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IMDbPro

To Sir, with Love

  • 19671967
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
18K
YOUR RATING
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.
Play trailer3:18
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End.Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End.Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
18K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • James Clavell
  • Writers
    • E.R. Braithwaite(novel)
    • James Clavell(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Sidney Poitier
    • Judy Geeson
    • Christian Roberts
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Clavell
  • Writers
    • E.R. Braithwaite(novel)
    • James Clavell(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Sidney Poitier
    • Judy Geeson
    • Christian Roberts
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 142User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:18
    Official Trailer
    Trailer
    Trailer 3:19
    Trailer

    Photos118

    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier and Christian Roberts in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Christian Roberts as Denham in "To Sir, with Love"
    Sidney Poitier, James Clavell, and Mark Thackeray in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    To Sir, with Love (1967)
    Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Lulu, and Christian Roberts in To Sir, with Love (1967)
    To Sir, with Love (1967)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sidney Poitier
    Sidney Poitier
    • Mark Thackerayas Mark Thackeray
    Judy Geeson
    Judy Geeson
    • Pamela Dareas Pamela Dare
    Christian Roberts
    Christian Roberts
    • Denhamas Denham
    Suzy Kendall
    Suzy Kendall
    • Gillian Blanchardas Gillian Blanchard
    Ann Bell
    Ann Bell
    • Mrs. Dareas Mrs. Dare
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    • Theo Westonas Theo Weston
    Faith Brook
    Faith Brook
    • Grace Evansas Grace Evans
    Patricia Routledge
    Patricia Routledge
    • Clinty Clintridgeas Clinty Clintridge
    Christopher Chittell
    Christopher Chittell
    • Potteras Potter
    Adrienne Posta
    Adrienne Posta
    • Moira Josephas Moira Joseph
    Edward Burnham
    Edward Burnham
    • Florianas Florian
    Rita Webb
    Rita Webb
    • Mrs. Josephas Mrs. Joseph
    Fiona Duncan
    • Euphemia Phillipsas Euphemia Phillips
    Fred Griffiths
    • Mr. Clarkas Mr. Clark
    Mona Bruce
    • Josie Dawesas Josie Dawes
    Marianne Stone
    Marianne Stone
    • Gertas Gert
    Dervis Ward
    • Mr. Bell (P.T. Teacher)as Mr. Bell (P.T. Teacher)
    Peter Attard
    Peter Attard
    • Inghamas Ingham
    • Director
      • James Clavell
    • Writers
      • E.R. Braithwaite(novel)
      • James Clavell(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The producers sought permission to film in the British Museum for the outing sequence, were denied only a few days prior to filming, although stills photography was permitted. Stills photographers Laurie Ridley and Dennis C. Stone were given a free hand, following the cast throughout the museum, creating the iconic montage sequence for the movie.
    • Goofs
      The students in the class, most of the teachers at the school, and the vendors at the fruit and vegetable market wear the same clothes throughout the movie.
    • Quotes

      Mark Thackeray: [entering classroom and seeing smoke] All you boys, out. Girls stay where you are. Out.

      [closes door]

      Mark Thackeray: I am sick of your foul language, your crude behavior and your sluttish manner. There are certain things a decent woman keeps private, and only a filthy slut would have done this and those who stood by and encouraged her are just as bad. I don't care who's responsible - you're all to blame. Now, I am going to leave this room for five minutes by which time that disgusting object had better be removed and the windows opened to clear away the stench. If you must play these filthy games, do them in your homes, and not in my classroom!

    • Crazy credits
      Lulu received an "introducing" credit.
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood U.K.: A Very British Picture (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      To Sir, With Love
      Lyrics by Don Black

      Music by Mark London (as Marc London)

      Performed by Lulu (uncredited)

      Arranged and Conducted by Mike Leander (uncredited)

    User reviews142

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Sidney Poitier's Defining Role
    Sidney Poitier (as Mark Thackeray) wants to be an engineer, but finds jobs scarce; so, he takes a job teaching a group of unmanageable East End London secondary (high) school students. The inexperienced Mr. Poitier has no control in the classroom. With only a few weeks before graduation, he decides to teach discipline and respect. Poitier's biggest classroom problem is rebellious youth Christian Roberts (as Denham). He also has to deal with pretty blonde Judy Geeson (as Pamela), who develops a "schoolgirl crush" on her handsome black teacher.

    Poitier doesn't seem to be doing much academic teaching; but, with only a few weeks to go, he makes some instinctive, wise decisions. As the students' "newest replacement", he must start with extensive classroom management. Mostly, the students like to dance and smoke cigarettes. But, through the young cast's performances, and their scripted background, you believe they are worse than they appear on film. The film is a simplistic representation.

    Poitier's dignified characterization is superb. As "Mr. Thackeray", he handles societal racism with quiet reservation. Thackeray does not verbalize any racial "blame" for his 18-month failure to find an engineering job. He grins sweetly when the ladies on the bus hint about his sexual prowess. He does not respond to the cynical teacher's bait. And, he responds with non-sensual sincerity to the film's interested blondes. More than anything, Thackeray values courtesy, which is evidenced by his first "tantrum".

    Thatcher is a man of polite manners, who values respect. He demands the students call him "Sir". Poitier's command for respect works not only with the students, but also with the audience. Poitier cuts through the film, and demands the same respect from the audience.

    You call him SIR!

    So, the "lesson" achieves the unexpected - both Thackeray and Poitier are successful with their audience. The audience responded by making Poitier a "Box Office" superstar. It was the right message, the right time, and the right man.

    Director James Clavell and the Lulu-sung title song are also outstanding. Most movie award organizations favored Poitier's two successive 1967 films. But, "To Sir, with Love" did very well with the "Film Daily" critics: "To Sir, with Love" was the year's #4 Film, and #1 song. Poitier was the #3 "Best Actor" (one better than his "In the Heat of the Night" role), Christian Roberts was "Juvenile Actor" #2, and Judy Geeson won as #1 "Juvenile Actress".

    ********* To Sir, with Love (6/14/67) James Clavell ~ Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Lulu
    helpful•8
    0
    • wes-connors
    • Aug 15, 2008

    FAQ10

    • What is 'To Sir, With Love' about?
    • Is "To Sir, with Love" based on a book?
    • What was burning in the classroom fireplace and why did the students burn it?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 14, 1967 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gospodinu, Sa Ljubavlju
    • Filming locations
      • Docklands, Poplar, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Columbia British Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $640,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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