thirdlady

To Sir, with Love (1967)

this was a classic movie starring lulu and sydey potier I only saw it once and thought it was great.

what do you all think of it?

A.S.Carroll
"Happiness isn't sold in bottles you have to achieve it in your own lifetime!"

Carmel

Loved that movie too along with "spring and port wine" and "go for a take" and "Up the Junction"

April Dancer

My all time favourite film - not too challenging so you can curl up with it on a rainy Sunday and it's got a massive feel good factor.

The kids had comparatively little instruction during the making of this film - with the exception of Judy Geeson I don't think any of them had ever really acted before. They wore their own clothes, did their own hair and make up and were generally asked to put as much of themselves into the film as possible. They also had a great off screen relationship with Poitier, much like between Thackary and the students - he used to sit talking to them and 'educating' them between takes.

Both of these things make the film feel very real and, although by today's standards the students were pretty tame, it does seem to have an effect on anyone who sees it. Certainly it went down very well when I first saw it in English class in the '80's.

The only thing I can't bear about it is Lulu or that song.. eek!

Come along Horace, wave to the Turnips. You might get into Parliament...'

Carmel

I loved the song and still do

April Dancer

LOL I think it's just Lulu I can't bear to be honest! Please don't blush, each to her own!

Come along Horace, wave to the Turnips. You might get into Parliament...'

ChristineCB

This is a fine story, well-done and both Lulu and the studio was lucky to find such a quality film to stick her in. I've never seen TO SIR 2, which sounds awful but apparently retains the Portier magic.

April Dancer

TSWL2 is ok if you don't look on it as a sequel. The first 10 minutes are cute with a touching little reunion with Pamela.

The film itself is not bad but what I really didn't like is how they tried to draw parallels between the two. He befriends the 'clever' student, a blonde girl with issues at home. There is an end of year dance which she turns up to in a white dress, that sort of thing. It just felt very blatant and was unnecessary.

Aside from that it's not the worst fim I've ever seen.

Come along Horace, wave to the Turnips. You might get into Parliament...'

Carmel

I hated the 2nd film because he went to America to a rough school, why could they not have stayed in England with the 2nd film

Marky B

Radio 2 had a documentary on Friday nights,celebrating the 80th birthday of Sir Sidney Poitier. Apparently,the original author,ER Braithwaite,didn't like the film as it sanitised his story and he hated the sequel even more.
It was a good documentary - narrated by Barry Norman - with interviews from Sir Sid himself,Morgan Freeman and other notables from the great man's life.
Anything with Sir Sidney in,is always worth watching. .
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

April Dancer

Really? I have a feeling that wasn't the case when the film was actually made. I may be wrong though.

Hopefully, a colleague may get a chance to talk to Mr Braithwaite through work (on a completely different subject) but if they do, then I'll ask them to ask him about it. The book is very different from the film so I can understand if he isn't happy with it - it's just a shame as I really like the film! But then it isn't my story...

Come along Horace, wave to the Turnips. You might get into Parliament...'

ChristineCB

I read a quote from Poitier saying he grew more fond of the original film as the years passed, that he liked it originally but came to enjoy it and think of it more. That's why he was interested when he was approached with the sequel. I think he was sufficiently in-control of his career that he didn't need that one job, but I haven't found any comments from him about the sequel.

Which may say everything. Still, the first film is a favorite, as is the song.

stevie boy

A good little film,however, I prefer Spare the Rod.

batman

Neither of them IMHO can hold a candle to Carry on Teacher, which reminds me so much of my own schooldays.

Bats.

Jingle bells Batman smells ... I heard that at school Daddy.

BAT QUIZ 16 HAS JUST BEEN POSTED IN THE COMPETITION THREAD - 06/01/09

christoph404

Great film and great song! The best bit is when Poitier gets invited up to dance at the school ball, just when you are thinking "oh no this is going to be cringe making" Poitier gets up and gives it some really stylish moves and shows that he really can dance! Brilliant...

oxfam1uk

I haven't seen the whole of this film, actually, but I can confirm that Mr Braithwaite hated it ! I heard a Radio 4 documentary about the origin of his book, and he felt the film was a travesty of the facts.

As a matter of fact, his former colleagues at the school were none too pleased about his book ! They felt he implied that he was the only good and caring teacher in the school, which wasn't the case at all. Much of the humanity in the school came from the headteacher, apparently.