A film about a teacher in Africa

[Len2002]

We are trying to track down a film (not sure when it was made but it is fairly old). It is about a young man who goes off to teach in Africa and inspires the students by playing them classical music. He takes them to a concert which gets him sacked by the school board. The film ends with the playing of Beethoven's fifth on a wind up gramophone. Any help would be much appreciated.

[dylan]

Thorold Dickinson's Men of Two Worlds (1946)

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0038736

[aphra]

Len2002: We are trying to track down a film (not sure when it was made but it is fairly old). It is about a young man who goes off to teach in Africa and inspires the students by playing them classical music. He takes them to a concert which gets him sacked by the school board. The film ends with the playing of Beethoven's fifth on a wind up gramophone. Any help would be much appreciated.

I have a good VHS of MEN OF TWO WORLDS in PAL if you are still looking for it.

Aphra

[Len2002]

Thank you for your help, but I don't think this is the film we were thinking of (see below).

[Len2002]

I checked with my friend and he says he doesn't think it is the right film, I checked out some reviews on the internet and they say things like:

British doctors recruit an educated African to help spread the word about a tsetse fly epedemic. A.K.A. "Witch Doctor."

An aboriginal man is torn between the modern world in which he lives and the ancient culture in which he was brought up in this British drama. Kisenga (Robert Adams) is a musician and composer who has risen from his humble birth in a primitive African tribe to popular and critical success in Europe. However, when he learns that a conjurer, Magole (Orlando Martins), has put a dangerous spell on his tribe, he rushes home to offer help to his loved ones. Kisenga confronts Magole, who responds by placing a curse on Kisenga that will cause his death the next time the moon is full. Despite the education he received in Europe, Kisenga is still ruled by the superstitions of his tribespeople, and his new friends have a difficult time convincing him that his fears are groundless.

It sounds similar (because of the music) but I don't think it is the same film.

Any other ideas?

[Phil Bilzon]

This may help in your search. If I remember correctly, the lead role of the teacher was played by Jon Voight. I can't remeber much about the film except the last scene of the teacher sailing off and the children playing Beethovens 5th from the shore.

[SteNottingham22]

The film is Conrack [1974], and Len2002 is right, Jon Voight is the star.
It does feature Beethoven's 'Fifth Symphony', conducted by Leonard Bernstein and performed by
The New York Philharmonic. Other music is Korsakov's 'Flight Of The Bumblebee' performed by
Isaac Stern.

Conrack [1974] is an American film produced by 20th Century Fox. Directed by Martin Ritt.

The film itself is set on an illiterate island in the american deep south. Has anyone else
seen this film?, it sounds like an early 'Mosquito Coast'?

Moviegoods has some posters and lobby cards which can be enlarged, featuring scenes from the film:
http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_product.as...%5Fnss=19740073

It's never been released on VHS/DVD in the UK. But, Amazon US have a VHS selling for 30 dollars:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=video

[theuofc]

I loved "Conrack," which was a little known, small budget film but one of Voight's best roles other than "Coming Home." He's an unconventional teacher who doesn't want to just lecture at the kids who sit like stones in their seats expecting either a caning or a long, boring lecture. Voight gives them neither. He jumps in and gets the students to experience their lessons for the day, takes them on field trips, and infuses their lives with an energy and curiosity for learning lacking in their previous traditional and condescending White teachers.

A riveting moment is when Voight brings in a small record player, puts on a record, and plays the beginning of the great Beethoven's Fifth...dah, dah, dum...and then personifies the dramatic opening into the person of "Death" coming to get his next victim...talk about a riveted audience of kids. Wonderful film, wonderful message that finally honors creative teachers. Amen.

Barbara

[judylou]

I totally concur, it is definitely Conrack. One of the best films I have seen. Paul Cronin plays the bigoted school board person who won't cope with the children being brought out of their backwater. I think this post has been solved.

[francesgumm]

Originally Posted by judylou I totally concur, it is definitely Conrack. One of the best films I have seen. Paul Cronin plays the bigoted school board person who won't cope with the children being brought out of their backwater. I think this post has been solved.

I remember Paul Cronin in THE SULLIVANS. I loved that show, i had a crush on Stephen Tandy Another aussie show i remember is MOTHER AND SON but no one here seems to remember it very funny it was too. Does anybody remember it?

[batman]

Originally Posted by francesgumm I remember Paul Cronin in THE SULLIVANS. I loved that show, i had a crush on Stephen Tandy Another aussie show i remember is MOTHER AND SON but no one here seems to remember it very funny it was too. Does anybody remember it?

[francesgumm]

Originally Posted by batman

Thanks for the pics bats

[HIPPIEDAVE]

I remember the Sullivans.