Apt Pupil (Blu-ray) (1998)

Editor's Note Based on the novella by Stephen King, director Bryan Singer's follow-up to THE USUAL SUSPECTS is a harrowing psychological thriller about the relationship that forms between a boy and the neighbor he discovers is a Nazi war criminal. After a brief lesson in history class, star pupil Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) becomes obsessed with Hitler and his followers. Through extensive research, he discovers that the infamous Kurt Dussender (Sir Ian McKellen) has been hiding out, living a normal life in his own neighborhood. But instead of reporting Dussender to the authorities, Todd decides to use him to gain further knowledge...everything that the history books won't tell him. But who ends up using whom, and what happens when a susceptible young mind encounters true evil, leads to a surprising, taught, and unsettling suspense film. Interested in the novella since he was 19, Singer worked closely with screenwriter Brandon Boyce to bring this compelling story to the screen. Filled with the same touches that are hallmarks of his previous films--careful editing, use of small spaces to evoke tense atmospherics, terrific cinematography, and stellar acting--the film is a disturbing exploration into the seductively dark side of human nature.

	David Schwimmer
	Elias Koteas
	Ian McKellen
	Michael Reid MacKay
	Brad Renfro
	Heather McComb
	Mickey Cottrell
	James Karen
	Bruce Davison
	Joshua Jackson
	Ann Dowd
	Don Murphy - Producer
	Bryan Singer - Producer
	Newton Thomas Sigel - Director of Photography
	Kathleen M. McKernin - Art Director
	Richard Hoover - Production Designer
	Louise Mingenbach - Costume Designer
	John Ottman - Editor
	Stephen King - Story
	Jane Hamsher - Producer
	Brandon Boyce - Screenwriter
	John Ottman - Composer
	Bryan Singer - Director

APT PUPIL is a harrowing psychological thriller about the relationship which forms between a young boy and the neighbor he discovers is a Nazi war criminal. The film is based on the novella by Stephen King.

"Would you care for a drink, boy?"----Kurt Dussender (Ian McKellen) to Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) |"How about milk?"----Todd to Dussender

"Boy, be careful. You play with fire."----Dussender to Todd

"Who is this Edward French? A headmaster?"----Dussender to Todd |"No, he's a guidance counselor."----Todd to Dussender |"What is that?"----Dusseder to Todd |"He guides and he counsels. You read the letter."----Todd to Dussender

"You can't do this Todd."----Edward French (David Schwimmer) to Todd |"You have no idea what I can do."----Todd to French

Rolling Stone
"...Riveting..." 11/12/1998 p.121-2

Sight and Sound
"...A highly assured piece of storytelling..." 06/??/1999 p.35-6

Entertainment Weekly
"...[Singer throws] baroque cinematic touches into this disturbingly Stephen King tale..." 11/06/1998 p.56

New York Times
"...Mr. Singer makes this a handsomely shot, stunningly edited feat of gamesmanship..." 10/23/1998 p.E14

Box Office
"...A powerful and disturbing movie, APT PUPIL delivers a brilliant performance from Ian McKellan..." 11/01/1998 p.156

Los Angeles Times
"...The subject and the outstanding performances of Brad Renfro and Sir Ian McKellan give APT PUPIL a magnetic grip on the audience..." 10/23/1998 p.C8