To Sir, With Love (1967)

My Review

“To Sir, With Love” is a British drama film about an American engineer who cannot find work in his field, so he takes a job as a high school teacher in the East End of London, the rough part of town. He has trouble with the students at first, but wins them over with his calm demeanor, charm, and sense of humor. Director-screenwriter James Clavell did an excellent job putting together this movie with good production values, exceptional character development, and a superior storyline. It was adapted from the 1959 novel of the same name by E. R. Braithwaite.

Sidney Poitier heads the cast as new teacher Mark Thackeray. Poitier was at the height of his career, as this movie was released the same year as two of his other projects he is most known for: “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Co-stars include Patricia Routledge, Lulu (her film debut, singing the title song), Judy Gleeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, Faith Brook, Rita Webb, Fred Griffiths, and Ann Bell as Mrs. Dare. The watchable “To Sir, With Love” was a big hit at the box office for producer James Clavell and Columbia Pictures. A made-for-television movie sequel was released in 1996 called “To Sir, With Love II,” with Sidney reprising his starring role.