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For other uses, see To Sir, with Love (disambiguation).
To Sir, with Love

original movie poster
Directed by James Clavell
Produced by James Clavell
Written by E. R. Braithwaite (novel)
James Clavell (screenplay)
Starring Sidney Poitier
Christian Roberts
Judy Geeson
Suzy Kendall
Lulu
Music by Ron Grainer
Cinematography Paul Beeson
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) June 14, 1967 (U. James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell ( 10 October, 1924 – 7 September, 1994) was a British (later Edward Ricardo Braithwaite (born June 27, 1920 in Georgetown, Guyana) is a Guyanese Novelist, Writer, Teacher Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE (ˈpwɑːtie born February 20, 1927) is an Oscar - Golden Globe - BAFTA - and Grammy Judith Amanda "Judy" Geeson (born September 10 1948 is an English actress. Suzy Kendall (born Frieda Harrison, 1 January 1944) is a British Actress best known for her film roles in the late 1960s and early Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE, (born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie on 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire Ron Grainer ( 11 August 1922 — 21 February 1981) was an Australian born composer who worked for most of his professional career in }} Columbia Pictures Industries Inc is an American Film production and distribution company Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the The year 1967 in film involved some significant events It is widely considered as one of the most ground-breaking years in film S. release)
Running time 105 min
Country Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $640,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

To Sir, with Love (1967) is a British film starring Sidney Poitier that deals with social and racial issues in an inner city school. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The year 1967 in film involved some significant events It is widely considered as one of the most ground-breaking years in film The United Kingdom has been influential in the technological, commercial and artistic development of cinema. Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE (ˈpwɑːtie born February 20, 1927) is an Oscar - Golden Globe - BAFTA - and Grammy The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis James Clavell both directed and wrote the film's screenplay, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by E. R. Braithwaite. James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell ( 10 October, 1924 – 7 September, 1994) was a British (later Edward Ricardo Braithwaite (born June 27, 1920 in Georgetown, Guyana) is a Guyanese Novelist, Writer, Teacher

The film's title song "To Sir, with Love", sung by Lulu, reached number one on the U. " To Sir with Love " is the theme from the 1967 film To Sir with Love. Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE, (born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie on 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire S. pop charts. Record chart are a method of ranking Music according to Popularity during a given period of time The movie ranked number 27 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies. Entertainment Weekly (sometimes abbreviated as EW) is a Magazine published by Time Inc A television movie sequel, To Sir, with Love II, was released in 1996. A sequel is a work in Literature, Film, or other media that portrays events following those of a previous work To Sir with Love II ( 1996) is an American Television movie, a Sequel to the 1967 British film, To

Contents

Cultural impact

The film is in a now-established genre in which an idealistic teacher is confronted with a class of cynical teenagers, disengaged from conventional schooling. The first such film was Blackboard Jungle in 1955 -- in which, incidentally, Poitier played a disruptive pupil. Blackboard Jungle is a 1955 Social commentary film about teachers in an inner-city school The present film makes a departure in that it sets Poitier, a black teacher, in a predominantly white London school. White People is the second album by Handsome Boy Modeling School. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The film touches on racial issues but concentrates on the usual tropes of teenage angst and inspirational leadership. The film portrays a sanitised and fictional Swinging London. Swinging London is a catchall term applied to a variety of dynamic cultural trends in the United Kingdom (centred in London) in the second half of the 1960s Issues of sexual infatuation between a pupil and teacher were rather less sensitive in the 1960s than they were to become in the 21st century, as evidenced by the rather provocative strapline A story as fresh as the girls in their minis. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 The 21st century is the current century of the Christian Era or Common Era in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Advertising Slogans are short often memorable phrases used in advertising campaigns The miniskirt (often hyphenated as mini-skirt) is a Skirt with

Subsequent films that explored the inspirational teacher drama theme include: The Principal (1987), Stand and Deliver (1988), Lean on Me and Dead Poets Society (both in 1989), Dangerous Minds (1995), Music of the Heart (1999), Take the Lead (2006), and Freedom Writers (2007), as well as Sister Act 2. The Principal is a 1987 film starring James Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr Stand and Deliver is a 1988 Film dramatizing the work of Jaime Escalante, a dedicated High school mathematics Teacher Lean on Me is a 1989 Biographical - Drama film written by Michael Schiffer, directed by John G Dead Poets Society is a 1989 film directed by Peter Weir. Set in 1959 (though not free from anachronisms at a conservative and autocratic Dangerous Minds is a 1995 Drama Film based on LouAnne Johnson 's autobiographical account of her experience as a Marine Music of the Heart is a 1999 Dramatic Film. This film was produced by Craven-Maddalena Films and Miramax Films, and Take the Lead is a movie starring Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Alfre Woodard, Dante Basco, Marcus T Freedom Writers is a 2007 American film starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey. Sister Act 2 Back in the Habit is a 1993 Comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg, directed by Bill Duke, and released by Touchstone

Plot Summary

Braithwaite's name is changed to Mark Thackeray. As the movie opens, Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) is beginning his teaching position at a tough London high school. He comes from British Guiana via the United States, and holds a degree in Communication Engineering. British Guiana was the name of the British Colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the — What It Means It may be hard to imagine today but at the beginning of the 20th century the Wright Brothers were just getting their "flying machine" He has applied unsuccessfully for numerous engineering positions, and is taking this job to make ends meet while he continues to look for a job in his field.

