Amazon.com essential video

Novelist James Clavell wrote, produced, and directed this 1967 British film (based on a novel by E.R. Braithwaite) about a rookie teacher who throws out stock lesson plans and really takes command of his unruly, adolescent students in a London school. Poitier is very good as a man struggling with the extent of his commitment to the job, and even more as a teacher whose commitment is to proffering life lessons instead of academics. The spirit of this movie can be found in such recent films as Dangerous Minds and Mr. Holland's Opus, but none is as moving as this one. Besides, the others don't have a title song performed by pop star Lulu. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Poitier Is Masterful
1967 was an incredible year for Sidney Poitier. He starred in three magnificent films, the Academy Award winning films, In The Heat Of the Night & Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and this superb movie. Mr. Poitier stars as Mark Thackery who is an engineer, but in need of a job accepts a teaching position at a tough West End school. His class is made up of unruly ruffians and at first they rebel against him. It becomes obvious to Thackery that these kids don't have an interest in learning normal academics and that none of them will pursue higher education so he decides to prepare them for live by giving them lessons on how to cope in the real world. He gives cooking lessons, make up lessons for the girls, takes them to museums and they develop a respect and love for each other. Judy Geeson is fabulous as Pamela Dare, a blond beauty who develops a crush on Thackery. Christian Roberts is Devin the leader of the group. He is a thug not use to rules and is constantly testing Thackery. Lulu is Babs Pegg and she does a credible acting job and supplies the film with its famous theme song. Michael Des Barres has a minor part as one of the students and he would go on to minor rock career and marry one of the most famous of all rock groupies Pamela Des Barres. Mr. Poitier is the glue that holds the film together and he is equally forceful and compassionate in his performance. To sir With Love is dated in some ways with regards to the fashions and slang language, but it's story is timeless

Flawlessly wonderful
This is my all-time favorite movie. The story is of a Black engineer, born in British Guyana and educated in California, who takes a job teaching at a high school in a depressed area of London. He has no teaching experience, and so develops his teaching style from his own experience. Gradually the relationship between the teacher (Poitier) and his students evolves from suspicion, to respect, to love. There is the obligatory romantic attraction between Poitier and one of his students, Judy Geeson. (Geeson, who plays this part with endearing and convincing sweetness, grew up to become the supercilious and insufferable across-the-hall neighbor from Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in the TV sitcom "Mad About You").

Everything is perfect in this movie. If you can watch the very last scene without tears, then you are stronger than I. In retrospect, I think this movie was one of the influences which caused me to become a teacher, 17 years after I first saw it. I hope it has done the same for some others, and that it will continue to do so in the future. See it!

Heartwarming Film
Poitier is a stunning actor.

This is a heartwarming film. This is a good feel-good movie for anyone who may be feeling down!

Jeffrey C. McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

One of Sidney Poitier's outstanding movies
This movie, based on E.R. Braithwaite's book, was one of the outstanding movies of Sidney Poitier. I am a sucker of such movies, especially as I can relate to them. I was in a difficult school during my teenage years with bad schoolmates and some good teachers set me straight, otherwise, I would have been in trouble. This movie inspired many other movies but did not do such a splendid job. The main difference was the script and the actors.

Sidney plays the part of Mark Thackerey who is an engineer who does not get a job as an engineer and decides to become a teacher as an intermediate job. In the East End school he sees how bad the standards of the students are and realizes that he is not making any difference. Finally one day he loses his cool, and then hits on an idea to change the students attitude. Gradually, the students warm up to him. Though some of the ideas might be dated (language, customs etc) for the present day, the ideas of racism, generation difference, teacher-student trust and problems are well brought out. This is still a timeless classic and for anyone who has worked with schools, teachers and problem students.

The DVD quality is excellent. Both video and sound transfer are good. Sidney is Sidney, what can I say, his quiet, dignified style of acting and the way he handles all the situations by showing his emotions is fantastic. The theme song of this movie is also special. Do not miss this movie.

