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To Sir, With Love (1966)

Director: James Clavell

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A British Blackboard Jungle that bears no resemblance to school life as we know it. The kids try hard, but apart from Lulu (an impressive feature debut) are very unconvincing, and the hoodlums' miraculous reformation a week before the end of term (thanks to teacher Sidney Poitier) is laughable. Incessant Cockney street market vignettes and shots of London buses seem to suggest that it was all primarily intended for American consumption anyway.

Author: DP 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • JR said...
    Posted on Sep 30 2009 00:59 A very enjoyable and entertaining film. Set in post war London during a period of reconstruction, rebuilding, and social revolution with a generous splash of teen rebellion. This movie reflects very much what was going on in the rest of the world. Social revolution and change were in the air. I was there. Music was drastically morphing and young teen styles of clothing were changing radically. Revolution was just emerging in education also, though this movie exaggerates it to a degree. It plays out the trials and triumphs of both teacher and students. Lulu, Judy Geeson, and Patricia Rutledge (Keeping UP Appearances) turn wonderful performances. The slideshow was a good, but unconventional, way of covering ground that had to be shown - but where playing it out would have been unpractical. The market scenes illustrate SIR becoming part of the community which was a necessary step to showing him making the decision not to leave the school at the end of term for another job. And like all good teachers, he remains while the students leave and are replaced only for him to begin again.
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Cast & crew

Director: James Clavell

Producer: James Clavell

Cast: Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall, Lulu, Faith Brook, Geoffrey Bayldon full cast

Duration: 105 mins


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