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Movie

Where to Watch The Wave (1981) in the US

1981
TV-G
46m
7.1IMDb

Drama

We have not confirmed a streaming, rental, or purchase option for The Wave in the United States.

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Availability last checked Oct 5, 2026.

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What it's about

To explain to his students the atmosphere in the 1930's Nazi Germany, history teacher Burt Ross initiates a daring experiment. He declares himself leader of a new movement, called 'The Wave'. Inspired, he proclaims ideas about Power, Discipline and Superiority. His students are strikingly willing to follow him. Soon the entire school is under the spell of 'The Wave'. Anyone who refuses to be a part of the Movement, faces threats or worse. Ross himself gets carried away by his own experiment. Or has it turned into something more than an experiment? A climax is unavoidable, resulting in a hard lesson for both Ross and his students...

Cast and crew

Director: Alexander Grasshoff
Writer: Johnny Dawkins, Ron Jones
Starring: Bruce Davison, Lori Lethin, John Putch

Details

Release date: Oct 4, 1981
Language: English
Country: United States
Awards: Won 1 Primetime Emmy. 3 wins & 2 nominations total