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Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall, Lulu ... see more see more... , Faith Brook , Christopher Chittell , Geoffrey Bayldon , Patricia Routledge , Adrienne Posta , Edward Burnham , Rita Webb , Fiona Duncan , Ann Bell , Stewart Bevan , Avis Bunnage , Charles Graham , Michael Des Barres , Fred Griffiths , Gareth Robinson , Cyril Shaps , Roger Shepherd , Marianne Stone , Dervis Ward , Stephen Whittaker , Peter Attard , Carla Challoner , Joseph Cuby , Margaret Heald , Howard Knight , Lynne Sue Moon , Mona Bruce

Sidney Poitier, who in 1955 played a student in a tough inner-city high school, portrays a teacher assigned to a similar institution in To Sir, With Love. Unable to find work as an engineer, Poitier a... read more read more...ccepts a teaching post in London's East End slums. To reach his sullen, rebellious students, Poitier throws away his textbooks and endeavors to reach them as human beings--and as the adults they're going to become. It's an uphill climb, but gradually the students are won over. They begin referring to Poitier as "Sir," not out of blind obedience but as a gesture of genuine affection. Not that there aren't obstacles to overcome: in addition to trying to get through to hardcase student Christian Roberts, Poitier must face down the resistance and hostility of his fellow teachers. The sweetly sentimental finale amply displays the vocal talents of Lulu, who trills the title song. Based on the novel by E. R. Brainwaite, To Sir, With Love was one of the biggest moneyspinners of 1967 (with this film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night, Sidney Poitier had quite a year). In 1996, a belated made-for-TV sequel was produced, briefly reuniting To Sir with Love co-stars Sidney Poiter, Lulu and Judy Geason, none of whom looked a day older. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

19,375 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

24 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: James Clavell

Release Date: June 14, 1967

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DVD Release Date: February 1, 2000

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Stats: 955 reviews

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To Sir with Love To Sir, With Love Judy Geeson LULU Judy Geeson Judy Geeson Judy Geeson James Clavell LULU To Sir, With Love
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Flixster Reviews (955)

  • ajv2688
    December 11, 2010
    ajv2688
    It's interesting to see this movie after having seen Blackboard Jungle where Poitier plays the student, and now in this movie he's the teacher. The story is pretty good, but it's overly sentimental in the end if you ask me. It's an alright movie, though.
  • bottcorecords1
    February 22, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    Sidney Poitier can go over the top (in the grand tradition of live theater, see "A Raisin in the Sun") or he can give a subtle delivery, as he does here, in To Sir With Love. It's not a terribly revolutionary film, but it's not pretending to be. It's a simple, well-thought out ... read moretale of a teacher who comes to a rough, inner city school and attempts to reach the kids by relating to them as adults rather than children. It's certainly not easy, as the kids have their own prejudices, against blacks, against authority figures, and against adults in general. An engineer by profession, Poitier takes the teaching assignment as a means of making a living while looking for work in his chosen field. It's a job that's not likely to be in high demand anyway, teaching kids in a tough east end London school. His first day, he's greeted in the faculty lounge by one of his cynical co-workers, who tells him to let the little monsters wither on the vine, as education isn't necessary in their lives. He has other ideas though, and seeks a way in which to break through to the students. Much like Poitier's earlier effort, "Lilies of the Field", it's a subtle, understated, yet totally dominating performance he delivers. So many actors (of any color) would be unable to play this role without infusing it with a certain level of martyrdom, but Poitier plays his character not as a saint, but as an intelligent and controlled man. The film is a relaxed, slow-moving, character-driven story that's never dull. In fact, it's actually quite sweet and charming.
  • binky013
    January 4, 2009
    binky013
    Although the music may seem a bit dated, To Sir, with Love is not. A timeless tale about coming of age, and one of the best in the "How I stumbled into teaching" genre. Sidney Poitier is excellent as the supremely sensitive teacher of students who are in great need a se... read morensitive teacher.

