Rating: 
Summary: Strange Occurance on the DVD
Review: This has always been one of my all-time favorite movies! I could watch it anytime! Sidney Potier has also been one of my all-time favorite actors!! I think he's brilliant. I think every scene in this movie is great, but my favorite is where Judy Geeson's character dances with Sir. That's a great song in that scene!
My copy of this DVD also had the Japanese film on the 2nd side. How disappointing!!! I don't know how most people are about letterbox format, but I like it. I was looking forward to seeing this film in that format, but I couldn't. I returned the disc. I'm really hoping to find a correctly pressed copy of this disc.
Rating:
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL FILM
Review: "To Sir With Love" was a beautiful story about a black teacher, Sidney Poitier, who overcomes racial barriers to teach West London toughs and toughettes the meaning of life. It was, literally, banned in Alabama, which was ruled entirely by...the Democrat party. In 1967, Poitier again stirred the red-necks with "In the Heat of the Night", where he plays Virgil Tibbs, a competent Philadelphia cop stuck overnight in a Mississippi town. It must be 110 degrees at night. The white boys sweat like stuck pigs while Virgil is as cool as a cucumber in a Savoy Row suit. The sheriff, Rod Steiger, is discomfited by circumstances in which Tibbs is "lent" to him to solve a murder that happens to occur when he is there. In working together, layer after layer of characterization is stripped away in marvelous fashion, through the skill of director Norman Jewison (who tells everybody he is not a Jew, he is Methodist), until understanding between the two men become a metaphor for the healing of a divided America. Very good stuff.STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM
Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Classic
Review: "To Sir With Love" is a powerful and deeply affecting film. The story involves a young black professional (Sidney Poitier) who seeks work as a teacher in a low-income urban school in London in the '60's. He is at once conflicted with his personal desire for a more financially rewarding position in the professions and his frustration with his inability to "reach" his undisciplined and unmotivated students. He loses his temper one day as the result of a particularly disreputable act and challenges each student to respect themselves if they are ever to seek the respect of others. The understanding and chemistry that subsequently evolves between teacher and student is both poignant and unforgettable. The music, featuring the title song by Lulu, eloquently captures the tone and tenor of the story. The message in this film resonates today with the disrespect, dysfunction, and violence in many of our public schools. There is a timeless quality in the commanding but subtle plea for tolerance, respect, and personal accountability. The emotions and images the film evokes provide a rare but treasured moment of humanitarian artistry.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly Stunning...And Captivating!
Review: "To Sir With Love" is one of three Sidney Poitier cinematic masterpieces to grace the silver screen in 1967 (the other two being "In The Heat Of The Night" and "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"). In "TS,WL", Poitier plays his part well as a nice, warmhearted schoolteacher. When unable to secure a job as a civil engineer, Mark Thackeray (Poitier) agrees to accept a position at North Quay (pronounced like "key") Secondary School in London's tough East End. Mr. Thackeray quickly finds out he has his hands full with a bunch of hard to discipline teenagers at the outset. When he is unable to reach his students through conventional means of instruction with textbooks, Thackeray is forced to rely on utilizing a more simplified teaching strategy. He accomplishes this by arranging an outing to a local museum of classical art, and also by instructing his pupils in the basic culinary art of Home Economics. Thackeray's newly found confidence is somewhat shaken amongst his students after an incident in the school gymnasium involving one of his pupils, and it is at this point where many of Thackeray's students give him the cold shoulder treatment, with the exception of one Pamela Dare (played nicely by Judy Geeson), who seems to take to Thackeray like a fish to water. In the meantime, Mr. Thackeray applies for many civil engineering jobs via the mail with little success. Later on, when the students' teacher is greeted with a warm reception at the final school dance, it begs the question: should Thackeray stay or go, but not before receiving confirmation (also via the mail) that he's been offered a position with a top engineering firm. For the answer to this burning question, you'll just have to watch this dramatic display of fine acting to find out. Oh, and this film also features the fine vocal talents of Lulu, who is featured as one of Mr. Thackeray's students, as well as sings the movie's title song. The band who performs at the school dance is none other than "The Mindbenders", who were led by Wayne Fontana, and had a major hit with the song "The Game Of Love" before "TS,WL" was released. Make sure you include "To Sir, With Love" in your video library today, because acting of the highest caliber, such as this, only comes along once in a blue moon!
