Director
James Clavell

Cast
Sidney Poitier,
Judy Gleeson,
Lulu,
Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall


Music
Ron Grainer

Mark Thackery (Sidney Piotier) is the amateur high school teacher who lands himself in North Quay school in the dingy East End of London. His luck has run out looking for work as an engineer and decides to try his hand at teaching in the meantime. Reputable as the worst school in London with just as reputable delinquent children. Mark seems to be the unlucky one who lands the most disruptive and most disobedient class in the school for the last term. He is suspicious of how bad this job is when on his first day the other teachers try and persuade him to stay even before he’s seen the bad side.

Mark discovers that his students are intent on making his life hell. That is until he shows them that he can treat them like adults and they will cooperate. He takes them on outings and teaches them the basics to survive life when they leave school like cooking, personal hygiene and manners. The students come to appreciate him for his openness, honesty and yet still very stern. In fact he too becomes very attached to his students. Without revealing too much of the story line to those who haven’t seen the film……… Thackery basically end up as the pride of not only the students but also the other teachers in the school.

1^st prize goes to James Clavell for a fantastic cast headed up by Sidney Poitier, and backed up by Judy Gleeson, Lulu (the sixties pop mistress), Christian Roberts, and Suzy Kendall as the adoring female teacher.

Have to drop in the mention of Patricia Routledge also one of the teachers. For those of you with a passion for great British Comedy you would know her as Hyacinth Bucket. I got a huge surprise to see her so young.

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up?

VIDEO
Following up in the rear behind the great story line and great cast is an equally good Anamorphic Widescreen transfer. I don’t have great criticisms of the transfer but then it’s not reference quality either. For a 35-year-old film this transfer is great. Its a pleasure to see it 16x9 enhanced and the image is generally a little soft but constantly clear. There are the occasional grainy scenes and only slight dust marks. The original film does show some terrible scene cuts, which kind of caught my eye all the time. Colour is drab and lifeless but is reflective of the scenery and the age of the film once again. It is quite appropriate and a nice clear bright colour range would have seemed quite odd. There are only minimal instances of shimmering during the film.

AUDIO
The Dolby Digital mono audio track is a bit of a drop off however. Even a 2.0 surround track would have been nice. The mono track should have been worked on a little more as it consistently sounds like someone turned the concert hall effect on, on the processor. I found it very hollow and very difficult to listen too. As expected no use of the surrounds or base channels and the centre channel is very bland indeed.

EXTRAS
Extra’s are also a let down but then I have to wonder just how many extras one could dig up for this film so I won’t criticise too much here.
The Theatrical trailer also presented on mono is very reflective of the age of the film.
Then there is a basic filmography of Sidney Poitier, Judy Gleeson and James Clavell. Nice 16x9 menu however.

In all I actually highly recommend this film. It has a very realistic feel to it, which will keep you entertained, and I bet for those with a few years under their belt it’ll bring back some high school memories too..

Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Samsung DVD907 (via S-Video)
Receiver/Proc: Sansui A505/Sony Amp & Yamaha DSP-E390
Speakers:-
Fronts: Wharfdale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
Centre: Venturi
Rears: Sony bookshelf

- Reviewed 10th February 2000