To Sir, with Love
Dir: James Clavell
1967
***
To Sir, with Love is based on a true story from the autobiographical novel by E.R. Braithwaite. While the core of the story is adapted well, the film is somewhat spoiled by the film making styles of the time. The acting is sub-standard and as much as I liked the accompanying song, it soon got in the way and was overused (unruly kids one minute, singing to their teacher the next?). That aside, I'm sure many aspects of the rough central London school rang true, particularly in attitude. The film's real strength comes from the debonair performance by Sidney Poitier, heightened maybe thanks to being surrounded by younger and less experienced actors but there is a resonance in his very presence that demands the viewers full attention. I also liked seeing a bit of old London, the apartment my Brother-in-law's Dad now lives in that used to be a sugar mill in particular. Dated, with a few glaring cracks but original and still relevant in many respects.