by John Farr
If you ever had a special teacher these films are for you.
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
WHAT IT’S ABOUT:
Told mainly in flashbacks, “Chips” traces the life of a beloved schoolmaster who serves over fifty years in an English public school. Reminiscing about his personal life and long career, the shy, unassuming Mr. Chipping (Robert Donat) also recalls his unexpected courtship and marriage to his stunning and spirited wife Katherine (Greer Garson).
WHY I LOVE IT:
A nostalgic paean to Old England and a deeply affecting story of honorable service, “Chips” succeeds admirably, mainly due to British actor Donat’s touching performance. Donat broke “Gone with the Wind”’s Academy Award sweep in 1939, stealing the Best Actor statuette from under Clark Gable’s nose. In addition, beautiful English ingénue Garson became an overnight star in the small but pivotal role of Chips’s enchanting wife. Though sentimental by today’s standards, this is a grand and moving classic for the ages.
To Sir, with Love (1967)
WHAT IT’S ABOUT:
In this triumphant urban drama, Sidney Poitier plays Mark Thackeray, a determined teacher out of his element in a tough London high school. Initially facing apathy and resistance from his students, Thackeray ditches the lesson plan and speaks directly to their inner characters, transforming his unruly charges into hopeful–and grateful–young people.
WHY I LOVE IT:
Made the same year as “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” James Clavell’s marvelous film-a huge hit in 1967-succeeds largely because of its lead actor. Shattering age-old stereotypes about race in all his roles, Sidney Poitier exuded nobility, strength, intelligence, and humility. Never with a chip on his shoulder, never self-pitying, he commands respect-Thackeray’s students call him “Sir”-showing anger only when provoked by others’ ignorance. “To Sir With Love” is a lasting testament to that impressive strength of character, and a demonstration of how it can be cultivated in others.
To Be and To Have (2002)
WHAT IT’S ABOUT:
Shot in a one-room schoolhouse in rural France, this documentary portrays the magical innocence of children and the loving dedication of one teacher, Georges Lopez. Set to retire after 35 years, Lopez instructs, engages, and inspires several grades of schoolchildren in the course of a school year, touching all their lives.
WHY I LOVE IT:
Any parents out there should quickly lay their hands on the sublime “To Be,” an intimate and heartwarming study of hands-on education in a tiny classroom. What would be a daunting task for most of us is, for Georges Lopez, the application of a natural gift to a highly rewarding purpose. Georges’s innate connection with the 12 children under his care is humbling, and the wistful expression on his face at the end of the school term will put tears in your eyes.
Another classic is Dead Poets Society - Robin Williams at his best.
Mr Holland’s Opus is a good one too. Starring Richard Dreyfuss.
How about “Good Morning, Miss Dove” with Jennifer Jones? Does anybody remember that one?
Another great and inspiring teacher from a movie has to be Morgan Freeman in “Lean On Me.”That Movie was truly inspiring.
The most unforgettable movie about a teacher I have ever seen is “The Browning Version.” That headmaster is played by Michael Redgrave. (Lynn and Vanessa’s father, the late Natasha Richardson’s grandfather.)
of those mentioned, admire most “browning”,and “lean”…also “poets”. “Holland” a bit less and I’ve never seen “dove”. almost certain it’s not on dvd.
In this category, Martin Ritt’s “Conrack” with a superb performance by Jon Voight is a standout, I think.
And I might’ve liked “The Corn is Green”, too, but I don’t care for Bette Davis’ mannered performance.
wish conrack was on dvd!
and agree about corn…
I love movies about teachers and students, but I have a perverse fascination with the “whacked-out” sub-genre in which the student definitely gets out-of-hand, like Loretta Young and Douglas Dick in “The Accused” and Esther Williams and John Saxon in “The Unguarded Moment”.
like “the blackboard jungle” or “up the down staircase”?
John, I like “The Blackboard Jungle”, too, but I don’t remember “Up The Down Staircase” too well.
just out on dvd as of a few months back, starring the late sandy dennis. well worth the time.
John, “Teachers We’ve Known” - that title would make a great series of boxed DVD sets, don’t you think?
There’s another sub-genre here - those films in which the teacher gets out-of-control, like Cate Blanchett and Andrew Simpson in “Notes on a Scandal” and David Morse and Ryan Gosling in “The Slaughter Rule”.
only saw “Scandal”, which I thought only fair.
will look into the other title…thanks!
John, I agree with you about “Notes On A Scandal” “The Slaughter Rule” is “no-budget”, but powerful.
Please note that the THIRTEEN editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness. No solicitations or advertisements will be allowed. Users may link to other Web sites relevant to discussion, but most often links to commercial Web sites will not be permitted.