Rent To Sir, with Love (1967)

Lessons in Regression - To Sir, with Love review by griggs

This is a film stranded between realism and sentiment, and the result is awkward rather than compelling. It aims for the grit of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner but ends up as a pale imitation. 1960s working-class London is used as a backdrop for poverty and disaffection, yet the film delivers only the appearance of insight — more staged than felt.

To Sir, with Love frustrates as much as it teaches. Sidney Poitier, dignified as ever, is boxed into a role that reduces him to a sermonising figure, reciting moral lessons instead of engaging with the classroom. The film postures as socially aware, but its gender politics give the game away: girls are rewarded for preparing for marriage, while others are casually branded “sluts” whilst being given lessons on how to apply make-up.

The good intentions are obvious, but the execution is heavy-handed. What could have been a bold challenge to its era is instead clumsy and regressive, a film more dated than daring.

Great British 60s Social Drama - To Sir, with Love review by GI

Surprisingly a huge hit in the US no doubt due to the draw of Sidney Poitier who stars as Mark Thackeray. He's a newly qualified engineer but unable to find a job in his chosen career he takes up a position as a teacher in a rundown East End school inhabited by unruly and under privileged teenagers. Finding it impossible to engage his class in the normal subjects he comes up with a bold plan of treating them as adults and teaching them life skills. Considered a quite risqué film at the time of its release it may seem quite dated today with its relatively tame swearing and themes of sexual awakening. It is however a wonderful film about the eroding state of education in Britain and the loss of opportunities for young people. The film tries to highlight the young persons's love of pop music, and even pop star Lulu has a role and sings the title song. But this is Poitier's film showcasing his ability. He plays a convincing London teacher here and when you consider his other big roles he is such a capable and intriguing actor and one to really admire. Interestingly, whilst there are some minor approaches to racism, obviously widespread in 60s Britain, it's hardly touched upon in the film. There's a host of familiar actors including Judy Gleeson, Suzy Kendall and a first film role for Patricia Routledge. A key British film of the 1960s and worth seeking out if you've never seen it.