To Sir, with Love Reviews

• One of Poitier's best

  
  By A2EWN4ANV3CPG6 on 2002-03-18
  Sidney Poitier has the role of a new teacher in one of Britain's secondary schools. He is given a class of students who, with maybe one or two exceptions, have reached the end of the academic road and will be leaving school at the end of term. They have no academic future and their future outside of school is not to promising. Bike messengers and shop assistants if they're lucky is what awaits these 15 year olds. (Leaving age in the mid-60s was 15.) The kids can care less about school and are just watching the days roll down until they don't have to attend anymore.

  Poitier's charecter quickly realizes that the best thing he can do is get these kids ready for the real world. He junks the syllabus and creates his own plan for these people to meet life with something like survival skills. Instead of maths, science and english, he teaches the world of cooking, politeness and proper grooming. These latter skills will help these kids far more than being able to diagram a sentence.

  I first saw this film when it first came out. I think I had a better appreication of it, as an American, becuase I had jsut returned from living in the UK and attending a secondary school, which while not like North Quay, did introduce me to some of the characters portrayed. Guys I knew were facing school leaving with prospects of working as a green grocer's assistant or a boy soldier or seaman in the Forces. So on an intellectual level, I certainly understood what Poitier's character faced. These weren't juvenile delinquents but a real segment of British society that probably still exists today.

  This film has just as much validity today as it did when it was first released. The cast is excellent from Poitier down to the kid with no lines but filling a desk. I found this to be a fine film at the time I first saw it and today when I saw it again after a period of several years between viewings. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys British films.
  
  

• Poitier Is Masterful

  
  By A1GN8UJIZLCA59 on 2001-02-21
  1967 was an incredible year for Sidney Poitier. He starred in three magnificent films, the Academy Award winning films, In The Heat Of the Night & Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and this superb movie. Mr. Poitier stars as Mark Thackery who is an engineer, but in need of a job accepts a teaching position at a tough West End school. His class is made up of unruly ruffians and at first they rebel against him. It becomes obvious to Thackery that these kids don't have an interest in learning normal academics and that none of them will pursue higher education so he decides to prepare them for live by giving them lessons on how to cope in the real world. He gives cooking lessons, make up lessons for the girls, takes them to museums and they develop a respect and love for each other. Judy Geeson is fabulous as Pamela Dare, a blond beauty who develops a crush on Thackery. Christian Roberts is Devin the leader of the group. He is a thug not use to rules and is constantly testing Thackery. Lulu is Babs Pegg and she does a credible acting job and supplies the film with its famous theme song. Michael Des Barres has a minor part as one of the students and he would go on to minor rock career and marry one of the most famous of all rock groupies Pamela Des Barres. Mr. Poitier is the glue that holds the film together and he is equally forceful and compassionate in his performance. To sir With Love is dated in some ways with regards to the fashions and slang language, but it's story is timeless
  
  

• Flawlessly wonderful

  
  By A3RTKL9KB8KLID on 2000-07-25
  This is my all-time favorite movie. The story is of a Black engineer, born in British Guyana and educated in California, who takes a job teaching at a high school in a depressed area of London. He has no teaching experience, and so develops his teaching style from his own experience. Gradually the relationship between the teacher (Poitier) and his students evolves from suspicion, to respect, to love. There is the obligatory romantic attraction between Poitier and one of his students, Judy Geeson. (Geeson, who plays this part with endearing and convincing sweetness, grew up to become the supercilious and insufferable across-the-hall neighbor from Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in the TV sitcom "Mad About You").

  Everything is perfect in this movie. If you can watch the very last scene without tears, then you are stronger than I. In retrospect, I think this movie was one of the influences which caused me to become a teacher, 17 years after I first saw it. I hope it has done the same for some others, and that it will continue to do so in the future. See it!
  
  

• Powerful, sentimental, wonderfully done

  
  By A2XRMQA6PJ5ZJ8 on 2005-06-04
  Somehow I just missed this one when it came out during my youth. I recently caught it on Satellite and immediately ordered the DVD. This is a wonderful, powerful film featuring a fabulous performance by Sidney Portier. I have caught Portier in a few other films, and he was excellent in all of them, but his performance in this film is quite simply magnificent. His class, intense intelligence, and talent all shine through in this moving story of a teacher who touches a classroom full of lower-class Brits and leaves them the better for it.
  
