A graduate engineer Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) can't find a job in his field of expertise so applies for a job as a teacher at an East End school in London. The school administration is virtually non-existent and the students a bunch of noisy and unruly teenagers completely out of control. Desperate for a job Mark accepts the position. His first confrontation with the students augurs a life of misery and disappointment for him. They are a disrespectful and cheeky lot who make snide remarks about the fact that he is black.
While the other teachers have given up all hope, Mark after careful thought decides on a new psychological approach believing that if he treats them like adults they may respond in a similar way. The main interest in this film is observing the slow but positive transformation of each of the students.
Sidney Poitier is at his finest as the teacher who grapples with the multitude of problems that each day brings. The characters in the schoolroom played by a young cast give great support as their cruel attitudes towards their teacher melt into respectful admiration.
There are two scenes in the film which are particularly moving. The first is the arrival of a letter indicating he has at last gained a new job as engineer and the second is the day he receives a present from the East End kids the product of broken homes in London.
This film is highly recommended for those contemplating school teaching as a career. Only a brave person could face a class like that, but if and when the class is tamed and brought to a respectful conclusion, what better reward than that? Highly recommended but tissues may be needed.
While the other teachers have given up all hope, Mark after careful thought decides on a new psychological approach believing that if he treats them like adults they may respond in a similar way. The main interest in this film is observing the slow but positive transformation of each of the students.
Sidney Poitier is at his finest as the teacher who grapples with the multitude of problems that each day brings. The characters in the schoolroom played by a young cast give great support as their cruel attitudes towards their teacher melt into respectful admiration.
There are two scenes in the film which are particularly moving. The first is the arrival of a letter indicating he has at last gained a new job as engineer and the second is the day he receives a present from the East End kids the product of broken homes in London.
This film is highly recommended for those contemplating school teaching as a career. Only a brave person could face a class like that, but if and when the class is tamed and brought to a respectful conclusion, what better reward than that? Highly recommended but tissues may be needed.