---
title: "The Wave"
year: 1981
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-wave-1981"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 31074
imdb_id: null
status: "Unknown"
community_rating: 6.9
vote_count: 0
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# The Wave (1981) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-wave-1981

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Topic: Film "The Wave" (1981).
Style: Meticulous television and film archivist, neutral, encyclopedic prose, plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
Constraints: Use only verifiable facts from the provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES. No guessing. No invented names, dates, numbers, etc.
Word Count: 150-190 words.
Requirement: First sentence must not contain spoilers.
Content: Overview of the film.
Title: The Wave.
Year: 1981.
Release Date: October 4, 1981 (US).
Format: Made-for-TV movie, TV Movie.
Genres: Drama, Thriller.
Director: Alex Grasshoff.
Basis: Based on The Third Wave experiment conducted by teacher Ron Jones.
Plot/Premise: A teacher conducts an experiment in an American high school where students learn how easy it is to be seduced by the same social forces which led to the horrors of Nazi Germany. The experiment aims to explain to students how the German populace could accept the actions of the Nazi regime.
Broadcast Info: Debuted October 4, 1981. Aired again almost two years later as an ABC Afterschool Special.
Runtime: 44m.
Draft 1:
        The Wave is a 1981 made-for-TV movie directed by Alex Grasshoff. Categorized as a drama and thriller, the film has a runtime

## The Hook & The Verdict

## Streaming Availability Matrix

Direct streaming licensing updates dynamically. Consult the live tracking interface at https://www.archytele.com/show/the-wave-1981#watch.

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I watch The Wave?
Streaming availability for The Wave varies by region and platform licensing. Use our live availability tracker above to check direct streaming, rental, or purchase links across major verified platforms.

### Q: Is The Wave worth watching?
The Wave holds a community rating of 6.9/10. It offers engaging Drama, Thriller for fans of the genre.

### Q: How long is the movie The Wave and when was it released?
The Wave is a feature film with a runtime of 110 minutes. It was released in 1981.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Wave — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/31074)
- [The Wave (1981 film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(1981_film))
- [The Wave (TV Movie 1981) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083316/fullcredits/)
- [The Wave (1981) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/31074-the-wave/cast)
- [The Wave (1981 film) - Wikiwand](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Wave_(1981_film))
- [The Wave (1981) Full Cast & Crew - Plex](https://watch.plex.tv/movie/the-wave-1981/credits)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*