was amazed how great he turned out to be.
@@bigdaddy2343 Twenty years ago, I remember getting into so much trouble in 3rd grade, and being disciplined by my teacher. To this day, I still remember my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Brady!
Kids who have been properly socialized and nurtured, and that are also academically gifted on top of that, don't need you. It's the kids like Bender that do. I was like that and at the core of the "bad student" facade was just me projecting onto teachers the parental role that was missing in my life.
BenKNOWSit ! Let me tell you something. Look at him. He’s a bum. You wanna see something funny? You go visit John Bender in 5 years, you’ll see how goddamned funny he is
@@stevenc400 Question is where exactly would Bender be in 5 years? Struggling to pay bills in his little studio apartment while working at some fast food place? Conning or bumming money off people, buying drugs and having become a total junkie, maybe even on probation? Maybe having committed more serious crimes and serving time? I wonder which one of those things Vernon was thinking Bender would be closer to when saying "Look at Bender in 5 years, and then see how goddamn funny he is".
To everyone in the comment section who went through serious stuff growing up, I want you to know you're worth more than you realize and there's people who care about you. Life isn't easy but there's good experiences and opportunities you're more than welcome to. Feel free and know you have people who have your back. Alright?
People have already pointed out in the comments of Bender’s expression of fear and vulnerability, but I also think there’s another aspect to it. Vernon is supposed to be a good example of a leader, someone children should look up to for help in a sense, but instead, like many people in real life, they abuse their power for their own ego, and in this case, I think Bender is also thrown off and even confused at how far Vernon is going because he’s suppose to help kids, not talk down on them, and it’s a scary thought as a teenager to know these are the people that run the world.
This scene and the other scene where they are all talking about their lives and why they are in detention always gets to me in this scene you can see that Bender is actually scared and shocked because of how much Vernon reminds him of his abusive father that's why he doesn't swing and Vernon doesn't even see it he just thinks Bender is a bad person but he's really just a battered and abused young man and when Vernon says no one will believe him you can tell that really hurt Bender because he probably told his dad he would tell on him for abusing him and the dad probably said the same thing Vernon makes Bender feel as worthless and shitty here in this scene as much as he feels that way at home
The fact he couldn't look Vernon in the eye at first says so damn much as well. Coming from personal experience trauma from abuse whether that be mentally or physically, whenever somebody yells at me or talks down on me, I can't look them in the eye out of fear. This scene really hit close to home
I think schools need to start taking into consideration students’ home lives when it comes to disciplining misbehaving or rebellious students because you never know if that is linked to their behavior. Punishing them harshly is only going to make them more likely to be more bad due to decreased self-esteem, anger, and bitterness. They need to get appropriate help instead.
2:37 right here is when Bender started hearing his father here. 😢😢😢😢. When he “are you threatening me” really hurt my heart. I can’t imagine what rough childhood he went through.
Being a whole adult watching this now is so disturbing considering there's actual authority figures in the school system that do this shit to kids. You can tell bender gets this done to him at home from his father. He is a horrible human being and administrator. 😢 I feel so bad for Bender and this is why I want to be a teacher. And he really thought he was doing something 30k a year even then was pathetic for an administrator 🤣🤣🤣
I'm a teacher and I can tell you from experience...the John Bender's of the classroom end up being the kids who run up to you when you see them out in a store. I had one student that I tried to reach all year and I thought he hated my guts, but at the end of the year...he wrote me a letter saying, "This was the best school year that he ever had. He said, I was his favorite teacher." It's truly simple when teaching: Don't take disrespect personally. Hurt people...hurt people. If you keep your cool and show them that you truly care about them...they will move mountains for you. The John Bender's of the world are really amazing kids once you break through their rough exterior.
No, it was reasonable upper middle class at the time. There was no connotation that he just revealed himself as poor; he fit the expected for the time & place
I know this scene is serious and what not, but Bender had me laughing my ass off when he pushed things off the counter at 2:08 just to piss off Vernon lol
Remember this is a 1985 movie, things were completely different back then from now. In 1985, a lot of countries didn't have laws to protect children for abusive situations such as this one. Now, thank the gods, in most countries there is. It just shows how far we've come from that time period.
This scene is very well directed from Judd Nelson's acting to the music. Even though Bender is an asshole he is clearly frightened under his skin when Vernon scolds and threatens him in the closet. This is because Vernon bullying Bender is giving us the impression on what life is like for Bender at home. And the music which is eerie again shows how much abuse he gets from his dad.
2:22 I can believe $31k in Jan 1985 is worth $78k in May 2021... minimum wage then was $3.35. Average home cost $82k, average new car was $12k. Mortgage could've been $350 per month, $200 for a car payment, 87 cents gallon of gas. Not too shabby for a HS principal
1:52 The literal one second that the camera cuts to Alison is a testament to what it means to master, "Show, don't tell" in cinematographic philosophy. John Hughes, you were too good for what we now know of Hollywood today, sir.
If Vernon was sick of his job that much,he should've just demoted himself to doing something different. But threatening children is just low man. Let society teach him a lesson that way,you as a principal still have to maintain professionalism and humanity
When I was in school teachers used to slap kids around and nobody ever went home crying to their parents or committed suicide...This generation today needs to grow a pair cajones, not have safe spaces !!
Danny N. Oh shut up. You sound like every other gen X who trashes the younger generation, yet they were just as shitty if not worse. If a teacher hit a kid today, they'd be shot. Either by the kid, or the kids family. If you cant handle kids, dont take up a career that revolves around children. You just want a reason to hit someone elses kid because you probably get off on touching underage adolescents.
You know while Vernon might have a point that nobody will believe Bender's word over his, shouldn't it at least be/have been said that they might listen to reason from Andrew, Claire, Brian's and Allison, I mean the reason why unlike Bender they can't stand up to his level because he's the principal of the school and they have to listen to what he says, it's clear from this scene that they can see how Vernon treats Bender really.
I have to say that it was very low for Vernon to use Benders image and his life as a person against the others; Andrew mostly in this scene to try and get them to listen to reason, and if he even knows what Benders father does to him and yet still says that then he's really just as bad
He would've shit all over it just like he shit all over the other kids in detention and the janitor for literally no reason, he doesn't care. I've known plenty of kids like Bender, many of which were asshole bullies, they don't care about anything.
