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To Sir, with Love (1967)

Unrated  |   |  Drama  |  14 June 1967 (USA)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 11,093 users  
Reviews: 103 user | 30 critic

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

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(novel), (written for the screen by)
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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Suzy Kendall ...
Gillian Blanchard
Ann Bell ...
Mrs. Dare
Geoffrey Bayldon ...
Theo Weston
Faith Brook ...
Grace Evans
...
Clinty Clintridge
Chris Chittell ...
Potter (as Christopher Chittell)
Adrienne Posta ...
Moira Joseph
Edward Burnham ...
Florian
Rita Webb ...
Mrs. Joseph
Fiona Duncan ...
Euphemia Phillips
Fred Griffiths ...
Mr. Clark
Mona Bruce ...
Josie Dawes
Edit

Storyline

Engineer Mark Thackeray arrives to teach a totally undisciplined class at an East End school. Still hoping for a good engineering job, he's hopeful that he won't be there long. He starts implementing his own brand of classroom discipline: forcing the pupils to treat each other with respect. Inevitably he begins getting involved in the students' personal lives, and must avoid the advances of an amorous student while winning over the class tough. What will he decide when the engineering job comes through? Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A story as fresh as the girls in their minis. . .and as cool as their teacher had to be! See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

14 June 1967 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Al maestro con cariño  »

Box Office

Budget:

$640,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The South African Publications Control Board banned this film, claiming that it was "offensive to see a Black male teaching a class of white children". See more »

Goofs

The band plays a song at the end with an audible tambourine, but there is no-one on stage with a tambourine. See more »

Quotes

Mark Thackeray: It seems you know so little, and are so easily amused, I can look forward to a very happy time.
See more »

Crazy Credits

In the end credits, Michael Des Barres name is misspelled as "Micheal." See more »

Connections

Referenced in Dear John: To John with Love (1990) See more »

Soundtracks

Stealing My Love From Me
Lyrics & Music by Mark London (as Marc London)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Touching film; anchored by Poitier's flawless performance
30 April 2006 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

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.


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