Ben Ross (played by Bruce Davison) is a protagonist in The Wave.
A school social studies teacher who initiates 'The Wave' social experiment to demonstrate how quickly people can surrender individual beliefs to a group movement, ultimately exposing it as a lesson by playing Hitler footage. David (played by John Putch) appears in The Wave.
A student who initially joins the Wave to help his football team, gains popularity, breaks up with Lauree, becomes violent towards her, but later realizes the movement's dangers and helps convince Ross to end it. Robert (played by Johnny Doran) appears in The Wave.
An initially unpopular student granted monitor authority within the Wave, which boosts his confidence, but he is left devastated and crying when the movement is revealed as a fake experiment.
The Wave (1981) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Ben Ross
(played by Bruce Davison) — protagonist
A school social studies teacher who initiates 'The Wave' social experiment to demonstrate how quickly people can surrender individual beliefs to a group movement, ultimately exposing it as a lesson by...
David
(played by John Putch) — supporting
A student who initially joins the Wave to help his football team, gains popularity, breaks up with Lauree, becomes violent towards her, but later realizes the movement's dangers and helps convince Ros...
Robert
(played by Johnny Doran) — supporting
An initially unpopular student granted monitor authority within the Wave, which boosts his confidence, but he is left devastated and crying when the movement is revealed as a fake experiment.
Key Relationships
David → Robert
(Alliance Teammate)
Ben Ross → Robert
(Professional Teacher)
Ben Ross → David
(Professional Teacher)
Story Analysis
A teacher's social study on authoritarianism spirals out of control, revealing how quickly conformity can override individual morality.
Plot Progression
The Classroom Experiment
The Movement Expands
Social Fractures
The Final Exposure
Directed by Alexander Grasshoff
The Wave (1981) · 7/10 · drama, thriller, tv-movie
