Conrack

PG

Released Mar 27, 1974

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

69%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this uplifting drama based on the memoir "The Water is Wide," Pat Conroy (Jon Voight) accepts a teaching position on an isolated island in South Carolina. There he finds a class of black students who are not only illiterate, but also wanting for simple personal hygiene. Conroy contradicts the lax institutional standards and exposes his students to a wide range of topics, but those in power do not take kindly to his efforts to overturn their racist policies.

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ogn d

Jon Voight? pass ..........................

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As a teacher of inner city children for 30 years it was very moving movie to me. It showed specifically the importance of exposing students to knowledge and experiences that are foreign to them and a zest to learn and gain respect for themselves through the devotion of a dedicated teacher. The backdrop was simple but very poignant. The actors and actresses were well chosen for their roles and executed them perfectly.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The cliched story of an inspirational teacher whose unconventional style is misunderstood by his supervisors. In spite of his apparent success at encouraging poor black students to learn, the school superintendent wants something different, although it's not really clear what. Good performances by Voight and some of the young actors. Ungratifying ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

william k

Old-fashioned feel-good drama with a dubious white saviour message; Jon Voight's role, which he plays excellently, was obviously intended as Oscar bait.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just saw this again the other night thanks to TCM. My wife and I watched it together. Me for the third time and she for the first. She loved it and so did I (again) Just a wonderful period piece. The kids. John Voight, Paul Winfield and the entire cast were perfect. Highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Martin Ritt

Director

Jon Voight

Pat Conroy

Paul Winfield

Mad Billy

Hume Cronyn

Mr. Skeffington

Madge Sinclair

Mrs. Scott

Tina Andrews

Mary

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

It's a firsthand story, and Ritt and the Ravetches have kept the bloom on it, even with the addition of their secondhand touches.

Sep 21, 2023

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

The spirit behind Conrack is so relentlessly idealistic in tone and uplifting in intent that one feels vaguely guilty for not responding to the film generously and forgivingly.

Aug 27, 2013

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Few will totally resist the surefire appeal of this latest variation on Pygmalion mythology.

Jan 14, 2008

Full Review

Dick Lochte

Los Angeles Free Press

The film was about as out of sync and unnecessary as John Lennon's showtime repartee.

Dec 16, 2019

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Martin Ritt's movie is often sentimental and hectoring, ramming home the contrast between Voight's comfy, secure rebellion against the Vietnam War and the utter destitution and backwardness of his pupils.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 27, 2013

Full Review

TV Guide

As a former Group Theatre actor, [Ritt] understands the problems of actors and has been able to elicit outstanding performances from people one would not expect depth from.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 14, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this uplifting drama based on the memoir "The Water is Wide," Pat Conroy (Jon Voight) accepts a teaching position on an isolated island in South Carolina. There he finds a class of black students who are not only illiterate, but also wanting for simple personal hygiene. Conroy contradicts the lax institutional standards and exposes his students to a wide range of topics, but those in power do not take kindly to his efforts to overturn their racist policies.

Director: Martin Ritt
Screenwriter: Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 1974, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2019