Vernon is way smarter than Bender, which is why he dared Bender to hit him. Vernon knows so much about life that Bender does not. As cool as Bender thinks he is, in reality, he is a scared little boy.
@@Shinobi10598 Why didn't Bender hit Vernon? I think he was scared of Vernon in that moment, as his behaviour mirrors that of his abusive father at home. He was probably afraid of Vernon in that moment for a lot of reasons - as I just said, Vernon was acting a lot like his father in that moment and if he did hit him, no one would believe him if he told them that Vernon pressured him into it. As Vernon said, he was respected by people (mainly teachers... he wouldn't have gotten his job position if he wasn't). Why didn't Vernon hit Bender? He was simply taunting and testing him. Would the rude, loud boy be as courageous without his audience? No. Vernon simply cornered him, intimidated him and threatened him to get the message across that he was in charge and the one to be feared, not Bender.
The world needs more Vernons. Back then there were no safe spaces or snowflakes. I knew as a young man that some teachers were only a few eye witnesses of tanning my hide if I acted up, so as a result, I stayed on the straight & narrow. Poor Bender my foot…
I feel bad for Bender. But I went to school with guys like him (or worse) and I can see why a principle would want to beat the crap out of them. He makes his life hell.
When he started bitchin’ about how Bender was a bum and everything, I literally screamed at the T.V; “No, he’s not, you fuckwit!!!” The first time I saw it, lol.
@@YM-ow1jx nobody ever deserves that treatment especially a minor, it doesn’t matter how disrespectful or disobedient they are you don’t ever threaten to beat a minor especially if you work in a field that is meant to guide and help kids
Seriously though the fact that he threatened this kid knowing full well how his parents are shows how little compassion he has for his other students. He knows why they are in detention but fails to grasp that it’s the parents fault for how they’ve been raising them. He blames the kids for turning on him, but the truth is that he gave up on them a long time ago and relishes on belittling them and feeling powerful when punishing them like their own parents.
I think the ONLY reason bender didn't take that hit on vernon was intimidation. I have always thought in that moment bender was the abused little boy again and projecting his father onto vernon. Vernon knew it too...he had to know when your dealing with a teenager as angry and aggressive as bender there's abuse in the home, definitely physical. Vernon knew bender could kick his ass in a fair fight but there was no way bender could fight an authority figure with all the shit going on in his head..vernon was able to bait him knowing it would never go past words and walk out being the hard ass...with bender looking like a pussy. I understand why vernon is so fed up with bender but that was all about vernon's ego and vernon knows it and bender knows it...despite everything bender is no idiot.
@Mike Fletcher The thing is I had no Idea that today (or ever) that the vice principalship was such a high paying job and today its around 110-120k, so its even higher than in the 80s so I guess that does answer my question: The vice president in this movie does have a prestigious job and a high salary
Director John Hughes was going to fire Judd Nelson who stayed in character during filming to the point of bullying other actors. Paul Gleason (Vernon) defended Nelson as a good actor who was trying to stay in character and talked Hughes out of firing him.
$31000($90,000 today), Vernon was making big bank at this school, makes sense since he's the head of the school. You could own a house, 2-3 cars, little to no debt. Vernon was really living life with this income back in 1985. Deep down inside Bender secretly likes and respects Vernon, and is trying to put up this tough guy act to hide his inner demons and how his father treated him at home.
Vernon gets too much hate. I like how the movie makes him more than a cliched abusive principal and makes him genuinely care for these kids. Bender wanted to be a "tough guy" and disrespect authority, Vernon showed him what a tough guy is and disrespecting authority would be like outside a school setting. Does that make his mistreatment of Bender right? Probably not, especially considering the abuse he recieved from his father causing his behavior. But this film is about rejecting who you are for who you wanna be.
This scene is heartbreaking because Vernon could have truly become a father figure for Bender that he desperately wanted and needed, but Vernon took it personal and ignored his responsibility of being a principal, which is to protect all kids. Sure...Bender was a jerk to him, but as the adult and the leader...he should have tried to help him.
@@KenMasters. What I am saying..is it could have a been a great character arc for Vernon to do something to show he changed just as the kids in the Breakfast Club changed their attitudes. We see a hint of this change when Vernon reads the letter at the end, but will never know if he changed. It could have been a powerful moment for his character, but John Hughes is the writer so it's his story..
@@rocketeightyseven1823 Actually I never thought of it that way. But I'll tell you what Vernon could've been: You know Hughes' next movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off? That's was originally planned as a sequel "The Lunch Club", it didn't happen because John Hughes fired Judd Nelson for unnecessarily staying in character (He could've at least replace him with the original casting choice Nicolas Cage as John Bender). Anyway, what happened to Vice-Principal Richard "Dick" Vernon? That Principal Edward "Ed" R. Rooney antagonist, could've been Vernon instead! The 5 kids play hooky this time and paint the town red, while Vernon (who didn't change at all) also plays hooky to go on a hunt for all 5 throughout their homes, especially Bender! Where have the kids gone to? · Brian Johnson took his friends to the Sears Tower sky-deck with all those mercantile exchangers. · Andrew Clark took them to an MLB game to watch the Chicago Cubs VS the Montreal Expos. · John Bender took them to a 21-and-up bar full of naked chicks, and lied about their ages. (That part kind of made it into Weird Science.) · Clara Standish took them to the Chez Quis fancy restaurant, and little does she know that her parents have VIP memberships there. · Allison Reynolds takes them to the Chicago Art Institute to do that iconic montage scene.
@@KenMasters. That makes total sense! I loved Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but it would have been amazing as a sequel to the Breakfast Club. Rooney was Vernon! Makes sense!
I always thought it way kind of funny and ironic when after Vernon calls Bender " a gutless turd" the next scene you see Vernon going into the bathroom to take one😂
Back then, when there were no smartphones, principals and teachers can get away with saying and doing things. Just because the student is a bully, and an angry embattled trouble maker, doesn't mean adults need to bully back.
Watching this film now in such a long time and viewing this scenes from the perspective of my childself to now an adult, I can understand both sides. The principal just wanted respect given his position as the highest administrator of the school, and all Bender wanted was just to be acknowledged as somebody. It seems that Bender took his act of rebellion out on the principal, who possibly reminded him of his authoritative and abusive father, as a way to cope from being abused, while it seems the principle took his anger out on Bender due to his envy of Bender's carefree life with little responsibilities. the life Dick dreamed of having when he became a principle.
