Wild in the Streets
Wild in the Streets

Wild in the Streets

1968Movie94 minEnglish

Musician Max Frost lends his backing to a Senate candidate who wants to give 18-year-olds the right to vote, but he takes things a step further than expected. Inspired by their hero's words, Max's fans pressure their leaders into extending the vote to citizens as young as 15. Max and his followers capitalize on their might by bringing new issues to the fore, but, drunk on power, they soon take generational warfare to terrible extremes.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Director: Barry ShearGenres: Comedy, Drama, Satire

Plot Summary

A rebellious rock star, Max Frost, uses his immense popularity to manipulate the youth vote and ultimately to win the presidency of the United States. Once in office, he enacts radical policies, including lowering the voting age to 18 and making it illegal for anyone over 30 to hold public office. The film explores themes of generational conflict, political satire, and the growing influence of youth culture in the late 1960s.

Critical Reception

Wild in the Streets was a controversial film at the time of its release, tapping into the zeitgeist of the late 1960s with its blend of political satire and rock and roll energy. While some critics found its message heavy-handed or its plot outlandish, many praised its bold commentary on youth culture, politics, and the generation gap. It was a moderate commercial success, resonating with younger audiences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its timely and sharp political satire that captured the anxieties of the era.
  • Noted for its energetic performances and incorporation of contemporary rock music.
  • Some found the plot implausible and the message didactic, but appreciated its willingness to tackle controversial themes.

Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not readily available, but contemporary reviews suggest it was seen as a provocative and relevant film for its time, appealing to a younger demographic interested in political commentary and counter-culture.

Fun Fact

The film's plot about lowering the voting age and the subsequent political ramifications was prescient, as the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18, was ratified in 1971, just three years after the film's release.

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TMDB Reviews

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Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Ambitious 60’s teensploitation satire is amusing, but with dull storytelling_** A new band in SoCal rises to popularity led by the charismatic Max Frost (Christopher Jones). He uses his position to unite youths and enters politics wit...