To Sir, with Love (1967)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

James Clavell

Writers:

E.R. Braithwaite (novel)
James Clavell (written for the screen by)

Release Date:

14 June 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A story as fresh as the girls in their minis. . .and as tough as the kids from London's East End! [UK Theatrical]

Plot:

Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End.

Plot Keywords:

School | Student | Classroom | Teaching | Teen

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Mark Thackeray
Christian Roberts	...	Denham
Judy Geeson	...	Pamela Dare
Suzy Kendall	...	Gillian Blanchard
Ann Bell	...	Mrs. Dare
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Theo Weston
Faith Brook	...	Grace Evans
Patricia Routledge	...	Clinty Clintridge
Chris Chittell	...	Potter (as Christopher Chittell)
Adrienne Posta	...	Moira Joseph
Edward Burnham	...	Florian
Rita Webb	...	Mrs. Joseph
Fiona Duncan	...	Euphemia Phillips
Fred Griffiths	...	Mr. Clark
Mona Bruce	...	Josie Dawes

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | South Africa:(Banned) | South Africa:A (re rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Docklands, Poplar, London, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Judy Geeson and Lulu were both reunited with Sidney Poitier in the TV sequel To Sir, with Love II (1996) (TV) directed by Peter Bogdanovich

Goofs:

Continuity: During the opening of the film, the ad on the top of Mark Thackeray's Bus changes from BOAC to Pan Am and back to BOAC.

Quotes:

Pamela Dare: [reading from her school book] And he had learned to love, I know not why, for this in such as him seemed strange of mood. But thus it was and though in solitude's small part the nipped affections have to grow, in him this glowed when all beside had ceased to glow.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Get Smart: To Sire, with Love: Part 1 (#4.20)" (1969)

Soundtrack:

It's Getting Harder All The Time

Touching film; anchored by Poitier's flawless performance

Sidney Poitier's exceptional lead performance anchors this touching film about that special person who changes your life. As the first time teacher to a group of undisciplined British youth, Poitier is in virtually every frame of this picture. It is a role that calls for a high degree of character development, and Poitier meets and expands the challenge by totally inhabiting the character he is playing. I honestly cannot think of any way his performance could be better, and this is a huge compliment for any actor - even one of Mr. Poitier's immense talents.

While not in the same league, the young cast of then-unknowns also perform quite well. Particularly effective of the young cast members is fresh-faced Judy Geeson, who brings unexpected depth to the stereotypical role of the young schoolgirl love-struck over Mr. Poitier (who could blame her). Director/writer/producer James Clavell avoids over-sentimentalization by inject his well-written script with a healthy dose of realism. The film may not be particularly striking, in the visual sense, but Clavell is a perfectly competent film maker, and his love of the material is evident throughout the entire picture.