As a kid, I hated Vernon. HE was a jerk. Now as an adult and as a librarian dealing with difficult kids sometimes, I understand this guy's frustration. Lol
1:17 Was thinking about the movie and this scene popped in my head and got me thinking, he was trying to think up something that John would care about he said home and family before deciding to go with his dope, that kinda sounds like he knows what's going on in John's family and if he does he's done nothing about it and makes the next scene where he threatens John even worse.
@Joey Style he does at 1:15. He was gonna say: what if your home... What if your family... And stopped abruptly after family because he knew well what benders family/father was like and that he wouldn't give a shit if his family (father) burned down... I mean he said dope instead of family he couldn't not know...
@@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti1663 people have different ways of coping i guess. A lot of kids act up because there are things going on at home (like abuse) and they feel like they've never had control in their life. So they act up in school just to feel like they have control over someone with authority, or at least to feel like someone is listening to what theyre saying, even if it's bs. They want to build up this image to seem untouchable and rebellious, perhaps hurting other people along the way, because then they can avoid becoming vulnerable. Like maybe people will stay away if you make yourself seem like an asshole. Also, bender seems to have a bunch of pent up anger towards the world that he releases by talking back and insulting others. (idk, but this is just my interpretation of this behaviour)
If you notice when Bender is distracting Vernon he sings cadences which hints that his dad may be former special forces enlisted. In other words, not only is his dad abusive, he's also a trained killer. Bender would have had it ingrained by now that trying to fight back physically would be useless which is why Vernon shook him so badly. He probably had once tried fighting back with his dad and it ended very badly.
I love the way this movie will go from funny and light to really heavy and sad. It's very powerful.
wheelmanstan, exactly. For me, this is one of the more powerful scenes in the movie. The movie itself is one of my all-time favorites.
wheelmanstan also the group therapy scene
wheelmanstan Great actors great story and most importantly John Hughes.
Well done, John Hughes balanced it out very well. Great directing.
So true
The way Bender's voice breaks when he says "Are you threatening me?" breaks my heart. You can hear in his voice, he's still a scared kid who is afraid his principal is gonna beat the shit out of him, like his father
@@stg4498 he THINKS
@odeerg So you say that Bender would be in more trouble than Principal Vernon would?They both have quite a disadvantage.Either one or both would be in serious trouble if they lay a hand on each other.Does that sound reasonable?
I would never mess with any tough principal in any school at all.Now,a student can cuss out a teacher and possibly get detention,while the other can bait ,set up and threaten to kick the mess out of said student as well as call him a gutless turd?Now,hypothetically, if Bender hit Vernon after being baited like that,he'd be possibly in detention,does the principal have the right to hit him back?The other way,if Vernon followed with his threat and hit kicked the crap out of him,Would he be fired?
@odeerg lool don’t be a teacher or principal if a kid breaks u to point where u say hurtful things n bait them into trouble
I'm not so sure of that...In my opinion,yes Bender was in the wrong place,the gymnasium,and true,he did aggravate Principal Vernon,and definitely,he made his day a living hell,I get it,but he didn't deserve to be rushed to get his stuff,being called a gutless turd,baited,or Vernon putting his hand on him to force him to go.A false alarm?Now,that's wrong.Liked when Bender said,hey ,keep your effin hands off me,I expect better manners from you ,Dick,and shoved books off the counter.To be honest ,the principal doesn't need Bender to make him look bad,no,he can do a great job himself,a teacher for 22 years,would be a shame for him,let alone any other educator to throw away a career like that over a troubled teen,5 teens.
This is where you see how Bender is comparing the principal or whoever he is to his father
Lara The Trashcan his father is a douche!!
@@stg4498 yep his character is very intelligent
Wow,that Principal Vernon sure was extremely tough in "The Breakfast Club".I like when they have the original profanities said in the movies more than when they're subbed with something different , former is funnier than the latter.Actually,i know why,it's because of the R rating and folks under 17,be it at the movies or home,shouldn't watch it.Both Bender and Vernon were in a dilemma.If Bender hit Vernon after being baited and set up,he'd most likely be suspended where as if Vernon's punch connected ,no doubt,he'd likely be FIRED,do you agree or disagree with that?
❤️🌌🗺🌎🌍🌏 Yeah In A Way But He’s Father’s A Much Worse Person & We Don’t Even Get A Glimpse Of The Guy (Th@‘s Always Kind Of Annoyed Me I Definitely Would’ve Liked 2 Have Seen @ Least What He Looked Like My Image Is A Rough Lookin Kevin Cosner) But Yeah U Definitely Make A Point He’s Comparing Vernon 2 His Dad BC Of When There In That Storage Closet Bender Kinda Backs Up His Head & Doesn’t Sock Him
I’ve seen this a million times and never thought/realized that.
This scene shows just how vulnerable John Bender really is. He hears much of the same words his father & mother use towards him every day from Vernon. While John may have accepted Vernon's challenge to hit him in front of other students, he shows not that he is "a gutless turd" but a frightened young man whose life was full of abuse--both physical & mental. After Vernon leaves him locked in that closet, John almost allows himself to cry.
According to how tough and abusive Bender is, I don't think he would cry.
Suzie Phillips I respected what you said but Extreme empathy 💖
@@stg4498 exactly he is not a coward he's just smart he reads up on behaviors
@@stg4498 @odeerg
You're both delusional. You think that's appropriate behavior? For a principal? You both gotta be ignorant as hell. You both realize that if the police found out what Vernon did, he would lose his job and go to jail, right?
@@mrtwister9002 and if Vernon didn’t do this, in 6 months Bender would be in jail. Sometimes people need to be challenged -especially those with discipline problems.
I can just imagine Vernon going home after this:
Vernon's wife: Oh hey honey, how was your day today.
Vernon: Oh nothing new just locking an abused teenager in a storeroom and making him feel really shitty and scared.
Vernon's Wife: Oh, okay
Kawaii Panda I'm not actually sure that his wife will support that after what he did to teaching Bender a lesson
Wonder if he ever did knock his dick in the dirt?
I wouldn't even be surprised
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Did Bender actually leave his sneaker in the gym and go home with one boot or is it staged?I love movies more when all the language is in than when it's subbed for an alternate word because it's funnier in the movies or on the IFC Channel.
Bender all curled up in a storage closet with that frozen look of fear makes me imagine him as a little boy having to deal with that abuse at home. Detention and school are his only safe haven.