  The storyline is well-known, so I shan't dwell on it in this review. Who among us has not had the good fortune of encountering, in our young years, a particularly gifted teacher who perhaps sets us on the right course despite ourselves? That is what this story is about. Portier (playing Mr. Thackary, to be addressed as "Sir!") is assigned to teach a tough classroom of young working class Brits, who are about to graduate and enter the workforce. The pupils are poorly educated and thuggish. Thackary quickly realizes that their real problem is that they lack a moral and social compass, or any appreciation of the value of an education. He confronts the class, and inspires most of them to steer a more proper course in life. This is a fine story of teenage angst, growing up, and the important role that a gifted teacher can play in a young life. An underlying and inspiring theme, of course, is the fact that Portier plays a black man immersed in a nearly completely white school at a time when Western society had a long way to go as regards racial equality. He encounters prejudice, but transcends it by his talent, intelligence, and force of personality. Eventually the class comes to fully appreciate the extraordinary nature of their teacher. Similarly, Mr. Thackary, who originally had accepted the teaching post while searching for a job as an engineer, comes to know that his true calling and talent is teaching. It does not matter how hard-boiled the viewer, no one can fail to be touched by the ending of this superb film.
  
  This is a stylish flick set more or less in the Beatles age of the 1960s. The British nature of the film, the British setting, etc. has a special fascination to the American viewer, and of course when this film was released, the British pop "invasion" was in full swing. This, combined with Portier's incomparable performance, the solid storyline of this film, and really good acting by an appealing British cast, made this low-budget film a smash hit. Of course, the theme song "To Sir With Love" by Lulu is a sentimental and touching component of the film, which became a top rock tune in the States.
  
  I purchased my DVD in May 2005. Some reviewers apparently received copies that erroneously had a Japanese monster movie on Side B. My copy did not have this error, so the publisher has evidently corrected the problem. The sound and colors on my copy are excellent; the remastering was well-done
  
  Too many films are rated 5 stars here on Amazon, but this is one for sure. One indicator of a truly fine film is how it stands the test of time, and whether the viewer returns to it repeatedly. This film passes these tests with flying colors (or should I say "colours"?).
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Sidney Poitier is Excellent !

  
  By ACYR6O588USK on 2007-08-11
  This is a very moving film ,Sidney Poitier as a teacher who does not accept defeat.
  
  Judy Geeson is perfect as the smitten student who gets to dance with Mr. Poitier. Lulu sings the theme song with heart and soul.
  
  As the rough students begin to understand and respect mr. Poitier , you realize they're not so bad after all.
  
  They all have a heart.
  
  
• "To Sir With Love" Just One of Many Superb Sidney Films!
  By APRAUZ9Z7X4PI on 2000-10-02
  Once again, Sidney Poitier transcends racial stereotypes, and provides us an important lesson in life. This time, he emerges as simply a good man who earns the love and respect of his students. 1967 was a memorable year for Poitier who starred in three, countem' three, box office hits. Perhaps the most penetrating line ever uttered in Poitier's distinguished career was in the same year: "They call me Mr. Tibbs!", he said, with a flare that is still haunting. "To Sir With Love" provides this truly sophisticated actor a much different setting to showcase his wisdom. Here, Poitier displays his natual gift for teaching as he politely but firmly tames a classroom full of London's most obnoxious bongholes. The situation intensifies when the quietly determined, novice school teacher insists that the potential hoodlums (who he is trying to rescue from the difficulties of being teenagers) change their self destructive behavior. Things get worse before they get better, and a powerful drama (and some fine acting) unfolds in the process. Audiences in 1967 gasped when Poitier showed up with his fiance at the dinner table of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Likewise, "To Sir With Love" audiences exhaled a collective sigh of relief when Poitier put aside his romantic interest in a favorite fair skinned pupil. Many of today's audiences are not enthusiastic about inter-racial dating and marriages either, but content of character (in such awkward situations) is certainly more of an overall consideration. Poitier's influence on American culture and its expanded capacity for tolerance cannot be underestimated. His presence on the big screen was the first time many people had experienced an Afro American who so modestly but effectively demanded treatment with dignity. Poitier has excellent command of the English language, and speaks his mind freely and fluently. It's a far cry from the typically demeaning and distasteful screen images of today, especially those with predominantly black casts. Afro Americans are often portrayed as deceitful, immoral, foul mouthed hoodlums who practically deserve whatever punk fate they get. If this trend is to be reversed, the very actors whose livlihoods are at stake must refuse to represent the Afro American community in this manner. Speaking the English language intelligently and tossing the expletive rap are big first steps!
  
