Pupils and Teachers in British Cinema

[twinrover]

Further to Chris B's mention, Spare the Rod was an atmospheric and quite violent [teachers more violent than the pupils!] film and received an X certificate in 1961. It is set in a secondary modern school [where, until the early 1970s, 60% of the population ended up if they failed the 11 plus exam] in the East End of London and is as gritty and realistic as you can get. Music by Laurie Johnson [of Avenger's theme fame]. Johnson even composed a Russ Conway type piano theme for a pub scene. Did anybody identify the railway viaduct with trains that overshadowed the school when this film was discussed in a previous thread? First saw this film on London Rediffusion ITV in 1965/6 when B movies from the early 60s were quite often shown in prime time in the 7.30 to 9pm slot. The "Media Studies types" currently running telly nowadays perceive these films as 'politically negative' and not being suitable for children so they are only shown at inconvenient times or not at all.

[aphra]

Originally Posted by James L Thanks, guys if any more spring to mind....

James Mason in Sidney Lumet's CHILD'S PLAY

[Steve Crook]

Black Narcissus has a few classroom scenes.
Hope and Glory has a few school and schoolroom scenes
Top of the Form (1953)
Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951) is all about the joys of school life


Steve

[Pye]

Walk a Crooked Path is a great little film actually, criminally neglected!

[dylan]

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) set in a Borstal Institution.

D

[penfold]

Two TV programmes to hunt out...Anton Lesser in 'Good at Games'....and the Ripping Yarns episode 'Tomkinson's Schooldays'....bear in mind the latter is a documentary.

[spinalman]

Originally Posted by James L I'm doing some research on representations of teacher-pupil relationships in British cinema and television - kickstarted by the recent films, The History Boys and Notes on a Scandal. Some obvious things spring to mind, such as To Sir with Love, Please Sir (groan), The Browning Version(s), and Gregory's Two Girls. However, if I'd be grateful if anyone can recall any other films and TV shows which have teacher-student relationships as either a main or secondary theme - particularly, as in the case of the recently release films, if they're a bit complicated or transgressive! Thanks in advance!

The Guinea Pig (1948) Richard Attenborough

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040407/

[Redstar]

What about the excellent Beiderbecke Tapes with James Bolam the jazz mad teacher.

[steereomono]

Kes (1969)

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Redstar What about the excellent Beiderbecke Tapes with James Bolam the jazz mad teacher.

And the equally excellent The Beiderbecke Affair and The Beiderbecke Connection. Also with the lovely Barbara Flynn

Steve

[bobsterkent]

There was the LWT television series called drummonds from the mid 1980's as well

[Stephen Jones]

Speaking as a teacher (25 years), I can't think of many school films or TV series that weren't a bit soapy. Kes was a good depiction of the grimmer end of school life, I suppose. I know that "Grange Hill" was very popular with a certain age- group and I have to say that "Waterloo Road" is quality suds. The main problem for me with the vast majority of school drama is the unrealistic portrayal of teachers. There are "characters," of course, but we could definitely do with a low-key, Ken Loachy approach that understands the creeping privatization and dumbing-down that is such a big feature of the job these days. Please Sir !

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Stephen Jones Speaking as a teacher (25 years), I can't think of many school films or TV series that weren't a bit soapy. Kes was a good depiction of the grimmer end of school life, I suppose. I know that "Grange Hill" was very popular with a certain age- group and I have to say that "Waterloo Road" is quality suds. The main problem for me with the vast majority of school drama is the unrealistic portrayal of teachers. There are "characters," of course, but we could definitely do with a low-key, Ken Loachy approach that understands the creeping privatization and dumbing-down that is such a big feature of the job these days. Please Sir !

What about the Beiderbecke trilogy with James Bolam & Barbara Flynn? They seemed to have a suitably cynical view of schools and teaching. Great drama as well with superb writing and perfect performances.

Steve

[kirstiemifsud]

fever pitch brit set in 80s
educating rita about ad ed again 80s styley
history boys a bit perverse about public schools i think is current setting?

if comparing to american film (yawn) dangerous minds is a good hood/ desperate teacher thing

hope that helps

k