Leofwine_draca TO SIR, WITH LOVE is a fine little film which provides a neat snapshot of secondary school life in the late 1960s. It's one of those films which has a fairly simplistic storyline, but don't be fooled by the deceptive simplicity: this is actually a movie of great depth, exploring racial tensions, student/teacher romance, childhood vs. adulthood, and much more besides. It's easy to overlook these undercurrents given how subtly they're portrayed, but combine them together and you have a quite wonderful movie.Much of this film's success comes from the central casting Sidney Poitier, which must have been an unusual decision back in the day. Poitier makes the film his own and gives the movie a sentimental heart, although his emotions are hidden for the most part. His acting reminds me of the likes of Japanese actors such as Toshiro Mifune, displaying a stony face on the outset while putting across hints at the feelings bubbling beneath.Elsewhere, we get fun scene-setting in the form of '60s music and dance, enhanced by the presence of pop starlet Lulu. Judy Geeson is completely believable as the besotted student, and there are many familiar faces who would go on to future success (Patricia Routledge, Geoffrey Bayldon, Chris Chittell, Suzy Kendall). Although this is very much a feel-good film with scenes of sentimentality, its depiction of a realistic social milieu makes it uplifting without being sickly.

atlasmb 1967 Was Sidney Poitier's annus mirabilis. He starred in three remarkable films: "In the Heat of the Night", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", and this wonderful film, which became an unexpected hit based upon his popularity."To Sir, with Love" was released years after "Blackboard Jungle" and, though it falls within the same genre as various other films about teachers inspiring "hopeless" students, it is different from many of them due to Poitier's gentle demeanor. "Stand and Deliver" is similar in that way.There are many thankless teaching jobs and it is always inspiring to see a film that shows what a dedicated and caring teacher can accomplish. Mark Thackeray (Poitier) starts as a teaching neophyte whose plans are to get out of teaching as soon as he can locate an engineering job. After some misfires, he finds that he has some natural teaching talents.The music is current to 1967 as are the dancing styles. The film is shot on location in London's East End, lending authenticity. The other actors, especially the kids, do a great job. With an economy of film and story, TSWL takes the viewer on an enjoyable journey as the students learn lessons about life. Montage is used judiciously and effectively in two instances. I saw this film when it was released. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it still.

jc-osms There are so any things which date this film, you could lose count. Its outlook towards the generation gap, racism, sexism, music and more really do seem preserved in mid-60's aspic and while it has some vintage charm, it has many more embarrassing aspects of almost look-away gaucheness.In its favour are the exterior London locations, I suppose the feel-good nature of the plot and a mostly watchable star performance by Sidney Poitier as the "Sir" of the title. Supposedly the new teacher at a school for difficult near-adult pupils you too will be amazed at how he tames his class of young hooligans just by throwing away their text books and talking about life.Elsewhere clichés abound, from Poitier's encounters with the class rebel, who he eventually teaches a lesson in the boxing ring and the class beauty who eventually forms a crush on him, to the unconventional way he gives out lessons. Occasionally the film tries to grow up with some adult-banter on the bus at Poitier's expense or the strange ritual burning of a sanitary towel in class, but with its largely teenage cast and references to contemporary pop-culture, it seems definitely aimed at the younger movie-goer.Poitier is good right up until he does his silly one-on-one dance with the adoring Julie Christie lookalike Sally Geeson and you feel more could have been made of his relationship with Suzy Kendall as his white, female colleague who offers him support. The young cast of class pupils occasionally turn to wood but a very young Lulu does quite well in concealing her broad Scottish accent and singing the hit title tune.The direction tries to be hip too, never more so than with the photo-montage of the class trip to a museum, but the editing isn't always clear and you suspect many of the scenes are watered down for the benefit of the censor.Still it was nice to jump into my 60's time-machine and watch a reasonably entertaining film from that era

Vihren Mitev Why I am rising so high rating to such movie that was shot mostly in a room and with a very low budget? I answer to that in general and make it clean in detail.Because it is a wonderful example about how with very little you can achieve a lot. One good teacher can teach his skills to the students of a class, and a good movie - to show them to the hundreds of viewers. On the other hand, one small review of this movie can continue the effect.To be a gentleman, a lady or a sir much is needed. There is not impossible to gain this system of values that make possible the modus of this highly development of the personality.Not to be a slave of the system but its creator. Always to know in what position you are put and what you can allow to yourself to do. Wherever you are, even if you know that you are called upon something much more, to give everything in order to achieve the most good results. To reveal your potential to its limits and not being egoist or egotist. To leave the material in favor of the spiritual!http://vihrenmitevmovies.blogspot.com/