To Sir, with Love (1967)

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

Director:

James Clavell

Writers:

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

Stars:

Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Engineer Mark Thackeray arrives to teach a totally undisciplined class at an East End school. Still hoping for a good engineering job, he's hopeful that he won't be there long. He starts implementing his own brand of classroom discipline: forcing the pupils to treat each other with respect. Inevitably he begins getting involved in the students' personal lives, and must avoid the advances of an amorous student while winning over the class tough. What will he decide when the engineering job comes through?

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Plot Keywords:

school | student | teaching | classroom | teacher | 

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Taglines:

A story as fresh as the girls in their minis. . .and as cool as their teacher had to be!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al maestro con cariño

Filming Locations:

Docklands, Poplar, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$640,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Columbia British Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lulu performed the title song, which went straight to No 1 in the US.

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Goofs

Boom mic shadow visible at the top left of the screen (on the white arches) when Mark Thackeray is at home opening his post and receives the job offer.

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Quotes

Mark Thackeray: It seems that you know so little, and are so easily amused, that I can look forward to a very happy time.

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Crazy Credits

In the end credits, Michael Des Barres name is misspelled as "Micheal."

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Connections

Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Off And Running"
Lyrics by Toni Wine
Music by Carole Bayer Sager (as Carole Bayer)
Performed by The Mindbenders (uncredited)

User Reviews

A Wonderful Film

Sidney Poitier is absolutely superb in this film about a novice teacher who prepares a class of uncouth youths for adulthood. There are too many wonderful scenes to catalogue in this commentary but among the highlights are: his reaction to the naughty chatter of the ladies on the bus, his coping with the young lady who has a crush on him, and his complicated relationship with the stiffnecked rebel of the class. There are so many positive messages imparted in this film and they come across without being heavy-handed. Highly recommended, 9/10.