  
• POITIER PLAYS THE TEACHER THIS TIME AROUND! A CLASSIC!
  By A1ER6IYOMM8VCT on 2007-08-15
  Highly entertaining drama about a new teacher who's first teaching job is at a rough London school. Poitier played a street tough in an earlier film called "Blackboard Jungle" which was very similar to this film. This time he is the teacher! hmmm......Karma? This is a true classic with great music from LuLu and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. Poitier is at his best here and this should not be missed. The DVD transfer in very good.
  
  
• How it really was in England in the 60's
  By AXCHGOSUN2215 on 2001-04-30
  Only Sidney Poitier & Lulu called have created such a tremendous movie, which shows the true way we lived our school days in rainy London in those swinging 60's, we were all young kids who fealt great freedom in living and in speech, pop music ruled our lives because at that time the only pop radio stations available to us, were beamed from ships in the north sea, we had the Beatles etc and we had love, we liked to outrage other people and every time I watch this movie it brings tears to my eyes, my youth, relived over again. The plot and acting is first class but then it should be because it is 100% how England used to be, if you never grew up in those days, well you missed a great adventure, so why not buy this movie and see real life.
  
  
• :0) i'm in love
  By A2NUHWMHA9XNKV on 2006-06-14
  IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS MOVIE there is something wrong with you or your tv...
  
  
  Saw it when i was small and its like wine it gets better in age classic movie with a classic cast with a classic song...Sidney Poitier is classic
  
  
• Great Movie - Problem with the DVD
  By A3OPQYFKSLIYUJ on 2004-11-29
  This is a fine classic movie: others have reviewed it more expertly than I could, so I will confine my remarks to the DVD I received through my Amazon order.
  I did not view it for about two months after receiving it. When I did watch it, I found that Side A, the full screen version, played fine. Side B, which promised a widescreen version, instead contained an entirely different movie: a dubbed version of a Japanese film 'Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla.' I am completely at a loss.
  So, buy the DVD, but check out Side B.
  
  
• Mr. Poitier simply owned Hollywood in 1967!
  By A20Z1PKIH0PFUF on 2007-08-15
  Has there ever been actor who had a better year than Sir Sidney did in 1967? It's hard to believe that he wasn't even nominated for an Oscar that year. The man starred in three classic films - "In the Heat of the Night", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and of course this enjoyable, little gem - "To Sir With Love" all in 67.
  
  "To Sir With Love" is one of those films that is almost impossible not to like. You may argue if it deserves the label of a true classic, but there's no denying how sweet and entertaining this fine film is. Based on the true story by E.R. Braithwaite (I highly recommend the book as well), Sidney Poitier absolutely shines in the role of Mark Thackeray (a.k.a. 'Sir'), a young man who after searching unsuccessfully for work as an engineer opts to take a job as a teacher at a rough, East End London high school. The rookie teacher immediately finds himself in a hornet's nest, as his poor, obnoxious students try their very best to break the man. However, Sir is not a man to be broken, and eventually he is able to transform the beastly brutes and tasteless tarts into real gentlemen and ladies. Poitier simply lights up the screen as 'Sir', a man who is able to teach these troubled, frustrated, angst-ridden youths what it means to be a dignified, respectful member of the human race.
  
  I love this movie. Yes, it's a bit dated, and those churlish of critics might wish to scoff at it being too schmaltzy and saccharine for their tastes. However, even the most callous of critics agree that as overly sweet as this film is, it's still thoroughly enjoyable. On top of the great work of Sir Sidney, you've got the adorable Judy Geeson turning in a fine performance as Pamela Dare, the class beauty who can't help but fall head-over-heals for the sophisticated 'Sir'. Lulu may not be the greatest of actresses, but she sure can sing and who among us doesn't love that unforgettable title song. "Why is it Sir, that children grow up to be people one day..."
  
