To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

90% Tomatometer 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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To Sir, With Love

To Sir, With Love

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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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Critics Reviews

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To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Kevin Maher Times (UK) It's dated, yes, but Poitier remains magnetic throughout. Rated: 4/5 Apr 23, 2021 Full Review To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (2) TIME Magazine Even the weak moments are saved by Poitier, who invests his role with a subtle warmth. Aug 24, 2010 Full Review To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Variety Staff Variety Sidney Poitier stars in an excellent performance. Dec 10, 2008 Full Review To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Nathanael Hood The Retro Set The film collapses under the weight of its own niceties. Rated: 6/10 Dec 28, 2018 Full Review To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Matt Brunson Creative Loafing It beat Dead Poets Society to the punch by over two decades. Rated: 3/4 Apr 4, 2015 Full Review To Sir, With Love | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fouad I liked the forever concepts of life. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/22 Full Review John P It’s the first version the Breakfast Club told in the 60’s classroom. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/24 Full Review Steve D Not really anything new but really good. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • 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 5/5 Stars • 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 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/24 Full Review Cathy J A wonderful classic. And I love the song. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

To Sir, With Love

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Cast & Crew

James Clavell Director Sidney Poitier Mark Thackeray Judy Geeson Pamela Dare Christian Roberts Denham Suzy Kendall Gillian Blanchard Lulu Barbara "Babs" Pegg
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To Sir, With Love

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To Sir, With Love

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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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