The staff offer varying opinions about students at this tough school. Mr. Weston (Geoffrey Bayldon) is openly contemptuous of them. Geoffrey Bayldon (born 7 January 1924) is a British Actor. After playing roles in dramas of Shakespeare, he became famous with the Gillian Blanchard (Suzy Kendall) is admittedly afraid of them. Suzy Kendall (born Frieda Harrison, 1 January 1944) is a British Actress best known for her film roles in the late 1960s and early Deputy Head Evans (Faith Brook) warns that while they're mostly good kids, they come from rough homes, and excel at riding roughshod over teachers. Faith Brook (born 16 February, 1922, York) is an English actress who has appeared on stage in films and on television Headmaster Fernman (Grahame Charles) explains that they're mostly rejects from other schools. We're informed that their antics drove their last teacher to resign.

The students more than live up to their reputation. Led by Bert Denham (Christian Roberts), and Pamela Dare (Judy Geeson), they're an unruly mob who view the classroom as their domain, not Thackeray's. Christian Roberts (born October 22, 1979 in Cardiff, Wales) is a Welsh midfielder who retired in September 2008 finishing his career Judith Amanda "Judy" Geeson (born September 10 1948 is an English actress. A 'battle of wills' ensues - Thackeray tries to establish order, and the students resist his authority. (One student, portrayed by Michael Des Barres in his acting debut, even wears sunglasses right in the classroom; Thackeray keeps taking them off for him. Lord Michael Philip Des Barres Marquis Des Barres (born 24 January 1948) is a British actor and rock singer Sunglasses or sun glasses are a visual aid variously termed Spectacles or Glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to prevent strong ) As the students' antics progress from simple disruptive behavior, to embarrassing Thackeray by rigging his desk to collapse, his calm manner and resistance to baiting earn him some early respect with the class.

One fateful day, a water balloon dropped from the window of his classroom narrowly misses Thackeray as he enters the building. In the classroom, he discovers something disgusting burning in the grate. He finally loses his composure, ordering the boys out of the classroom and berating the girls for their disgusting behavior. Fearing he's made a fool of himself, he retreats to the staff room, expressing his dismay that he's been so easily manipulated by 'these kids' - then realizes that treating them as kids is precisely the mistake he's been making with his students.

Thackeray returns to the classroom to outline a new approach and set some ground rules. The students will be leaving school soon, and will enter a society where neither sluts nor hooligans prosper. Therefore, he will treat them as adults, and allow them to decide what topics they'll study. He emphasizes this by throwing out all the textbooks, and insisting that they'll be expected to use proper forms of address (both toward him and amongst themselves) and to take pride in their appearance and deportment.

Denham continues to bait Thackeray, but the rest of the class is won over. Although Thackeray's humble background is quite like their own, he's made a success of himself by cultivating his language and dress. They're especially excited when he suggests that they should go on a class outing to the museum. The Headmaster approves the outing, and Thackeray arrives on the morning of the trip to find a classroom of well-dressed, well-scrubbed students. The outing is depicted as a photo montage of happy, wondrous students having the time of their lives.

But as their classroom environment approaches perfection, the outside world infringes, threatening to derail everything.

Their gym teacher, Mr. Bell (Dervis Ward), insists that 'Fats' Buckley (Roger Shepherd) participate in vaulting, despite his classmates' objections. The vault collapses under Buckley's weight, and Potter (Christopher Chittell) threatens Bell with the vault's broken leg. Christopher John Chittell (born 19 May 1948, Aldershot, Hampshire) is an English Actor. Thackeray is called to defuse the situation. In class, he demands that Potts should apologize for the incident, pointing out that if a knife or gun was available, things could have been much worse. Potts only agrees when Denham points out that Potts will need Thackeray's recommendation for a job interview when school ends.

Thackeray has obviously lost the support of much of the class, especially the boys. They refuse to invite him to the class dance. When Seales' (Anthony Villaroel) mother dies, the class takes up a collection for a wreath, but refuses to accept Thackeray's donation. The girls still seem to respect him, though. It's clear they feel uncomfortable delivering the wreath personally (due to racial issues), but Pamela offers to take the flowers to the funeral, over Denham's objection.

