Review of To Sir, with Love (1967) by Deb S — 26 Oct 2009

Sidney Poitier is masterful as the titular character, Mark Thackeray, assigned to teach a classroom full of delinquent London teens. Mark comes up with a revolutionary method of teaching which he hopes can be used to bring about a change in the spoiled bunch of kids. The message is obvious: regardless of race, creed, color, or even gender or social position, every person is deserving of the same level of respect.

My favorite scene is when the actress Lulu sings the title song "To Sir, With Love!" and the most emotional scene is when Poitier realizes that it is his purpose in life to help kids transform into men and the scene where he tears up his appointment letter as a radio engineer sums up the message of the movie effectively.

This movie may be dated and in all fairness, the sentiments and messages of the film may have been radical at the time but I say that the film perfectly reflects the culture, society, prejudices and morality of that era. It's touching to think that a teacher might care as deeply about his students as Poitier's character does in this film. ... I'll like to think that one person can affect many people by being persistent and patient and you don't even have to be rich or famous to do it.

Simply magnificent!