Goodbye, Mr. Chips

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Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Released Jul 28, 1939

1h 54m

Drama

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81%

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21 Reviews

86%

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5,000+ Ratings

Young schoolteacher Charles Edward Chipping (Robert Donat) imposes strict discipline on his young charges at a Victorian-era English public school, becoming a fearsome presence on the campus grounds. But the love of spirited young suffragette Katherine Ellis (Greer Garson) brings the Latin instructor out of his shell and makes him a beloved campus institution into the 20th century and through the shattering violence of World War I. The film is based on the best-selling novel by James Hilton.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

The original inspirational-teacher story, and a beloved valentine to classical education, tradition, and the English public boarding schools of a bygone era.

Rated: A-

Mar 26, 2004

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Donat does a decent job (particularly with the transitions into different ages), but the script paints his persona as a caricature, not a well-developed, endearing mentor whose impact reverberates through the lives and accomplishments of his graduates.

Rated: 3/10

Jan 17, 2025

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Tony Sloman

Radio Times

This welcome, warm-hearted, humanitarian work was beautifully filmed in England by MGM and is a fine example of that great studio at its peak.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 22, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This earned Robert Donat the Oscar for Best Actor -- a significant victory considering his competition included Gone With the Wind’s Clark Gable, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’s James Stewart, and Wuthering Heights’ Laurence Olivier.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 18, 2023

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Christopher James

AwardsCircuit.com

The basic heart behind "Goodbye Mr. Chips" really resonates. We need teachers who care about their students and care about the institution of learning.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 15, 2019

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Robert Donat at the peak of his skills... as moving today as it was upon its premiere.

Rated: 8/10

May 24, 2009

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Russ G

Robert Donat is excellent portraying Chips through an arc of decades, and Miss Garson is lovely in her limited role. Never would have guessed that Paul Henreid had played the German colleague. Stories don't get any more British than this. It's a window into a world that time has passed by.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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Connor S

Splendidly done story of the impact that a teacher, in any sense of the word, can have on so many generations.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

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Leaburn O

A fairly dry and predictable piece that sentimentalises an old teacher who becomes an institution at a British public school. The character has one great romance and tragedy and that aside there's not much to see here. Made it into the BFI top 100 list. Bought on DVD as not on TV or streaming.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

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Mary R

Sometimes I watch old movies like this to make me feel good about myself. I feel like I deserve some kind of a medal for sitting through them. This one is a sheer joy every time I've seen it. I put down the book, the phone, everything. It is charming and heartwarming. Robert Donat gives a tour de force performance, and who doesn't love Greer GarsonGarson? You'll cry, cry, cry, and you'll love every minute of it. In any other year, it would have won the academy award. But this was 1939.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

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Georgan G

This plot is so juvenile that I can't believe people fell for it even in the era it appeared. Mr. Chips was so shy he could barely speak until the perfect woman came along who gave him confidence. I'm a crier if a plot touches my heart but this was too goofy.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

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Mark A

A classic. Robert Donat is wonderful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

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Sam Wood

Director

Robert Donat

Mr. Chips

Greer Garson

Katherine

Terry Kilburn

John Colley

John Mills

Peter Colley

Paul Henreid

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Synopsis

Young schoolteacher Charles Edward Chipping (Robert Donat) imposes strict discipline on his young charges at a Victorian-era English public school, becoming a fearsome presence on the campus grounds. But the love of spirited young suffragette Katherine Ellis (Greer Garson) brings the Latin instructor out of his shell and makes him a beloved campus institution into the 20th century and through the shattering violence of World War I. The film is based on the best-selling novel by James Hilton.

Director: Sam Wood
Producer: Victor Saville
Screenwriter: R.C. Sherriff, Claudine West, Eric Maschwitz
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2012
Runtime: 1h 54m

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