Thackeray finally receives a job offer, while the Headmaster advises him that he feels 'the adult approach' has failed, that class outings are canceled, and that Thackeray will take over the boys' gym classes.

Pamela's mother comes to speak with Thackeray, concerned that Pamela is staying out late and might be getting into trouble. When Thackeray speaks with Pamela, she insists her mother doesn't care about her, and that the presence of male callers at her mother's house excuses her actions. Thackeray maintains that Pamela still owes her mother respect, and she accuses him of being 'just one of them'. She won't be taking the flowers to the funeral, either. Thackeray's split with the class is complete - now they all hate him.

In gym, Denham insists they have a boxing class, beginning with him and Thackeray. Thackeray reluctantly agrees. Despite getting in some early blows, Denham is disabled when Thackeray knocks the wind out of him. Although he was trying to hurt Thackeray, Denham is surprised that Thackeray did not capitalize on his advantage. For his part, Thackeray admits that he understands the apparent unfairness of his decisions. Denham is clearly impressed, and expresses his admiration for Thackeray to his fellow students. He is later greeted warmly by his students, including Denham and Pamela, when he arrives at Seales' mother's funeral.

By winning Denham over, Thackeray wins over the rest of the class, too. He's invited to the class dance, and when he shows up at the Seales funeral, he's greeted by the entire class, come to pay their respects.

At the dance, all has clearly worked out well. Weston admits that Thackeray is really quite a gifted teacher, and should reconsider leaving. The Deputy Head concurs, suggesting that he should go to another school, if nothing else. Barbara Pegg (Lulu) announces a 'ladies' choice' dance, and Pamela singles out Thackeray as her partner. This is an article about an American automobile company For other subjects with similar names see Lulu. Denham announces that the class has 'something special' for Thackeray, and they present him with a pewter mug, while Lulu sings the movie theme. Thackeray is too moved for words, and retires to his classroom.

Two young students storm into the classroom, mocking his gift and joking that they'll be in his class next year. When they leave, Thackeray rises, ponders his situation, then retrieves the job offer from his pocket. He tears the offer up and throws it in the wastebasket. His work here is not yet done.

Social Issues

Given the neighbourhood depicted and the issues involved, the film might have been much more violent, and the students' language much more obscene. Obviously, the language and situations were considerably sanitized for audiences of 1967.

Most of the students' language consists of milder oaths than their East End subjects would actually use. There's plenty of 'bleedins', but nothing worse.

Street life in the East End at the time was often quite brutal, and it's likely the students' home lives were also occasionally violent. While some allusion is made to harsh upbringings, street violence is not even mentioned.

The object of Thackeray's disgust, burning in the grate, is not identified in the movie. In the book, however, it is identified as a used sanitary napkin.

Racial Issues

Thackeray is very over-qualified for this teaching position. He's spent eighteen months applying for engineering jobs, with no luck. He doesn't explicitly state that race has played a role in his lack of job offers, but does admit to the Headmaster that he has taken this position for 'reasons', and it's clear from other references in the film that race plays a role in British society.

Weston makes repeated references to Thackeray's ethnicity. He refers to him as a 'black sheep', and suggests that he might deal with the students using 'black magic' or 'voodoo'. There's no telling, really, whether this is intentional racism, or whether he's simply playing Devil's advocate. It's interesting that he's even more contemptuous of the students. By the end of the film, however, it's clear that he respects not only Thackeray, but the students as well.

Seales tells Thackeray that he hates his father because of what he did to his mother. He points out that his mother is 'English', while his father is just like Thackeray - that is, black. He insinuates that marrying his mother is the worst thing his father could have done to her.

After Seales' mother dies, the rest of the class decides to mail a wreath to the funeral. When asked by Thackeray why they don't deliver it personally, they admit that it would cause a large amount of gossip if they were seen entering a black man's home (though they also insist that they mean no offense to Thackery by this).

When Denham tries to embarrass Thackeray in class, he questions him about television footage featuring 'black women dancing around with no tops on'. Obviously, he considers race an obvious subject for scorn.

A tin can was thrown in the direction of Pamela Dare but Thackeray deflects it. Upon noticing that he is cut, Potts exclaims that Thackeray's blood is, in fact red and Pamela shoots back, "what were you expecting Pinhead, ink?"

Through all of this, Thackeray remains quite dignified, and even seems a bit surprised, at times. He seems more determined to overcome prejudice than to express bitterness about it. Perhaps this is presented as a tie-in with the students, who face similar social prejudice because of their backgrounds and upbringing.

Quotes

(Thackray's verbal lashing at the girls when they burn a sanitary napkin in the classroom grate)

(Thackeray and Denham (after the 'boxing match' in gym class))

. . . .


(Thackeray and Pamela Dare (after their dance))

External links

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