And of course, Vernon doesn’t make it any better.
Sucks, he had to put up with his abusive dad everyday and then he has to go to school and deal with him.
Elias Göransson Uhhh the movie shows that’s not what happened
odeerg teacher was still an asshole, would have beat him to death.
@odeerg teachers have a responsibility to kids, and abused kids are no different.
Vernon was being an egotistical prick here, as was bender before they were one on one..
Vernon is not a bad guy, he is an authority figure...any authority figure bender is going to see as the enemy, i.e father, principle, later in life police and bosses . It sucks and this scene here is fucking amazing ..it works on so many levels to show what vernon has dealt with to be an educator and what type of home life some kids come from
@odeerg Over sheltered prick.
Poor Bender, backed into a corner literally and figuratively and there was nothing he could do. An all too real product of a dysfunctional household.
It never escapes him.
I'm glad that it seems like some people understood the true meaning of this scene. Bender tries to act tough, but it's just that, an act. When you look at him in this scene, it's clear that he exhibits a lot of behavior from somebody that's been abused.
He was setting him up to hit him,baiting him,taunting him.That was crazy.How do you know Bender would have punched Vernon?It would probably make the principal even more upset than possible to retaliate.
No
degree7 I actually think Vernon would hurt Bender and held back because a Faculty member especially a Principal or Teacher hitting a student is against the law. Vernon could lose his 31k a year job as Principal ( this was back in 1984 so today it workdays be like 61k a year). I think Bender was frightened of Vernon. Vernon seemed like a tough no nonsense Principal who could fight dirty if he had to. Many Principals are tough because they deal with the bad kids.
Right at the end Benders flinch is real. He though he was gona get hit.
Bender is litigious probably. Bender does work behind the scenes.
Mistaking good nature with weakness.
@@stg4498 He wouldn't have whooped shit! Vernon would have fucked him up.
@@ooOmegaSupremeoo the fuck kinda planet are you on?
@@davisdavisdavis no I agree with kevin he would've. Benders attitude is just a coping mechanism he wants to make others afraid of him to hide the fact that hes actually a vulnerable guy. That's why he actually looked scared of the principal...
@@jessicacaleno1998 that may be true, but bender came from a violent family with no repercussions, so when an authoritive figure like vernon finally got on, bender was caught off guard because he never expected it. but in the end, what wouldve stopped bender from killing vernon?
Bender's body language in the closet is really telling, they way he kinda curls into himself and hugs his leg. He's probably self consciously doing it to self protect and self comfort himself while he's vulnerable and scared
Probably did that a lot after his dad beat his ass.
😥😥😥😥
Poor bender he is a awsome character
@andreithomasisaslave LMAO WHAT
@@SabrinaUmstead Looks like he's got you all figured out.
That line always shakes me, “you think anyone is gonna believe you?” It proves that the principle understands what all those “bad” kids are going through and takes advantage of them instead of help them.
we don't know what vernon's childhood was like...probably he wad bullied at school or maybe he went through rough times, then he just decided not to deal with all this crap no more...
Vernon isnt a bad principal you can tell by how he walks away from that scene. He just broke after all the shit he put him through. It was a man to another man not an education
@@brettt141 I get he was pushed to his limit, but he still threatened a student and that has to be terrifying for Brenner because Vernon’s absolutely right. Nobody will believe him when he said my principal abused me 😕 I could just see the fear in his eyes
Bro STFU. THIS NEW GENERATION NEEDS GUYS LIKE THIS 💯
He wanted been there to hit him so he could hit him back and say itself defense, and he would conveniently leave out the fact that he was up in benders face trying to get him the fight, he would just say I brought him in that room because he left the class and then he attacked me, and like Vernon said who would they believe of course they would believe Vernon over Bender.
The cocky, hard act is just that: an act. He’s really just scared, of his father, of Vernon, and anyone that threatens him. This movie is so deep. Bender is such a well written character!!
The “go see John Bender in 5 years” line is one of the best comebacks/insults in the whole movie. But then you remember that a principal is saying it to a troubled kid and it’s just freakin sad.
I can't even explain how bad I felt for Bender in this scene ;-; I hate Vernon so much, teacher should never treat students like that :/
Vernon is actually not a teacher. He's the school principal.
That's is the point of the problem
Truth is Vernon is not the bad guy, Bender needed a reality check like most kids nowadays.
I thought he was a teacher. Didn't he say something about this?
sha11235 no bro he is the principal
The most incredible thing about this scene is that he makes $31k per year AND owns a home. It’s not like we’re talking about the WWII generation here. This was the 1980’s.
Not to discredit the point you're making but adjusted for inflation it's $91K a year. Even now highschool principals aren't exactly destitute.
I love how vernon instantly corrected himself knowing weed is more important to bender than his family
Obviously, he's delt with this Dick-head Loser on MANY previous occasions...
I would cherish the stress reliever as weed highly compared to the alcohol his abusive father uses.
He was gonna cry but not in the library; not in front of everyone. He was gonna cry after Vernon left.
Talk about "so called" tough guys.
@@Undercover5100 bender is an actual tough guy.
Adjusted for inflation, Gleason makes about $70,000 per year in 2017.
Not really, since he is dead.
He'd be long retired by now
o.k. salary for today. If you are in New York, that sucks.
shrapnel77 This was Illinois. That would be pretty comfortable. Not to mention the pension.
Vernon began teaching in 1962 at 22, retired at 55 in 1995. In 1984 Vernon was teaching for 22 years.
"I'm thinking of trying out for a scholarship." This part never fails to make me laugh 😆
Scholasheeip
@@countof3everybodyOD 🤣
Bender was an obnoxious, disrespectful punk but he was also a victim of an abusive father. His character irritated the fuck outta me (especially with his disrespect towards Brian and Claire) but after that scene where he imitated his dad, I actually had sympathy for him. He was simply a product of his environment. There's a "Bender" in every school smh..
Sean Norfleet- TRUE, but that doesn’t make Vernon’s actions okay. He had a right to get ANGRY and discipline, but you legally can’t hurt or threaten a student.
Bender is a funny and likable character I did not find his disrespect annoying I found it funny
Tf? He was HILARIOUS
He gave Bender the opportunity to prove it. I would bully Tito Ortiz like this,
@@johnrobinson1762 to be fair on bender he wasn't going to hit him because that would have got him expelled
"Impossible sir. It's in Johnson's underwear." That line slayed me the first time I heard it and continues to do so over 30 years later. And the look on his face is priceless!
