The Wave (1981 TV Movie)

Teri Ralston: Mrs. Saunders

Quotes 

• Laurie : It was incredible, everybody was saluting and repeating the motto, you couldn't help but get caught up in it. You know, really wanting to make it work.

  Mrs. Saunders : Well I don't like it, Laurie, it sounds too much like brainwashing and mob psychology to me.

  Laurie : No, Mom, it's nothing like that, honest, you just have to be there to feel the positive energy in class to really get what's going on.

  Mr. Saunders : I am for whatever will make kids pay attention to anything these days.

  Laurie : And that's really what it's doing. Even Robert Watkins, you know, the class creep, he's even part of the group now.

  Mrs. Saunders : But you're supposed to be learning history, not how to be part of a group.

  Mr. Saunders : This country was built by people who were part of a group. The Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers.

  Mrs. Saunders : Yes, but it owes its greatness to those people who weren't afraid to be individual.

  Laurie : Stop worrying, Mom, Mr. Ross has just found a really great way to get everybody to learn something. Even the slow kids are keeping up.

  Mrs. Saunders : That's all very well and good for the slow kids, but it just doesn't sound like the right thing for you, Laurie, sweetheart, we raised you to be an individual.

• Mrs. Saunders : Honey, just remember that the popular thing is not always the right thing.

  Laurie : Mom, you don't understand.

  Mr. Saunders : I am sure that Laurie's history teacher knows exactly what he's doing. Besides, as long as the other parents aren't raising any objections, why should we make a fuss?

  Mrs. Saunders : Because it is dangerous to allow a teacher to manipulate students like that. We've always taught Laurie to think for herself.