Introduction

The Substitute: Failure Is Not An Option (also known as The Substitute 4) is a 2001 action thriller film directed by Robert Radler and starring Treat Williams as Karl Thomasson, a former mercenary who must infiltrate a military school’s faculty to stop the actions of a white supremacist cult.

The film is the fourth and final instalment in The Substitute series and was released direct-to-video.

Outline

Karl Thomasson, an ex-Special Forces soldier and retired mercenary, is approached by his old army buddy Teague who gives him a mission: working undercover at a military school where Ted, Teague’s nephew, is one of the cadets. Teague believes that the cadets and the student faculty are part of a white supremacist cult being run at the school. Karl accepts the mission and begins working as a history teacher at the school, seeking to expose and eradicate the cult.

While investigating, Karl teams up with Devlin, who served with Karl in the US Army, who works at the school as a martial arts teacher. They learn that Colonel Brack is leader of the cult and Ted is one of the cult members.

The Substitute Series

Three direct-to-DVD sequels were made with Treat Williams replacing Tom Berenger.

• The Substitute 01 (1996).
• The Substitute 02: School’s Out (1998).
• The Substitute 03: Winner Takes All (1999).
• The Substitute 04: Failure Is Not an Option (2001).

Production & Filming Details

• Director: Robert Radler.
• Producer: Robert Radler.
• Writers: Dan Gurskis.
• Music: Stephen Edwards.
• Cinematography: Richard M. Rawlings Jr.
• Editor: Lou Angelo.
• Distributor: Artisan Entertainment.
• Release Date: 24 April 2001 (US).
• Running Time: 91 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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