Remembering Sidney Poitier, who passed away today at the age of 94. His 1967 film To Sir, With Love is a prime example of Poitier’s poise and passion as an actor.
Serving as an inspiration to audiences, teachers, and of films to come, To Sir, with Love (1967) is a lesson in walking with grace, honor, and love, against the odds. With wisdom, firmness, and care, Mr. Thackeray teaches a group of kids from the London slums to do exactly that, while also dealing with racial tensions in his own life.
When Mark Thackeray arrives at a London East End school as the new teacher, he discovers the road ahead of him will be quite a challenge after taking one look at his wild class, and after talking with seasoned teachers who try to encourage him to stay before his task has even started. The journey ahead of him is filled with heart, and a real treasure for audiences to watch.
To Sir, With Love was directed by James Clavell, who also directed Shogun and The Great Escape, and was based on his adaptation of the novel by E.R. Braithwaite. It stars the impeccable Sidney Poitier. This is a must-see movie that I bought immediately after first renting it, because I knew I’d want to see it again and again.
The Oscar-winning actor, activist, director, and ambassador was born on February 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida, and passed away this morning, January 7, 2022. Poitier’s most notable films also include Porgy and Bess (1959), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Lilies of the Field (1963), A Patch of Blue (1965). Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), and In the Heat of the Night (1967).