Vernon may have been right that no one is going to take the word of Bender over him. But he's wrong about one thing. People don't love him in that school and he's not respected. That's the exact reason he's so pissed off. The kids are apathetic and jaded and don't seem to care about anything and that's what makes him not want to come to school in the morning. He thinks that if these kids don't care, then why should he?
I think he's talking about the adults.
He wants to care, but he can’t help himself because he used to be like the kids, however he grew up and is forcing the kids to do the same but it’s just something you shouldn’t do. Especially if it’s intimidating your own students who clearly live in an abusive household.
@odeerg Yes Bender was wrong, even if he did have a troubled household that doesen't give you the permission to mistreat all the teachers and the students. That is not the way to behave, he should have called for help instead of bullyng others.
@odeerg Then Vernon should have retired and got a new job,.
People don't love him in the school cause he's a sociopathic asshole who carries a knife around and brings everyone else down.
I dont think a lot of people understood the meaning of the punch.
If Bender did punch Vernom it would have caught him a case and get him out of school.
If Bender DIDNT punch Verom it shows that he is a clown that hide behind the cool tough guy front.
Overall though it shows that Vernom has the real power and the kids cant do anything about it.
"What are you gonna do about it? You think anyone gonna choose your words over mine? Im a man of respect around here. They love me."
Also, I think is important to mention that is Bender got into any real trouble in school, like violence type trouble, his own father would be on his ass like white on rice. And that's something that Bender doesn't want.
In the matter of Vernon, I think he was projecting when he ranted about how he's respected in the school. I believe that's because he knows that the kids of this generation don't have much respect for authority figures.
Bender doesn't want to be expelled because school is his safe haven
The truth is that no one loves Vernon, he’s just full of himself because he’s a principal and his words are law. He just really fucking hates bender because he challenges his world view on how he’s on top and everyone must submit just like the kids abusive parents.
@@masterzombie161 most of the kids certainly don't love Vernon, but I think Vernon was referring to the other faculty at the school, the teachers, the superintendent loving him and seeing him as a man of respect. And he sees that all them won't believe Bender complaining about him threatening him. If he didn't, he wouldn't have threatened him. Vernon knew Bender would go to the authorities about his threat, that's just a natural reaction. Vernon was just sure that he was too respected by the district and that Bender had too much of a troublemaking record for his complaint to do any good.
Vernon is still butt hurt from when the Gorilla screwed him
Imagine provoking a teenager and thinking you’re hard, that’s still a child you’re dealing with.
I could tell by the way Bender was cowering down that the abuse he goes through is absolutely heartbreaking. That's how his own father acts with him.
I'm a teacher and totally sympathise with why Vernon does this, but he's still wrong. Ultimately, he's an adult and he's talking to a child. He should be able to rise above Bender's behaviour. I've had punks like Bender push me to the limit, and behave way worse than Bender - and I can assure you I've felt like doing this. I've been threatened, had punches thrown at me, called every name under the sun - but I've still never resorted to threatening a kid when no one is listening. The amusing thing is though, when kids like Bender have left school and see you in the street, they're the ones who run up to you all excited wanting to talk to you. Kids like Brian totally blank you.
The most important thing as a teacher is to understand why people act like that. Bender has a problem with authority because at home he doesn't have any control about what happens in school he does. It's the only logical thing for him to bully and to disrespect people like Venom. If a teacher is unable to see that und to react in a professional way he shouldn't be a teacher.
You're telling the truth! My friend Beth just wrote on Facebook that while at the supermarket, she came across one of her 8th graders from 2007. All grown up. She said this kid tested her patience every day. Took her to her limit often.
And guess what? He said she was his favorite teacher. He was there with his wife. The miraculous thing was the wife said he had an accident where he lost part of his memory and he remembered my friend Beth.
She was amazed how great he turned out to be.
@@bigdaddy2343 Twenty years ago, I remember getting into so much trouble in 3rd grade, and being disciplined by my teacher. To this day, I still remember my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Brady!
Kids who have been properly socialized and nurtured, and that are also academically gifted on top of that, don't need you. It's the kids like Bender that do.
I was like that and at the core of the "bad student" facade was just me projecting onto teachers the parental role that was missing in my life.
@@bigdaddy2343 She may have been instrumental in helping him become the man he is.
When Vern got in Bender's face and wanted him to hit him, that reminded Bender on how his father treats him!
“What if your *home?-!-*
Wh-what if your *family?-*
What if your *dope* was on fire?!”
“Impossible, sir. It’s in Johnson’s underwear.”
(Andrew snickers)
You think he’s funny?
You think this is cute?
You think he’s bitching?
Is that it?
BenKNOWSit ! Let me tell you something. Look at him. He’s a bum. You wanna see something funny? You go visit John Bender in 5 years, you’ll see how goddamned funny he is
@@wns808 you guys know there's subtitles right?
@@stevenc400 Question is where exactly would Bender be in 5 years? Struggling to pay bills in his little studio apartment while working at some fast food place? Conning or bumming money off people, buying drugs and having become a total junkie, maybe even on probation? Maybe having committed more serious crimes and serving time? I wonder which one of those things Vernon was thinking Bender would be closer to when saying "Look at Bender in 5 years, and then see how goddamn funny he is".
@@alvexok5523 Turns out bender becomes a comedian in 5 years.
I love how Allison looks at him like she understands she is an interesting character. They ALL are❤ Such an original amazing movie
Movie Fact: Bender's flinch when Vernon fakes a punch was genuine. Judd Nelson really thought Paul Gleason was going to hit him
To everyone in the comment section who went through serious stuff growing up, I want you to know you're worth more than you realize and there's people who care about you. Life isn't easy but there's good experiences and opportunities you're more than welcome to. Feel free and know you have people who have your back. Alright?
People have already pointed out in the comments of Bender’s expression of fear and vulnerability, but I also think there’s another aspect to it. Vernon is supposed to be a good example of a leader, someone children should look up to for help in a sense, but instead, like many people in real life, they abuse their power for their own ego, and in this case, I think Bender is also thrown off and even confused at how far Vernon is going because he’s suppose to help kids, not talk down on them, and it’s a scary thought as a teenager to know these are the people that run the world.
