To Sir, With Love

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3:17

To Sir, With Love

1967

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

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29 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) recently received his degree in engineering, but cannot find work. To make ends meet, he takes a job as a teacher in a rough London East End school populated mostly with troublemakers who were rejected from other schools for their behavior. While the students at first see Thackeray as just another teacher open for ridicule and bullying, his calm demeanor and desire to see them succeed gradually earn him their respect.

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Critics Consensus

While it's a bit dated and overly schmaltzy, To Sir, With Love remains compelling because of Sidney Poitier's outstanding performance -- and the catchy theme song is a classic.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It's dated, yes, but Poitier remains magnetic throughout.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 23, 2021

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Even the weak moments are saved by Poitier, who invests his role with a subtle warmth.

Aug 24, 2010

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Variety Staff

Variety

Sidney Poitier stars in an excellent performance.

Dec 10, 2008

Full Review

Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

The film collapses under the weight of its own niceties.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 28, 2018

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

It beat Dead Poets Society to the punch by over two decades.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 4, 2015

Full Review

Jess Lomas

Quickflix

Sentimental reflections on an inspirational teacher are often the makings of weak dishwater films, but in James Clavell's To Sir, with Love, a strong cast and an unforgettable title song make this an undeniable classic.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 28, 2014

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Fouad

I liked the forever concepts of life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/22

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Debra A

I have always loved this movie ever since I was young (my young teens) 70’s!!! I enjoyed the meaning, the respect that he taught them and demonstrated to them and earned from them (the students & staff)… To me it was a feel good… life lesson… learning/thinking movie!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/25

Full Review

John P

It’s the first version the Breakfast Club told in the 60’s classroom.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

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Steve D

Not really anything new but really good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Josette G

Seen many times, now on “Great! movies” Great film ! Performance, music, the East End ..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

Full Review

LacosteTK N

Awesome Film With a Timeless Story... With Sydney Poitier's Performance, Relatable Teenage Characters... I wish We Had More Run Time... Excellent Theme Song.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/24

Full Review

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James Clavell

Director

Sidney Poitier

Mark Thackeray

Judy Geeson

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To Sir, With Love: Trailer 1

3:17

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Synopsis

American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) recently received his degree in engineering, but cannot find work. To make ends meet, he takes a job as a teacher in a rough London East End school populated mostly with troublemakers who were rejected from other schools for their behavior. While the students at first see Thackeray as just another teacher open for ridicule and bullying, his calm demeanor and desire to see them succeed gradually earn him their respect.

Director: James Clavell
Producer: James Clavell
Screenwriter: E.R. Braithwaite, James Clavell
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 1967, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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