The Explosive Generation (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 4.9
Released in 1961, The Explosive Generation is a drama film directed by Buzz Kulik, running about 89 minutes. “Never has youth gone on such a rampage... never has a motion picture gone so far in telling their raging story!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Peter Gifford is a likable, dedicated schoolteacher that teaches a senior life skills class. When student Janet Sommers brings up the topic of sex and dating, he asks students to write questions on the topic, and will cover them in the next class. The parents get wind of what Gifford is about to do, notify the principal, and he warns Peter not to read the questions in class. Gifford decides to go against this and is suspended. The whole student body protests, and the administration gets worried on what to do.
Who’s in it. The Explosive Generation stars William Shatner as Peter Gifford, Patty McCormack as Janet Sommers, Lee Kinsolving as Dan Carlyle and Virginia Field as Mrs. Katie Sommers, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.9/10, The Explosive Generation has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Explosive Generation page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Explosive Generation tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Explosive Generation (1961)?
- In US, The Explosive Generation is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Explosive Generation worth watching?
- The Explosive Generation holds an audience score of 4.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Explosive Generation?
- The Explosive Generation stars William Shatner, Patty McCormack, Lee Kinsolving, Virginia Field and Edward Platt.
- When was The Explosive Generation released?
- The Explosive Generation was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 89 minutes.