Bender was best actor in movie
yeah he did so incredibly good. judd nelson is amazing!
This scene and the other scene where they are all talking about their lives and why they are in detention always gets to me in this scene you can see that Bender is actually scared and shocked because of how much Vernon reminds him of his abusive father that's why he doesn't swing and Vernon doesn't even see it he just thinks Bender is a bad person but he's really just a battered and abused young man and when Vernon says no one will believe him you can tell that really hurt Bender because he probably told his dad he would tell on him for abusing him and the dad probably said the same thing Vernon makes Bender feel as worthless and shitty here in this scene as much as he feels that way at home
Bender could be lying as well.
This movie changed my life.
I make 31,000 dollars a year and I own a home. LOL 1985 was an entirely different dimension
Very true, $31000 is roughly 90,000 in 2022 money. Nowadays you have loans, other payments etc.
You could get a brand new car for less than 10k back then. I remember buying a brand new 84 Honda accord for 7k.
The fact he couldn't look Vernon in the eye at first says so damn much as well. Coming from personal experience trauma from abuse whether that be mentally or physically, whenever somebody yells at me or talks down on me, I can't look them in the eye out of fear. This scene really hit close to home
I think schools need to start taking into consideration students’ home lives when it comes to disciplining misbehaving or rebellious students because you never know if that is linked to their behavior. Punishing them harshly is only going to make them more likely to be more bad due to decreased self-esteem, anger, and bitterness. They need to get appropriate help instead.
The fact that there are two very different camps in the comments section on who was right in this scene shows how well-written the movie is.
Vernon acts more like a warden than principal
Bender acts more like an inmate than a student.
@@JP-sd7di both valid points
You ever been in an American public school, with the American public?
2:37 right here is when Bender started hearing his father here. 😢😢😢😢. When he “are you threatening me” really hurt my heart. I can’t imagine what rough childhood he went through.
Being a whole adult watching this now is so disturbing considering there's actual authority figures in the school system that do this shit to kids. You can tell bender gets this done to him at home from his father. He is a horrible human being and administrator. 😢 I feel so bad for Bender and this is why I want to be a teacher. And he really thought he was doing something 30k a year even then was pathetic for an administrator 🤣🤣🤣
I'm a teacher and I can tell you from experience...the John Bender's of the classroom end up being the kids who run up to you when you see them out in a store. I had one student that I tried to reach all year and I thought he hated my guts, but at the end of the year...he wrote me a letter saying, "This was the best school year that he ever had. He said, I was his favorite teacher."
It's truly simple when teaching: Don't take disrespect personally. Hurt people...hurt people. If you keep your cool and show them that you truly care about them...they will move mountains for you. The John Bender's of the world are really amazing kids once you break through their rough exterior.
30,000 in 1985 has the same buying power as 86,000 today. Wild
No, it was reasonable upper middle class at the time. There was no connotation that he just revealed himself as poor; he fit the expected for the time & place
Bender really had some skills! Two hand dunk. Dribbling was solid. Finger spin was legit!!
I know this scene is serious and what not, but Bender had me laughing my ass off when he pushed things off the counter at 2:08 just to piss off Vernon lol
He was 25 and still at school.
No wonder he was angry
Pretty sure you are not supposed to lock children in a storeroom
Glad Bender found his way out.
Where was he supposed to put him now?
Pretty sure a lot of things he did was wrong.
Remember this is a 1985 movie, things were completely different back then from now. In 1985, a lot of countries didn't have laws to protect children for abusive situations such as this one. Now, thank the gods, in most countries there is. It just shows how far we've come from that time period.
These aren't children. They're teenagers. With parental approval, they can join the military at 17.
This scene is very well directed from Judd Nelson's acting to the music. Even though Bender is an asshole he is clearly frightened under his skin when Vernon scolds and threatens him in the closet. This is because Vernon bullying Bender is giving us the impression on what life is like for Bender at home. And the music which is eerie again shows how much abuse he gets from his dad.
This was Gary Chang's first film scoring assignment as both arranger and conductor.
It’s a lose/lose situation for him. He loses, he’s fucked because he attacked the principal. He wins, he’s fucked because he attacked the principal
One of the most iconic and quotable movies ever
2:22 I can believe $31k in Jan 1985 is worth $78k in May 2021... minimum wage then was $3.35. Average home cost $82k, average new car was $12k. Mortgage could've been $350 per month, $200 for a car payment, 87 cents gallon of gas. Not too shabby for a HS principal
1:52
The literal one second that the camera cuts to Alison is a testament to what it means to master, "Show, don't tell" in cinematographic philosophy.
John Hughes, you were too good for what we now know of Hollywood today, sir.
Vernon is a CREEP. Threatening a STUDENT? LOW.
Ikr. That's like grounds for employment termination and prison as well!
If Vernon was sick of his job that much,he should've just demoted himself to doing something different. But threatening children is just low man. Let society teach him a lesson that way,you as a principal still have to maintain professionalism and humanity
When I was in school teachers used to slap kids around and nobody ever went home crying to their parents or committed suicide...This generation today needs to grow a pair cajones, not have safe spaces !!
Danny N. Oh shut up. You sound like every other gen X who trashes the younger generation, yet they were just as shitty if not worse. If a teacher hit a kid today, they'd be shot. Either by the kid, or the kids family. If you cant handle kids, dont take up a career that revolves around children. You just want a reason to hit someone elses kid because you probably get off on touching underage adolescents.
Intelligent response !!
You know while Vernon might have a point that nobody will believe Bender's word over his, shouldn't it at least be/have been said that they might listen to reason from Andrew, Claire, Brian's and Allison, I mean the reason why unlike Bender they can't stand up to his level because he's the principal of the school and they have to listen to what he says, it's clear from this scene that they can see how Vernon treats Bender really.
I have to say that it was very low for Vernon to use Benders image and his life as a person against the others; Andrew mostly in this scene to try and get them to listen to reason, and if he even knows what Benders father does to him and yet still says that then he's really just as bad
They don't see it. This is in a closet.
@@sha11235 they see everything up until they walk out of the room
Dude i wonder how their relationship would change if Vernon showed a little compassion and Bender actually opened up to him.
Alot of the reason Vernon doesn't show compassion towards Bender is because Bender is so disrespectful to Vernon
@@alvexok5523 Well no duh, but an adult is better equipped to understand human emotion, especially in adolescents.