  Just a side note, in the actual book by Braithwhite, Sir and Gillian Blanchard (played by the stunningly beautiful, Sharon Tate look-alike Suzy Kendall) fall in love and end up getting married. However, we all know that Sidney and Hollywood were already pushing the envelope that year with "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". So in this film, the two remain close friends, but there is unfortunately no romance. Alas, another sign of those turbulent times of the 60's...
  
  This is a film that your whole family can watch and enjoy together. It's a shame they don't make 'sweet' movies like this anymore. Every once in a while, we disenchanted folk need upbeat, cheerful films like this to keep us sane and bring us a little good cheer. This one I can guaranty will put a smile on your face. And that is worthy of five stars alone!
  
  
  
• Honestly, one of my favorite movies.
  By A2UKG0Y6AJ3DTT on 2000-02-29
  I was never a fan of Sidney Poitier. Actually, I am still not. However, this movie has definitely opened my eyes to the wonderful world of teaching. I sat down and watched it one day, for lack of something better to do. When the last credits rolled, I rewound it and watched it again. I must say, this movie is excellent. The picture it presents of British teens is incredible. It's very universal, I know people that are Denim and Pamela, Potts and the rest of them. I highly recommend anyone to watch this movie, especially teens that are having trouble fitting in. This is a movie made for misfits.
  
  
• A Classic!
  By A2MSOMM8D4XHDL on 2002-07-31
  Sidney Poitier's performance in TO SIR, WITH LOVE is nothing short of masterful. His presence, a great script, and a gang of unruly British teenagers make for a wonderful film. If you are a fan of Poitier, have a soft spot for teachers, or just want to see a great film buy TO SIR, WITH LOVE today. This dated classic won't disappoint you.

  Poitier plays a dashing new teacher in an East End school. The school is basically a holding area for hoodlums. "Sir" Poitier seems to have no control over his "class". However, through teaching the practicalities of life in the real world, Sir is able to reach the teens. His struggle and triumph over the challenge of teaching is a grand one. Masterfully directed and written by famed James Clavell, this a classic treasure of a film.

  If you enjoy classic films, wonderful acting, or Sidney Poitier this a film you need to have. If you don't like interacial mixing, teachers, or dated films it's not a picture for you. That being said, please give this great movie a view. You won't be disappointed at all.
  
  

• A DVD Warning
  By A3PAXS3OWB1OMU on 2005-02-27
  I can not add more substance to the quality of the movie that has already been stated in other reviews.
  
  The one thing that I will mention is a significant detail about the problem of the DVD pressing. It is a double sided disc that offers the full-frame version on one side and the widescreen version on the other. It is the WIDESCREEN side that has the 'Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla.' on it instead of the widescreen version of 'To Sir With Love'. Chances are, that unless Sony had this title repressed, all DVD's of this title currently for sale will have this problem.
  
  I have been in contact with Sony's customer service, but have not arrived at any solution at the time of writing this review.
  
  It's a great movie, I just wish I could see the whole (widescreen) version.
  
  
• Where is the Sequel???
  By ACMDIDFB5H1FW on 2003-01-11
  I saw To Sir, With Love II in what I think was a made for tv movie sequel and I can't find it anywhere. Poitier is retiring from the British bording school and takes a position in a rowdy Chicago neighborhood 25 years later where he hooks up with his long lost love. I am sure it was as good as the original, that is why I order the original. Any help anyone can give me with where to find the sequel would be greatly appreciated.
  
  
• A real classic
  By A26XOOCIJWDITO on 2007-06-10
  Sidney Poitier had a pretty good year in 1967- this movie, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "In the Heat of the Night". 3 different movies and 3 different roles but his role as the teacher here may be one of his best.
  The movie was filmed on location in London but this was not the London of Buckingham Palace- it was the London of Jack the Ripper. The students here are a working class bunch badly in need of education and discipline. Poitier dominates the movie in a great performance and Lulu sings the title song ( which became a #1 song). This is a movie that holds up to repeated viewings and it's a film everyone should see at least once.
  
