To Sir, With Love [Blu-ray]

In 1967, Sidney Poitier, perhaps our finest American actor at time, made three hit movies-In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and this one, To Sir With Love. Each of them struck a different chord while demonstrating repeatedly why Poitier reigned as the king of the movies. In this, Poitier plays an American expat, Mark Thackeray who has accepted a teaching position in a difficult and racially charged London East End high school. He is replacing a teacher who was driven out by the students he has been hired to teach. These teenage delinquents have no respect for him, for education in general or for themselves. The class is confrontational from the moment he enters and seems determined to add him to the list of teachers they beat down emotionally. While this movie feels a bit dated now as attitudes, language and relationships have evolved in movies and in life, there is still much to enjoy. As the hopeful determined teacher, Poitier presents a reserved demeanor as he attempts to teach the class the typical subjects. But the class is just as determined to ignore him and get on with their lives. It is the understated strength of Poitier whose calmness and passion signals he won't be so easily defeated. Poitier's performance is the glue of this movie, adding another riveting character to his incredible resume of unforgettable roles. What most people aren't aware of is this is the true story of E. R. Braithwaite who documented his teaching experience in the 1950s in a book by the same name. With that knowledge, you'll better appreciate the difficulties that Thackeray faces in trying to impact these young men and women soon to be turned out into the world. The title song was a big hit for the singer Lulu who has a role in this movie as well. Highly recommended.

To Sir, With Love is based on a 1959 autobiographical novel by E. R. Braithwaite (the book is considered not worth reading, but the film is excellent). The story takes place in the East End of London. Sidney Poitier is brilliant, as are the cast of young actors portraying students thrown away by the school system as incorrigibly delinquent and unintelligent. Poitier, as a new teacher, is frustrated by the students themselves, as well as by the apathetic bureaucracy in a ghetto high school. He tries the usual disciplinary techniques, but the students are too hostile and jaded to care. The other teachers ridicule his efforts and predict failure because the students have managed to run off their former teachers; likewise, they are determined to get rid of Poitier. When Poitier has a brainstorm and changes his tactics, the results--although not always smooth--are effective. In the end, Poitier refuses to give up. His insistence on the students seeing their own individual worth is illuminating and outcome is heart-warming. This is a tough, gritty portrayal of reality with a stellar ending--without being sentimental or formulaic. To Sir, With Love is a classic and a must-see. Judy Geeson's ("Pamela") acting career was launched and the film was Lulu's ("Babs") breakthrough into pop-stardom with her hauntingly poignant song, "To Sir, With Love". Highly recommended.

This is one of my favorite movies. I use to watch as a young girl with my mom and still continue to spend sometime with “Sir” and all the students at North Quay. Even during the dance, I must admit I too can get into moves...it takes you back! I recently did a Sidney Poitier movie day with To Sir, A Patch of Blue, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, In The Heat of the Night, and A Raisin in the Sun.

Sidney Poitier plays a teacher with raggedy students that no one wants to teach and everyone is afraid of EXCEPT Sidney!!! I wish every teacher in all of life where like Sir. He was magnificent. And those students came to respect and love him. Great movie. I cry every time.To Sir, With Love.

I so still remember when I first had the opportunity to watch this movie when I was much younger. It's a black & white movie but that doesn't take away from the wonderful aspects of this great Sidney Poitier movie!It's about his time living in England with a high school teacher's job. Unfortunately his all white teenage student body did not understand or appreciate what he was trying to teach them all, not only in the subjects of his teachings but also how to behave like the adults they all were becoming to be. How to act respectfully & also treating others with respect including Sidney as their teacher. He began by calling his students as Miss before their names along with Mr before his male students. He would continue to do that as long as the students called him Sir. He took them all to museums of art and other cultures to learn from & did gain all of their respect. Sir would discover some of his students home difficulties & tried to assist them & their families. It's truly a wonderful movie about a time in the UK, I think some time in the 1960s!! I can definitely *highly* recommend that almost anyone will enjoy & love this movie! Especially if you are a fan of Sidney Poitier!I never got the opportunity to watch the movie on a big theater screen but I've seen it so many times on one of our satellite movie channels through the many years and I've never gotten tired of watching it!!

This is a sensitive exploration not only of differences between European educational standards, but also racial prejudices, although that's not the major focus. At its base, this demonstrates the value of good teaching, especially when it comes to what many in our society call "losers." It should encourage the notion that, in some cases, paying attention to the individual needs of disadvantaged students can salvage them. You'll love this movie.

