I love inspirational teacher films, and I think To Sir, with Love is the finest example of the genre. Sidney Poitier walks into a East End London class of disaffected teens and changes their habits, attitudes and prospects. This film spoke to me as I saw parallels with my own life and work I've done. For people who say this film is unrealistic I suggest they go and work in an inner- city school and they'll see how realistic this film really is. It also serves as time capsule for 60's Britain, from the fashions, to the dancing, to the attitudes. At the end, when the class present Poitier with the present and sing to him, I deft you not to cry. I defy you!

Although a little bit dated with some of the lessons Sidney Poitier teaches his students, To Sir, With Love is a feel-good film about a teacher dealing with a badly behaved class of pupils in East London. 

I disagree with the people that say the ‘kids’ were bad actors, I thought on the most part they were pretty good (okay maybe Lulu wasn’t but she’s the exception). 

Sidney Poitier is undeniably captivating in his role as the temporary teacher and his positive effect on his students is great to see. Even on a budget of less than a million dollars they managed to make a great movie, although the small budget is quite noticeable in certain parts. For example, why didn’t they actually show that school trip scene? It was very odd. 

Still a good film nonetheless.

*Introducing Lulu* was a massive strike against it. Otherwise pretty good with a fine perfomance by Sidney Poitier.

Rejected sequel ideas: You Got Sirred

Wow, I guess Glenn Ford had a real impact on Sidney Poitier after teaching him in Blackboard Jungle... so much so that he also took up teaching a group of difficult students twelve years later!

The dance scene in here is truly just the cutest thing. But also, Sidney Poitier's 1967? This, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? I feel like you'd be hard-pressed to find another actor who had that strong a year in their career.

sidney poitier awkwardly dancing AND making salad in the same movie?? poetic cinema

this walked so Glee could run

When a new teacher enters into an unruly classroom, he works out a way to settle the teens down, addressing their childish behaviour and informing them that they will need to join the adult world. He manages to teach them manners, skills and valuable experience to prepare them for the working world. A truly beautiful movie!

Sometimes we just need a little bit of sunshine, "To Sir, with Love" offers us something like that. I love how the story progresses, approaching sensible themes never explored before, with Sidney Poitier giving an unimaginable presence and value to this little movie. His influence on films of the 80s and even nowadays is visible and tangible. It's beautiful in every sense.

73/100
That boxing scene tho

I’ve watched this before but honestly have no recollection of what happened so I will watch it again soon

January FML Discord Scavenger Hunt #27 - Watch a film set in a school or about students or teachers

I am ashamed to admit it has taken me this long to watch this film. The production as a whole is solid as a rock, from script to what is presented on screen. The themes still ring true today, as one man does all he can to fight for someone or something that he cares deeply about. Brilliant performance from Poitier helps to get across just how much he wants to help these kids.

Watched this after Morrissey spoke about it in his autobiography. I loved this for what it was, and although it did feel very limited at times, in terms of how claustrophobic and dated it has become, I thought it was compelling and disparate to a lot of films I have seen. Although it did feel somewhat like Please Sir! But these kind of 60s films will always have a special place in my heart. Only plot line that i thighs was a bit shit was the backstory to the character Sydney Portier plays. So it goes.

oh this movie was so wonderful 🤍 i enjoyed every second of it and an so glad i finally got this off my watchlist! i recommend if you haven’t seen it yet!

Respect.

Sidney Poitier’s schoolroom leader teaches it, and earns it back, in a story about the impact of one good man on a pack of troubled students.

An immigrant to Britain, his character is supposed to be an engineer, but ends up accepting a temporary teaching position while waiting for a job offer to develop.

Once inside the classroom, he butts heads with rough ‘n rowdy locals, including Lulu, whose performance of the title track resulted in the best-selling single of ’67.

Is the movie a bit sappy?

Sure, but who says sentimental has to be a bad word?

I want a refund on my entire education bc I never got to take a life skills class with Sidney Poitier or call him “Sir”

“You can still eat good even if you’re broke” Sidney we need answers

I cringed during the awkward use of the word slut and the way some of the scenes are edited hasn't aged well. But this mostly holds up as the characters are still relatable today. And, of course, Sid gives an awesome performance. Cool to see him in a role reversal from Blackboard Jungle.

Classic