Adapted from a long novel by Pat Conroy, the story is shortened to focus on a harrowing account of institutional racism in the 1960s American South. David Keith stars as Will McLean, a senior student at the fictional Carolina Military Institute. When the school admits its first black student, McLean is confidentially charged with making sure that the newcomer's initiation does not get too violent. Yet that is exactly what happens, and McLean becomes alarmed when it seems like someone is out to kill his new charge. McLean's own investigation of the matter uncovers an elusive group of sadistic students who will go to any length to control their school.

The Lords of Discipline is a 1983 American film based on the novel by Pat Conroy and directed by Franc Roddam. The film stars David Keith, Robert Prosky, Judge Reinhold, Bill Paxton, William Hope, Michael Biehn, and Olympic boxer Mark Breland. The college scenes were filmed primarily at Wellington College in England, as none of the American military academies would allow filming on their grounds because of the book's less-than-positive portrayal of life at a military academy.

The year is 1964, and Carolina Military Institute is about to do something it's never done in its entire history—allow a black man to become a member of the Corps of Cadets. Will McLean, a senior private, has been assigned to watch over him to ensure that he makes it through the year. This assignment forces him to stand against the power of "the Ten," an alleged secret brotherhood within the Corps of Cadets sworn to uphold CMI's highest standards – by any and all means necessary.