To Sir, with Love (1967)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

James Clavell

Writers:

E.R. Braithwaite (novel) and
James Clavell (written by)

Release Date:

14 June 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A story as fresh as the girls in their minis. . .and as tough as the kids from London's East End! [UK Theatrical]

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Classroom | Student | School | Teaching | Teen

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Mark Thackeray
Christian Roberts	...	Denham
Judy Geeson	...	Pamela Dare
Suzy Kendall	...	Gillian Blanchard
Lulu	...	Barbara 'Babs' Pegg (as 'Lulu')
Faith Brook	...	Grace Evans
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Theo Weston
Edward Burnham	...	Florian
Gareth Robinson	...	Tich Jackson
Grahame Charles	...	Fernman
Fiona Duncan	...	Euphemia Phillips
Patricia Routledge	...	Clinty Clintridge
Adrienne Posta	...	Moira Joseph
Ann Bell	...	Mrs. Dare
Chris Chittell	...	Potter (as Christopher Chittell)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | South Africa:(Banned) | South Africa:A (re rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Docklands, Poplar, London, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The film was held from release for more than a year until Columbia Pictures decided to open it in Westwood, California in the summer of 1967 where it really broke through.

Goofs:

Continuity: When another student throws a can at Pamela, she is facing Thackery and defends against the object with her right hand. When Thackery catches the can a split second later, Pam now has her back to Thackery, defends with her left hand, and has to turn completely around to respond to him.

Quotes:

Barbara Pegg: Sir, have you ever been really really broke?
Mark Thackeray: Yes. Yes I have.
Pamela Dare: Sir, you're like us... but not. It's funny.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Night Court: To Sir with... Ah, What the Heck... Love (#9.18)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

It's Getting Harder All The Time

Touching film; anchored by Poitier's flawless performance

Sidney Poitier's exceptional lead performance anchors this touching film about that special person who changes your life. As the first time teacher to a group of undisciplined British youth, Poitier is in virtually every frame of this picture. It is a role that calls for a high degree of character development, and Poitier meets and expands the challenge by totally inhabiting the character he is playing. I honestly cannot think of any way his performance could be better, and this is a huge compliment for any actor - even one of Mr. Poitier's immense talents.

While not in the same league, the young cast of then-unknowns also perform quite well. Particularly effective of the young cast members is fresh-faced Judy Geeson, who brings unexpected depth to the stereotypical role of the young schoolgirl love-struck over Mr. Poitier (who could blame her). Director/writer/producer James Clavell avoids over-sentimentalization by inject his well-written script with a healthy dose of realism. The film may not be particularly striking, in the visual sense, but Clavell is a perfectly competent film maker, and his love of the material is evident throughout the entire picture.