2368. The Chaos Class Failed The Class (1976)

Starring: Kemal Sunal, Münir Özkul, Semra Özdamar

Director: Ertem Egilmez

Running Time: 91 mins

The Chaos Class Failed The Class (Hababam Sınıfı Sınıfta Kaldı) is a Turkish film and the sequel to The Chaos Class. When a young female teacher arrives at the all-boys’ school, the class set about their mischief, while some try to win her affections.

Think Animal House, but a little less raunchy and a lot more Turkish, and you’ve got this film. A simple and easy-going comedy throughout, The Chaos Class Failed The Class is a likable and pleasant affair, and even if it isn’t gut-bustingly funny right the way through, it is a generally very innocent and relaxed film, and something that you can easily giggle and smile along to.

Let’s start off with the comedy itself, which, while not world-class, is just right to provide an enjoyable watch regardless. As I said, the film, despite its similar appearance and atmosphere, is far less raunchy than Animal House, and it’s that innocent, naughty schoolboy vibe that makes it such a surprisingly delightful watch, as we see the characters get up to all sorts of mischief that feels like it’s out of an old storybook.

Of course, that lighter vibe does make the comedy and pranks at times feel a little tame, but it does the film a world of good when it comes to getting to like the characters.

As a sequel, the film returns to the characters established in the first movie, and they are a real pleasure to spend the time with, even if they are overgrown mischievous children. Once again, the innocent vibe comes into play here, and while the characters do play undeserving pranks on their teachers, it’s all in the name of good-natured fun, something that comes across in delightful fashion throughout.

When it comes to the story, the film doesn’t quite manage to keep you as engrossed as it keeps you entertained with the comedy, and that proves a point of frustration towards the final act when the humour does get a little tired. It’s still a pleasant and enjoyable watch, but around the effectively bare-bones story premise of: students make mischief, new female teacher turns up, students make more mischief – there’s very little else the story can do to keep your attention to the same degree.

With that said, I had a fun time with The Chaos Class Failed The Class. An easy-going, enjoyable and pleasantly innocent comedy, the film is a delightful watch throughout, and even though it doesn’t quite prove perfect over the entirety of its runtime, it still does enough to put a smile on your face, and that’s why I’m giving it a 7.5 overall.