    I was just watching a program that dealt with, among other things, teaching Nathaniel Hawthorne to today's generation. One thing I kept thinking is that you actually have to love a piece of literature in order to teach it. If you do not love it, your students surely never will. Good teachers are born, not made. No amount of education, no bag of tricks, can make a good teacher out of someone who is not passionate about teaching.

    Judy Geeson should have had a bigger career.
  • Redlats
    January 28, 2008
    Redlats
    I loved this movie when I saw it almost 40 years ago. Not too many movies you can remember for 40 years.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 3, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A wonderful movie. Each scene sparkles. You really see the teens going from unruly punks to responsible adults by the end. The Lulu theme song is awesome.
  • deano
    October 11, 2006
    deano
    Sidney Poitier does his finest performance as an out of work engineer who turns to teaching in London's tough East End.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 24, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    I love this film...
  • hypathio7
    June 13, 2008
    hypathio7
    The montage of the class field trip is psychedelic and kind of laughable today. However, I love the theme of the idealistic teacher trying to reach out to troubled kids. Poitier again gives a strong, intelligent performance. He can dance and have a good time to the beats of th... read moree British pop scene, but he doesn't feel the kids are hopeless. He encourages them to pay attention to what's going on around them, have respect for themselves and others, and take responsibility for their lives!
  • xxdebxx
    October 26, 2009
    xxdebxx
    Sidney Poitier is masterful as the titular character, Mark Thackeray, assigned to teach a classroom full of delinquent London teens. Mark comes up with a revolutionary method of teaching which he hopes can be used to bring about a change in the spoiled bunch of kids. The message ... read moreis obvious: regardless of race, creed, color, or even gender or social position, every person is deserving of the same level of respect.

    My favorite scene is when the actress Lulu sings the title song "To Sir, With Love!" and the most emotional scene is when Poitier realizes that it is his purpose in life to help kids transform into men and the scene where he tears up his appointment letter as a radio engineer sums up the message of the movie effectively.

    This movie may be dated and in all fairness, the sentiments and messages of the film may have been radical at the time but I say that the film perfectly reflects the culture, society, prejudices and morality of that era. It's touching to think that a teacher might care as deeply about his students as Poitier's character does in this film. ... I'll like to think that one person can affect many people by being persistent and patient and you don't even have to be rich or famous to do it.

    Simply magnificent!
  • donnarenee2006
    July 7, 2010
    donnarenee2006
    A wonderful movie! Sidney Poitier is endearing as the sensitive teacher that helps change the ways of thinking in his rebellious students in a 1960's London High School. Great song also by Lulu who sings the title "To Sir, With Love" Thumbs up! :)

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Critic Reviews

August 24, 2010
TIME Magazine

Even the weak moments are saved by Poitier, who invests his role with a subtle warmth. Full Review

Variety Staff
December 10, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Sidney Poitier stars in an excellent performance. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

A cozy, good-humored and unbelievable little tale. Full Review

Dave Kehr
June 24, 2002
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Well-meaning tripe. Full Review

Randy White
January 2, 2011
Randy White, Common Sense Media

Sydney Poitier at his best; teens and up. Full Review

August 24, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

One factor in the picture's popularity and its sustaining charm is the tuneful title song, which was a top hit for Lulu and is heard throughout the film. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Incessant Cockney street market vignettes and shots of London buses seem to suggest that it was all primarily intended for American consumption anyway. Full Review

Boo Allen
November 20, 2003
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

Sidney Poitier is a beleaguered English teacher in this multi-cultural Mr. Chips

Ken Hanke
September 11, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Generally effective comedy drama with standout performances.

May 24, 2003
Film4

The film has gone in and out of fashion, but it's old enough now to return to it with a clear eye, and see the strength beneath the kooky sentimentality. Full Review

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To Sir, With Love Trivia

  • "To Sir With Love" starring Sydney Poitier takes place in what country?  Answer »
  • he was a teacher at a east london school  Answer »
  • Name the actor who has appeared in The Blackboard Jungle, Buck and the Preacher, Defiant Ones, Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner, The Heat of the Night, and To Sir, With Love.  Answer »
  • Who is the main character in the 1967 film "To Sir, With Love?"  Answer »
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