  
• Love this movie, Love Sidney in this movie and you will too.
  By ABP69F7LFTI1R on 2007-07-11
  I don't "LOVE" many movies. This one I do LOVE. Intelligent, warm, sassy, with fine acting from the young English cast. This movie just dosen't age. Same problems and teenage angst, nothing really changes, does it? Sidney is an Engineer by trade, can't seem to find a job in his choosen profession, so just for now he takes a teaching position in a low end neighborhood in London. At first the kids give him a rough time, until he realizes these kids need rules and respect for themselves. So he makes everyone in his class address each other with the suffix, Mr. or Miss, a small beginning, but it works. And little by little he grows to like the kids and they learn to respect him and themselves. So many "teenage" movies today are terrible, they don't show consequences for violence, consequences for teen murders, consequences for teen sex and pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Instead they glamorize things that shouldn't be thought of as hip and trendy. See it,let your children see it.
  
  
• Touching
  By on 1999-10-18
  As a student myself, I know that the behavior of the kids in this movie is completely realistic. This movie is thoughtfull and intelligent, but is still enjoyable to watch. I agree with one of the other reviewers - I had tears in my eyes as Lulu sang the last song. A great movie.
  
  
• Absolute perfection
  By AYYAG8AKL8LE8 on 2000-12-28
  Sidney Poitier is magical in this movie. It touches you in your heart, and makes you wish that more people like his character exist. The movie is also entertaining, with a great title song.
  
  
• Brilliantly Stunning...And Captivating!
  By A103KNDW8GN92L on 2001-07-10
  "To Sir With Love" is one of three Sidney Poitier cinematic masterpieces to grace the silver screen in 1967 (the other two being "In The Heat Of The Night" and "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"). In "TS,WL", Poitier plays his part well as a nice, warmhearted schoolteacher. When unable to secure a job as a civil engineer, Mark Thackeray (Poitier) agrees to accept a position at North Quay (pronounced like "key") Secondary School in London's tough East End. Mr. Thackeray quickly finds out he has his hands full with a bunch of hard to discipline teenagers at the outset. When he is unable to reach his students through conventional means of instruction with textbooks, Thackeray is forced to rely on utilizing a more simplified teaching strategy. He accomplishes this by arranging an outing to a local museum of classical art, and also by instructing his pupils in the basic culinary art of Home Economics. Thackeray's newly found confidence is somewhat shaken amongst his students after an incident in the school gymnasium involving one of his pupils, and it is at this point where many of Thackeray's students give him the cold shoulder treatment, with the exception of one Pamela Dare (played nicely by Judy Geeson), who seems to take to Thackeray like a fish to water. In the meantime, Mr. Thackeray applies for many civil engineering jobs via the mail with little success. Later on, when the students' teacher is greeted with a warm reception at the final school dance, it begs the question: should Thackeray stay or go, but not before receiving confirmation (also via the mail) that he's been offered a position with a top engineering firm. For the answer to this burning question, you'll just have to watch this dramatic display of fine acting to find out. Oh, and this film also features the fine vocal talents of Lulu, who is featured as one of Mr. Thackeray's students, as well as sings the movie's title song. The band who performs at the school dance is none other than "The Mindbenders", who were led by Wayne Fontana, and had a major hit with the song "The Game Of Love" before "TS,WL" was released. Make sure you include "To Sir, With Love" in your video library today, because acting of the highest caliber, such as this, only comes along once in a blue moon!
  
  
• An engineer, a teacher, a parent
  By AEBLNWHKT8UK7 on 2002-04-06
  Prejudice, a word Mark Thackery, played by Sydney Poitier, a remarkable actor, know so well in this 1967 inspiring movie. The way the script was written, the actors acted and the director, bestow the title of a classic upon this masterpiece of drama. This movie brought the reality of a classroom to the big screens and now to DVD and VHS. "To Sir, With Love", starring Judy Geeson and of course Sydney, can touch the hearts of any person, no matter the age. Mark Thackery (Sydney Poitier) taught me that a person, no matter how bad they seem, can and will change, with no doubts this has truly touched my heart.
  
