This musical version of James Hilton's novel concerns shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher Arthur Chipping, who falls for flashy showgirl Katherine Bridges while teaching at Brookfield Boys'... Read allThis musical version of James Hilton's novel concerns shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher Arthur Chipping, who falls for flashy showgirl Katherine Bridges while teaching at Brookfield Boys' School outside London in the 1920's.This musical version of James Hilton's novel concerns shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher Arthur Chipping, who falls for flashy showgirl Katherine Bridges while teaching at Brookfield Boys' School outside London in the 1920's.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 6 wins & 5 nominations total
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- Writers
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOriginally cast in the lead roles were Sir 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.
- 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: Amongst 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.
- Alternate versionsFollowing the initial roadshow bookings, the film was cut to 133 minutes, with many of its musical numbers deleted. This was possibly a questionable decision considering many of the songs were instrumental in explaining the characters' inner thoughts and emotions. This cut version was originally used for initial television network broadcasts but the full roadshow version (complete with overture and entr'acte music) is now shown on TCM.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003)
Chips and Kathy have a blissful 20 years together until tragedy strikes in the form of World War II.
Often dismissed as inferior to the classic 1939 version with Robert Donat, this musical from 1969 with Peter O'Toole as Chips and Petula Clarke as Kathy, will always be THE version for me. I first saw it at the cinema on original release and although at the age of 8 I was vaguely aware that it was a film for adults, and some of it was above my ability to comprehend, I fell in love with it. I haven't fallen out of love since. As a matter of fact, when I saw the Donat version on TV shortly after seeing this, it struck me as a pale shadow of the O'Toole movie. I've learnt to respect and admire the original film, but it has never been able to engage my emotions as the O'Toole version does.
Peter O'Toole is brilliant as Chips, his awkwardness, embarrassment and growing self confidence and his all consuming love for Kathy and his care for the boys he teaches is enchantingly portrayed. The scene in which he reacts to the tragedy that World War II brings is incredibly powerful and moving. He really does look like a man whose whole life has crumbled around him.
True, it does make a number of radical changes to the original novel, but this doesn't matter - it works on it's own merits. Never mind the trendy critics of the day, treat yourself to a wonderful two and a half hours of pure magic.
- christophernash290
- Mar 1, 2013
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 35 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1