He would've shit all over it just like he shit all over the other kids in detention and the janitor for literally no reason, he doesn't care. I've known plenty of kids like Bender, many of which were asshole bullies, they don't care about anything.
That's $75,000 in 2018 dollars.
Today, most principals make 150,000.
3:04-3:08 you wish
“Impossible sir. It’s in Johnson’s underwear” love that line
Here, Bender starts to cross the line from macho and tough to genuinely frightened. The way he was curled up in the closet makes him like a puppy.
Loved it when he called Bender’s bluff and Bender shit himself.
I don't get it Vernon daring Bender to punch him... that kind of crosses the line.
I think he figured Bender wouldn't do anything, which he didn't.
Plus if Bender really *did* hit him, nobody would believe him if he said Vernon goaded him to do it. It was a win win for Vernon.
Vernon is way smarter than Bender, which is why he dared Bender to hit him. Vernon knows so much about life that Bender does not. As cool as Bender thinks he is, in reality, he is a scared little boy.
Then why didnt he hit him, Bender knew Vernon was at his limit and really meant the things he was saying.
@@Shinobi10598 Why didn't Bender hit Vernon? I think he was scared of Vernon in that moment, as his behaviour mirrors that of his abusive father at home. He was probably afraid of Vernon in that moment for a lot of reasons - as I just said, Vernon was acting a lot like his father in that moment and if he did hit him, no one would believe him if he told them that Vernon pressured him into it. As Vernon said, he was respected by people (mainly teachers... he wouldn't have gotten his job position if he wasn't). Why didn't Vernon hit Bender? He was simply taunting and testing him. Would the rude, loud boy be as courageous without his audience? No. Vernon simply cornered him, intimidated him and threatened him to get the message across that he was in charge and the one to be feared, not Bender.
BENDER'S reaction was fucking classic!!! Love that scene
When I was in high school, there were some guys who were a little like Bender. Makes me wonder what their lives were really like.
I was one of them.
I could even portray Bender back in a Junior High play.
Paul Gleason is fantastic in his role as the principal. RIP Paul
It’s a good thing Bender didn’t have that switchblade on him. “You know..you remind me of my father..”
Paul Gleason was absolutely masterful in this movie. This Joffrey levels of making you hate a character.
The world needs more Vernons. Back then there were no safe spaces or snowflakes. I knew as a young man that some teachers were only a few eye witnesses of tanning my hide if I acted up, so as a result, I stayed on the straight & narrow. Poor Bender my foot…
Before the day I die, there are 5 things that I want to ride: bicycle, tricycle, automobile, Vernon's mom, & a ferris wheel.
It's virgin's mother.
I love the backround music.
Yeah, but too bad my cousin, who usually did Hughes' scores, wasn't picked for this one.
@@sha11235 I smell 🧢
I feel bad for Bender. But I went to school with guys like him (or worse) and I can see why a principle would want to beat the crap out of them. He makes his life hell.
If you feel bad you'd know the reason he acted like that in the first place
Vernon just sucks in general though.
When he started bitchin’ about how Bender was a bum and everything, I literally screamed at the T.V; “No, he’s not, you fuckwit!!!” The first time I saw it, lol.
Teachers are supposed to help guide students to become better people! Not threaten to beat the shit out of them!
Bender was a bad apple. He deserved that treatment
@@YM-ow1jx nobody ever deserves that treatment especially a minor, it doesn’t matter how disrespectful or disobedient they are you don’t ever threaten to beat a minor especially if you work in a field that is meant to guide and help kids
John Bender grew up in a abusive household.
Seriously though the fact that he threatened this kid knowing full well how his parents are shows how little compassion he has for his other students. He knows why they are in detention but fails to grasp that it’s the parents fault for how they’ve been raising them. He blames the kids for turning on him, but the truth is that he gave up on them a long time ago and relishes on belittling them and feeling powerful when punishing them like their own parents.
Excaly!
That’s exactly the point Carl the janitor was making.
It doesn't matter. Bender is still a bully and coward at the end of the day. Bender doesn't pick on anyone his own size.
@smellypatel5272 yeah, because he comes from a dysfunctional abusive household what do you not get
@@Dave-cw2mj if that's supposed to make me feel sympathy for him I don't feel it. He and most bullies choose to be cruel to others
It's not all Bender's fault he's like this, it's his abusive father's.
2 wrongs don't make a right
I WANNA BE AN AIRBORNE RANGER!!
I wanna live a life of danger
I think the ONLY reason bender didn't take that hit on vernon was intimidation.
I have always thought in that moment bender was the abused little boy again and projecting his father onto vernon.
Vernon knew it too...he had to know when your dealing with a teenager as angry and aggressive as bender there's abuse in the home, definitely physical. Vernon knew bender could kick his ass in a fair fight but there was no way bender could fight an authority figure with all the shit going on in his head..vernon was able to bait him knowing it would never go past words and walk out being the hard ass...with bender looking like a pussy.
I understand why vernon is so fed up with bender but that was all about vernon's ego and vernon knows it and bender knows it...despite everything bender is no idiot.
You know, sometimes you need to ground those who think that they are untouchable. Good move principal.
Huh... Apparently 31k was worth about 80 grand then
right? I thought about that too. For a teacher, that's quite high as well
dogpetdog vice principal
@Mike Fletcher oH REALLY? SO WOULD YOU SAY 31K IN THE LATE 80S WAS A PRESTIGIOUS SALARY? (sorry for the caps)
@Mike Fletcher The thing is I had no Idea that today (or ever) that the vice principalship was such a high paying job and today its around 110-120k, so its even higher than in the 80s so I guess that does answer my question: The vice president in this movie does have a prestigious job and a high salary
@@dogpetdog well he is a principal so
Director John Hughes was going to fire Judd Nelson who stayed in character during filming to the point of bullying other actors. Paul Gleason (Vernon) defended Nelson as a good actor who was trying to stay in character and talked Hughes out of firing him.
"I make $31,000 a year ...." adjusted for inflation in 2020 and Vernon is pulling down about $76,000 a year. Not bad at all.
$31000($90,000 today), Vernon was making big bank at this school, makes sense since he's the head of the school. You could own a house, 2-3 cars, little to no debt. Vernon was really living life with this income back in 1985.