  
• Good role for Sidney Poitier
  By A2GPEV42IO41CI on 2005-01-14
  Sidney Poitier plays an idealistic new teacher in a rough London high school, where the kids are used to browbeating the faculty. He gets nothing but disrespect and abuse, until he decides to focus on life skills instead of academics they may never need. He gets involved in their lives outside of school, and the students gradually come to respect and even love him. The film follows him through one school year, which may be his last.
  
  This movie is pretty predictable - hardened delinquents are changed forever by the devotion of a young teacher, but Poitier has such charm and charisma on the screen that you will really enjoy every minute. He brings warmth, honesty, and dignity to the role. I recommend this film to his many fans, to future teachers who also want to change the world, and to everyone who was once a student and had a special teacher who cared about them.
  
  Kona
  
  
• An unforgettable icon from the sixties!
  By A16CZRQL23NOIW on 2005-07-16
  This film under the elapse of time of almost forty years dated, to be honest. The film reflects the hard times of the convulsed United Kingdom the febrile anguish of the young people, somehow this picture had in Blackboard Jungle an acclaimed pioneer that shadowed , considering that Blackboard was filmed in the middle fifties.
  Obviously there is a touching performance of Sidney Potier, the great actor who opened the gate for future actors such Freeman, Jackson, Washington, Fishburne, Smith and Snipes.
  In the other hand the famous soundtrack sung by Lulu was a true hit in those ages and contributed in high degree to impulse this picture.
  An old fashioned picture that keeps captivating kind hearts,generating tears in the audience.
  
  
  
• Out of this World
  By A30TK6U7DNS82R on 2006-01-04
  If asked for my favorite movies I never think of this one, and yet, should TO SIR WITH LOVE show up on TV while I'm flicking channels, that's it, I never flick again, I stay put until the whole show is over and I'm still there a helpless ball of tears on the couch. I could have plans and I just cancel them, how can I go out when TO SIR WITH LOVE is on and even though I'e seen it probably 40 times it's so brilliantly constructed that I can never remember how it ends. Will Thackeray ("Sir") take a job with civil engineering? Or will he stay in the horrid slum school he's been assigned to? Either way it would be a brilliant movie, mostly because of the writing I guess, but also it's superbly directed by someone who really loves kids, for each of the young actors in the film has a different personality, and each of them gets to shine. Of course Lulu has a big part, and she's pretty bad at acting, yet she's so over the top I always think, Well, maybe there were actually slags that loud and vulgar. The young actor who plays "Denham," Thackeray's nemesis, is sort of like Britain's answer to our own Michael Parks, both of them eye candy of a specialized sort, and above all the other youngsters is Judy Geeson, forever immortal for her playing of Pamela Dare, the one student who really gives her heart to Sir, for he's the only one who has given her a reason to think of herself as a human being. Every year that goes by she looks more beautiful and her outfits more trendy and fetching. Just tonight I was watching the big schoolyard scene where Denham throws the tin can at Sir, cutting his palm, and the kids are saying, "Look, Chimney Sweep is bleeding red blood," and Pamela has a fit screaming at them how racist they are. Anyhow she's wearing, well is it supposed to be a slum outfit? It's a perfect, charcoal colored short-sleeved sweater that sets her figure off to perfection, and a charcoal skirt, almost a miniskirt but not quite, and I'm here to tell you, Yves Saint Laurent couldn't have done it better.
  
  She is exquisite in every way, and almost her match is Suzy Kendall, so great in Argento's film THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE and so great here as Poitier's colleague. Check out the dress she wears to the kids' museum trip: puff sleeves, tiny silk-covered bone buttons, white, white, white like some unbelievably tempting pastry. She has gumption in the movie and she's not afraid of what people say and she's not afraid of Judy Geeson's mad love for a forbidden temptation!
  
  The music is great and I would like to know, who is singing that song in the students' recess hall where Lulu and that dorky boy start dancing in a parody of courtly dancing of the 18th century, him kissing her hand, and then they break into current pop dancing of the 1960s? Is it the Mindbenders too, because that track is out of this world--just like the whole film which I could watch every minute of all over again, and will.
  
  
• To Sir, with love.
  By AFDYHKAH8AJDT on 2006-04-05
  Okay this is freaky. I was just thinking of writing a review of this movie and low and behold over my internet radio station, guess what song comes on. I take this as meaning that I have to write this review.
  
