IMDb > Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   1,136 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
James Hilton (novel)
Terence Rattigan (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Goodbye, Mr. Chips on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 December 1969 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Tagline:
He is a shy schoolmaster. She is a music hall star. They marry and immediately have 283 children...all boys! more
Plot:
A shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher falls for a flashy showgirl. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
A Total Delight more (32 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Peter O'Toole ... Arthur Chipping
Petula Clark ... Katherine Bridges
Michael Redgrave ... The Headmaster
Alison Leggatt ... Headmaster's Wife
Siân Phillips ... Ursula Mossbank
Michael Bryant ... Max Staefel
George Baker ... Lord Sutterwick
Jenny Runacre
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Audreson
Leo Britt ... Elder Master
Barbara Couper ... Mrs. Paunceforth
Michael Culver ... Johnny Longbridge
Elspet Gray ... Lady Sutterwick
Clinton Greyn ... Bill Calbury
John Gugolka ... Sutterwick Jr.
Patricia Hayes ... Miss Honeybun
Jack Hedley ... William Baxter
Barbara Knox
Jeremy Lloyd ... Johnson
Mario Maranzana ... Pompeii Guide
Elspeth March ... Mrs. Summersthwaite
Craig Marriott ... New Boy
Jack May ... Price
Clive Morton ... General Paunceforth
Tom Owen ... Farley
Michael Ridgeway ... David
Sheila Steafel ... Tilly
Ronnie Stevens ... Algie
Royston Tickner ... Policeman
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:155 min | 152 min (original version) | 148 min (video version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Mono (35 mm prints)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Originally cast in the lead roles were Rex Harrison and Samantha Eggar, who were replaced by Richard Burton and Lee Remick. When MGM opted to replace Remick with Petula Clark, based on her reviews and Golden Globe nomination for Finian's Rainbow (1968), Burton balked at playing opposite a "singer" rather than an "actress", so Peter O'Toole was cast instead. more
Quotes:
Katie: [looking at a carving] What does that mean?
Chips: Gnothe seauthon. Know yourself. The watchword of Apollo.
Katie: The god of prophecy?
Chips: Among other things...
[Later at the close of the scene]
Katie: [contemplating the temple she has visited] Know yourself. That's quite a watchword. Gnothe seauthon.
Chips: You're most retentive.
Katie: Give me a good line and I can remember it.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Ken Adam: Designing Bond (2000) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Fill the World With Love (Reprise) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
A Total Delight, 19 June 2002
10/10
Author: rube2424 from New York, USA

When it opened in London during the Christmas season of 1969 this musical version of James Hilton's famous story was drubbed by the critics. The same reception greeted it when it opened in the US, prompting MGM to withdraw its "Roadshow" status and cut almost all of its songs. What a mistake!!!

Watched years later, when the trendy world of the 60's and 70's has turned in upon itself, this version of GOODBYE, MR.CHIPS is a total delight. First of all, as "Chipping", Peter O'Toole gives one of his greatest performances. To watch him turn from the hated, cold, emotionless Latin teacher at a boy's boarding school, to a man who finally can see the colors in the world (after falling for and marrying musical star Catherine Briskit) is to see a genius at work. (If you can, watch LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, THE LION IN WINTER, MY FAVORITE YEAR and CHIPS back to back over a number of days or weeks. Then you will see what a truly great actor O'Toole is, and how magnificent he is in CHIPS.)

Catherine, as played by the glowing Petula Clark, at the height of her popularity, is ever man's dream; beautiful, loving, understanding, with a great voice to boot. Most of the songs are beautiful and fit the story perfectly, while the direction by the late Herbert Ross brings the proceedings wonderfully to life.

Okay, this film may be a bit too romantic for some people, but for those who are looking for a beautifully acted, sung, and directed love story, look no further. (If you can get your hands of the laser disc wide screen version, better yet. I am anxiously awaiting CHIPS' debut on DVD.)

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So when is it coming out on DVD? Pippin's Diamond
Disappointed TS_Secretary
goofs? ximmer8-1
THERE IS A SCENE MISSING FROM THIS FILM readinglips
I LOVE this movie!!! Scarf_Girl
DVD seems to be out now YammaD
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