Deep down inside Bender secretly likes and respects Vernon, and is trying to put up this tough guy act to hide his inner demons and how his father treated him at home.
i just wanna give bender a hug
Vernon gets too much hate. I like how the movie makes him more than a cliched abusive principal and makes him genuinely care for these kids. Bender wanted to be a "tough guy" and disrespect authority, Vernon showed him what a tough guy is and disrespecting authority would be like outside a school setting. Does that make his mistreatment of Bender right? Probably not, especially considering the abuse he recieved from his father causing his behavior. But this film is about rejecting who you are for who you wanna be.
This scene is heartbreaking because Vernon could have truly become a father figure for Bender that he desperately wanted and needed, but Vernon took it personal and ignored his responsibility of being a principal, which is to protect all kids. Sure...Bender was a jerk to him, but as the adult and the leader...he should have tried to help him.
Bender had it coming
No one wants to have him as a dad,
Vernon hates kids.
@@KenMasters. What I am saying..is it could have a been a great character arc for Vernon to do something to show he changed just as the kids in the Breakfast Club changed their attitudes. We see a hint of this change when Vernon reads the letter at the end, but will never know if he changed. It could have been a powerful moment for his character, but John Hughes is the writer so it's his story..
@@rocketeightyseven1823
Actually I never thought of it that way. But I'll tell you what Vernon could've been:
You know Hughes' next movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off? That's was originally planned as a sequel "The Lunch Club", it didn't happen because John Hughes fired Judd Nelson for unnecessarily staying in character (He could've at least replace him with the original casting choice Nicolas Cage as John Bender).
Anyway, what happened to Vice-Principal Richard "Dick" Vernon? That Principal Edward "Ed" R. Rooney antagonist, could've been Vernon instead! The 5 kids play hooky this time and paint the town red, while Vernon (who didn't change at all) also plays hooky to go on a hunt for all 5 throughout their homes, especially Bender! Where have the kids gone to?
· Brian Johnson took his friends to the Sears Tower sky-deck with all those mercantile exchangers.
· Andrew Clark took them to an MLB game to watch the Chicago Cubs VS the Montreal Expos.
· John Bender took them to a 21-and-up bar full of naked chicks, and lied about their ages. (That part kind of made it into Weird Science.)
· Clara Standish took them to the Chez Quis fancy restaurant, and little does she know that her parents have VIP memberships there.
· Allison Reynolds takes them to the Chicago Art Institute to do that iconic montage scene.
@@KenMasters. That makes total sense! I loved Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but it would have been amazing as a sequel to the Breakfast Club. Rooney was Vernon! Makes sense!
My favorite scene in the movie... Thanks for sharing!
I always thought it way kind of funny and ironic when after Vernon calls Bender " a gutless turd" the next scene you see Vernon going into the bathroom to take one😂
Back then, when there were no smartphones, principals and teachers can get away with saying and doing things. Just because the student is a bully, and an angry embattled trouble maker, doesn't mean adults need to bully back.
Such a smart scene the way vernon reenacts the way bender described his father it's so clever
Watching this film now in such a long time and viewing this scenes from the perspective of my childself to now an adult, I can understand both sides.
The principal just wanted respect given his position as the highest administrator of the school, and all Bender wanted was just to be acknowledged as somebody.
It seems that Bender took his act of rebellion out on the principal, who possibly reminded him of his authoritative and abusive father, as a way to cope from being abused, while it seems the principle took his anger out on Bender due to his envy of Bender's carefree life with little responsibilities. the life Dick dreamed of having when he became a principle.
The look on Vernon's face after he says boohoo 😂😂
I like it when Vernon took off his jacket and told Bender to get on his feet.
As a kid, I hated Vernon. HE was a jerk. Now as an adult and as a librarian dealing with difficult kids sometimes, I understand this guy's frustration. Lol
Maybe a teacher like Vernon is what we need today to discipline kids...my opinion...great scene from the movie...
He's a horrible teacher and shouldn't do that to kids. You're sick.
A cowardly boomer who tries fighting teenagers?
1:17
Was thinking about the movie and this scene popped in my head and got me thinking, he was trying to think up something that John would care about he said home and family before deciding to go with his dope, that kinda sounds like he knows what's going on in John's family and if he does he's done nothing about it and makes the next scene where he threatens John even worse.
The fact that the teacher obviously knows about his home situation and still harasses him disgusts me
I knew a lot of kids that were far worse than Bender and they NEVER acted the way of Bender...
@Joey Style he does at 1:15. He was gonna say: what if your home... What if your family... And stopped abruptly after family because he knew well what benders family/father was like and that he wouldn't give a shit if his family (father) burned down... I mean he said dope instead of family he couldn't not know...
@@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti1663 people have different ways of coping i guess. A lot of kids act up because there are things going on at home (like abuse) and they feel like they've never had control in their life. So they act up in school just to feel like they have control over someone with authority, or at least to feel like someone is listening to what theyre saying, even if it's bs. They want to build up this image to seem untouchable and rebellious, perhaps hurting other people along the way, because then they can avoid becoming vulnerable. Like maybe people will stay away if you make yourself seem like an asshole. Also, bender seems to have a bunch of pent up anger towards the world that he releases by talking back and insulting others. (idk, but this is just my interpretation of this behaviour)
Teachers are trained to see signs of abuse at home ...vernon knows damn well this is an abused kid and because of his massive ego he abuses as well
"You're a gutless turd" says the guy who gave up so easily on getting the screw for the door back from him! 😂
Damn Vernon really nailed him to a cross but Bender was a wiseguy
Vernon:"I make $31,000 a year."
Me:"That's nothing to brag about."
In 1985 yes it was
This takes place in 1985 the average income back then was $29,066.11
adjusted for inflation, that's 70,000 a year, which is pretty decent in illinois.
For a teacher in 1984 that’s pretty average. In 2022, it’s about how much teachers make, and that’s very sad.
That's about 85k a year today.
If you notice when Bender is distracting Vernon he sings cadences which hints that his dad may be former special forces enlisted. In other words, not only is his dad abusive, he's also a trained killer. Bender would have had it ingrained by now that trying to fight back physically would be useless which is why Vernon shook him so badly. He probably had once tried fighting back with his dad and it ended very badly.
Huh?
*Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe??*
The music and the all too real Vernon’s tormenting of Bender to try to fight him (happens a lot) makes the scene all the more menacing
Teachers and principals are humans too. They break sooner or later.
bender realizes vernon is an actual lunatic