  Being a Sidney fan I've attempted to write this before but found that there was way too much to say, but I'll try to pare it down. This is on my personal list as one of my favorite movies because the emotion level is much like a roller coaster ride that the emotional release in the middle and at the end is sure to bring you to tears.
  
  Without the slightest intention of staying in his newly acquired teaching post, Engineer Mark Thackery takes on the poor rough high school students of a London school who had given the previous teacher a nervous breakdown. Being children of the uneducated working class who in many cases needed to work to help support the family giving education the back seat left many of his students repeating the same dark, hopeless cycle as their parents had. This leaves them with little or no expectations of anything more than what their parents were experiencing. Of course it is a very rough start for Mr. Thackery or "chimney sweep" as the leader of the class calls him (the substitute never gets a good start but this is really rough.) The students try him at every turn until he finally explodes. He then realizes that BECAUSE this is all they will ever know at this stage in their lives that they need to be prepared for life in a world that won't give you many opportunities unless you can present yourself in a manner that will allow doors to open for them to a new future.
  
  
  The grace and serenity of Sidney's character throughout this movie leaves the students, parents, colleagues and viewer with a sense of wonder and amazement as he is tested time and again by the class. The sense of joy at each breakthrough is as addictive as the dismay at each roadblock. It's somehow so easy to emotionally connect with this movie because of Poitier's charisma. He meets their advances with dignity, wisdom and caring although he's determined not to get too attached since he knows another job offer will come at any time. Although this theme has been played many times on screen it's rarely been done this exceptionally. The ending is so emotionally mixed that you don't know whether to dance, laugh, cry or cheer....so I do all of the above and watched it all over again!
  
  
  
• To Sir
  By A3T2O1O82UJOMX on 2007-06-11
  Loved it - enjoy Sidney's movies and it brought back a lot of good memories of my teenage years and will watch it many times, I'm sure.
  
  
• I only ment to order one dvd
  By ANK5PYI3HKQZI on 2007-06-11
  the quality of the dvd was perfect. however I goofed up in the ordering process and ordered 2 of the same dvd's. when I realized this right after I placed the order I contacted amazon via email and they assured me my duplicate order had been cancled and I would recieve one dvd of TO SIR WITH LOVE. I still was billed for and recieved 2 dvd's of TO SIR WITH LOVE.
  
  
• A CLASSIC FOR THE AGES!
  By on 2000-01-11
  This is one of the most inspiring movies ever made. It is a movie that not only inspires but it also teaches qualities of character that are sorely missing in today's society.Sidney Poitier is brilliant as the teacher who turns around a bunch of unmotivated and undisciplined school kids.This is the kind of movie the whole family will enjoy.I highly recommend it for parents to watch and learn with their children.
  
  
• A Timeless Classic
  By A3HAIQAPJCTOSH on 2000-03-04
  "To Sir With Love" is a powerful and deeply affecting film. The story involves a young black professional (Sidney Poitier) who seeks work as a teacher in a low-income urban school in London in the `60's. He is at once conflicted with his personal desire for a more financially rewarding position in the professions and his frustration with his inability to "reach" his undisciplined and unmotivated students. He loses his temper one day as the result of a particularly disreputable act and challenges each student to respect themselves if they are ever to seek the respect of others. The understanding and chemistry that subsequently evolves between teacher and student is both poignant and unforgettable. The music, featuring the title song by Lulu, eloquently captures the tone and tenor of the story.

  The message in this film resonates today with the disrespect, dysfunction, and violence in many of our public schools. There is a timeless quality in the commanding but subtle plea for tolerance, respect, and personal accountability. The emotions and images the film evokes provide a rare but treasured moment of humanitarian artistry.
  
  

• To Mr. Heath McEwan, with disgust
  By on 2003-08-31
  I just wanted to say i read your review and was alright with it until i read your sentence which read along the lines of "some viewers believe that the teacher should have lost his cool just once for it to be a believable movie." If you had actually watched the film, you would have discovered in the first hour that he does, in fact, lose his cool 'just once' and calls the girls in his class some rude names. Please do not comment on films you do not care to watch the entire length through. Thank you.
  
  

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