There may be a 100 movies with the storyline of a teacher calming a unruley bunch of students but this is the best. A real tear jerker at the end unless you don't have a heart. :)

There's a fair bit one could say is “wrong” with this film – it's predictable, clichéd, dated, and not least of all the sixteen-year old school kids are played by actors and actresses who are in reality in their late 'teens or early twenties and look too old for their parts, but nevertheless “To Sir With Love” is still a bleedin' fantastic film.What an amazing cast – Scottish singer Lulu who plays the part of working class Londoner Barbara “Babs” Pegg, does with a very convincing London accent, and she also provides some of the music soundtrack of the film, other cast members include Judy Geeson, Adrienne Posta, Suzy Kendall, Geoffrey Bayldon, Patricia Routledge, Emmerdale's Christopher Chittell, and the star of the film, the very handsome Sidney Poitier, it has a solid if perhaps predictable story, that is told well, and it has some fantastic music.Since I first saw “To Sir With Love” decades ago now, I've always loved the film but hadn't seen it for many years, and I thought I might be taking a risk in watching it again as there might be the possibility that my appreciation of the film could have changed in a negative way – but not a chance! It still is bleedin' fantastic. The music, some of which I suppose sounds somewhat dated in the twenty-first century is still one of the major appeals of the film for me. The first scene as the opening credits roll and drums and a bass-line are heard before Lulu sings “Those schoolgirl days ….” is just brilliant, the music throughout the films is great and the film's title song is one of the most memorable songs that can be heard in a film ever.There are topics that are covered in the film that are just as relevant today as they were in the mid 'sixties – courtesy and respect for everyone else in society, aspirations for individuals, and rebellion (but channelled in the right way). I can only guess how a young cinema audience today would view “To Sir With Love” today, but given that I think the film still has relevance today, I would hope they would view it favourably.But for me, dated or not, and even with its imperfections it's still bleedin' brilliant!On the DVD (ASIN: B00004D37N) you get“To Sir With Love” (1 hour 41 minutes)Audio Options: Language: English, French, German, Italian, SpanishOptional Subtitles: English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, DanishScene SelectionExtra FeaturesU.S. Theatrical TrailerTalent Profiles (text only): Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, and director James Clavell

This is an iconic and classic British film from mid 1960s. It is dated to an extent but the film features winning performances from both the experienced members of the cast such as Sidney Poitier and Geoffrey Bayldon to the then newcomers such as Judy Geeson Christian Roberts and Lulu in her first ever film role. The performances are winning and mid sixties Londo life and values are brilliantly captured. This version features a digitally restored film which looks and sounds great and has 2 commentaries plus interviews with the cast and others associated with the film.

This is a review of the Blu ray presentation of To Sir With Love, region B/2. The disc loads quite quickly for a Blu ray disc, but sadly the screen menu offers very little. There are no extras bar a theatrical trailer, and no scene selection.Not much needs to be said about this film that other reviews haven't touched on. With the premise being of an unwitting communications engineer ( Sidney Poitier) turning teacher to bridge an unemployment gap. Here he meets a class of rebellious kids in an East London school unwilling to participate in society.The 1080p picture transfer is absolutely superb, giving the iconic scenes and imagery a fantastic pin sharp depth. Where the grain is visible on the film, it only adds a more atmospheric feel.For those who have not seen this film, never be afraid to give this true classic of 1967 a try.

As a stand-alone film, this is an enjoyable and heartwarming story. However, as in many cases, the film varies quite a bit from the book upon which it is based. Don’t get me wrong. I can thoroughly recommend this film, but if you’ve read E.R Braithwaite’s most excellent book, you will have a better understanding of the prejudice he had to fight in order to gain employment and how, by sheer moral courage, he overcame huge difficulties, and gained the respect and love of his Class. The story is every bit as relevant today as it was then.

I love this 60's film. this is a film about a school for very challenged kids. .Sidney Pottier plays the role as a black teacher. found himself in the slums of the East End of London. having to teach working class kids, who are from a very poor back ground and lack ambition. With diligence he transformed the kids. Lulu who was one of the pupil sang To Sir with love" in his honour. It takes you back in time. If like me a 60's child and love black & white films you will appreciate this film