I remember Cipher In The Snow from 5th grade, more than 25 years ago. What I distinctly remember is Cliff Evans' teacher trying to piece together the kid's tragic story. The film concludes with the teacher vowing to never again ignore (in so many words) "the kid in the back of the room, staring off, lost..."
I wonder if the there was an ulterior subject being addressed here: suicide. Cliff simply dies of a broken heart or spirit, but more often in reality kids like him take their own lives rather than succumb to poor health, as seems the case here. There's plenty for any viewer of this film to ponder, certainly students too. It just seems more tailored to adults, as the story is told from the teacher's perspective.
I wonder if the there was an ulterior subject being addressed here: suicide. Cliff simply dies of a broken heart or spirit, but more often in reality kids like him take their own lives rather than succumb to poor health, as seems the case here. There's plenty for any viewer of this film to ponder, certainly students too. It just seems more tailored to adults, as the story is told from the teacher's perspective.