Rating:
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL FILM
Review: "To Sir With Love" was a beautiful story about a black teacher, Sidney Poitier, who overcomes racial barriers to teach West London toughs and toughettes the meaning of life. It was, literally, banned in Alabama, which was ruled entirely by...the Democrat party. In 1967, Poitier again stirred the red-necks with "In the Heat of the Night", where he plays Virgil Tibbs, a competent Philadelphia cop stuck overnight in a Mississippi town. It must be 110 degrees at night. The white boys sweat like stuck pigs while Virgil is as cool as a cucumber in a Savoy Row suit. The sheriff, Rod Steiger, is discomfited by circumstances in which Tibbs is "lent" to him to solve a murder that happens to occur when he is there. In working together, layer after layer of characterization is stripped away in marvelous fashion, through the skill of director Norman Jewison (who tells everybody he is not a Jew, he is Methodist), until understanding between the two men become a metaphor for the healing of a divided America. Very good stuff. STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM
Rating:
Summary: Poitier Is Masterful
Review: 1967 was an incredible year for Sidney Poitier. He starred in three magnificent films, the Academy Award winning films, In The Heat Of the Night & Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and this superb movie. Mr. Poitier stars as Mark Thackery who is an engineer, but in need of a job accepts a teaching position at a tough West End school. His class is made up of unruly ruffians and at first they rebel against him. It becomes obvious to Thackery that these kids don't have an interest in learning normal academics and that none of them will pursue higher education so he decides to prepare them for live by giving them lessons on how to cope in the real world. He gives cooking lessons, make up lessons for the girls, takes them to museums and they develop a respect and love for each other. Judy Geeson is fabulous as Pamela Dare, a blond beauty who develops a crush on Thackery. Christian Roberts is Devin the leader of the group. He is a thug not use to rules and is constantly testing Thackery. Lulu is Babs Pegg and she does a credible acting job and supplies the film with its famous theme song. Michael Des Barres has a minor part as one of the students and he would go on to minor rock career and marry one of the most famous of all rock groupies Pamela Des Barres. Mr. Poitier is the glue that holds the film together and he is equally forceful and compassionate in his performance. To sir With Love is dated in some ways with regards to the fashions and slang language, but it's story is timeless
Rating:
Summary: Poitier Is Masterful
Review: 1967 was an incredible year for Sidney Poitier. He starred in three magnificent films, the Academy Award winning films, In The Heat Of the Night & Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and this superb movie. Mr. Poitier stars as Mark Thackery who is an engineer, but in need of a job accepts a teaching position at a tough West End school. His class is made up of unruly ruffians and at first they rebel against him. It becomes obvious to Thackery that these kids don't have an interest in learning normal academics and that none of them will pursue higher education so he decides to prepare them for live by giving them lessons on how to cope in the real world. He gives cooking lessons, make up lessons for the girls, takes them to museums and they develop a respect and love for each other. Judy Geeson is fabulous as Pamela Dare, a blond beauty who develops a crush on Thackery. Christian Roberts is Devin the leader of the group. He is a thug not use to rules and is constantly testing Thackery. Lulu is Babs Pegg and she does a credible acting job and supplies the film with its famous theme song. Michael Des Barres has a minor part as one of the students and he would go on to minor rock career and marry one of the most famous of all rock groupies Pamela Des Barres. Mr. Poitier is the glue that holds the film together and he is equally forceful and compassionate in his performance. To sir With Love is dated in some ways with regards to the fashions and slang language, but it's story is timeless
Rating:
Summary: One for the kids.
Review: A 60's piece that is great even for young kids today to watch. DOn't know how anyone can not have a tightness in the throat when Lulu sings at the end.
Rating:
Summary: I love this movie...
Review: A friend introduced me to it many years ago. I never thanked him, but I watch this movie often. A very touching movie in many ways. An excellent example of Mr Poitier's (sp?) skills. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Model DVD
Review: A model DVD : a great film, great performances, both widescreen and fullscreen presentation, and a superb restoration job (seeing the washed out color of the trailers really points this up). A favorite that bears repeated viewing.
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