A BEAUTIFUL FILM
"To Sir With Love" was a beautiful story about a black teacher, Sidney Poitier, who overcomes racial barriers to teach West London toughs and toughettes the meaning of life. It was, literally, banned in Alabama, which was ruled entirely by...the Democrat party. In 1967, Poitier again stirred the red-necks with "In the Heat of the Night", where he plays Virgil Tibbs, a competent Philadelphia cop stuck overnight in a Mississippi town. It must be 110 degrees at night. The white boys sweat like stuck pigs while Virgil is as cool as a cucumber in a Savoy Row suit. The sheriff, Rod Steiger, is discomfited by circumstances in which Tibbs is "lent" to him to solve a murder that happens to occur when he is there. In working together, layer after layer of characterization is stripped away in marvelous fashion, through the skill of director Norman Jewison (who tells everybody he is not a Jew, he is Methodist), until understanding between the two men become a metaphor for the healing of a divided America. Very good stuff.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Volume Three of a great series
Check out my review of the box set containing Volumes 1 through 4.

Apart from anything else, it includes episode listings for this and the other tapes.

My children love the Rifleman.
Could someone please tell us which episodes are contained in this volume ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Volume One of a great series
Check out my review of the box set containing Volumes 1 through 4 of this series.

Apart from anything else, it lists the episodes included on this and the other tapes.

My children love the Rifleman.
Could someone please tell us which episodes are contained in this volume ... Read more

Reviews (2)

THE RIFLEMAN VOLUME 4
VIDEO ANNOTATION The video includes five episodes: "Man From Salinas" starring Robert Culp, "The Vaqueros" starring Sammy Davis Jr., "The Deadly Image" and "Waste Parts One and Two" starring Vito Scotti and Enid Jaynes. Total Running time 140 minutes

The Rifle Man
There is no description on the volume? What are the episodes ... Read more

Amazon.com

James Clavell's heartfelt film of paradise found and lost in the midst of the bloody Thirty Years War, a senseless religious conflict long since degenerated into a rabble of looters preying on peasants, is a triumph of passion over style. Michael Caine stars as the Captain, a happily tolerant leader whose army of mercenaries, a mix of Protestants and Catholics, murders, pillages, and rapes side by side for whatever faction is paying more this month. Omar Sharif is Vogel, a lone refugee whose flight from the marauding band leads them all to a beautiful village in the mountains. The Captain and Vogel make an unlikely pair, the shrewd mercenary with the dream of peace, and the philosopher peasant hanging on to his own life in the face of certain death, and their alliance to preserve this Eden and her people stands in contrast to the soldiers who soon become splintered by greed, lust, and religious zealotry. Clavell isn't exactly subtle, but his sense of irony is biting: one Christian soldier is ready to lead an mob in righteous battle after a perceived blasphemer, and in the next scene attacks and rapes an innocent Christian maiden he's sworn to protect. The film falters in clumsy battle scenes and awkward dramatic staging, but Caine's complex characterization of the guarded Captain and Sharif's haunted performance keep the story alive, and the beautiful photography sets the film like a jewel into its setting. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Recommended visually stunning epic drama with good acting.
"The Last Valley" is a visually stunning film. Set during the 30 years war in Europe during the 17th century the film depicts the brutality of the era and the distasterous consequences of religious intolerance. Author James Clavell makes a brave and ambitous directorial debut. Michael Caine gives an outstanding but underplayed performance. I find the movie gets better with each viewing. A number of people I know are pleased they made the effort to watch it and the reaction is always the same - how come they'd never heard of it before? It is well worth seeing - an undiscovered gem.

We Killed God at Magdaberg.
The film directed by James Clavel and based on his book is a dark and brooding peace depicting the world savage and cruel of the thirty years war. Michael Caine plays the Captain the leader of a band of mercenaries who come across a valley free from the ravages of war, plague and pestilence. Omar Sherif plays Vogel a teacher and traveller who too has in adversity stumbled across a promised land. The story that follows is a study of politics, love, war and religious dogma. Caine gives an excellent performance as a realist who understands only too well the nature of the latter, though finding solace and mutual education with the teacher Vogal. The films closing battle scenes could have been taken from a period woodcut of the time apocalyptic and hellish in there vision, the film stands today as worthy example of expressive rather than decorative historical drama.

Omar Sharif
Great movie. Well worth viewing. The theme reminds me of other movies and of course, reality. I was glad the priest got it, though it should have been before Erica. It's like all of mankind can never learn from its mistakes, we're only doomed to repeat them over and over, all in the name of a god.

Surprisingly Good
Another little known sword and battle picture, gets the DVD makeover and will no doubt ride in on the shirt tails of new releases like Troy. Don't be put off however, this is a very good and polished piece of filmaking, which deals (quite graphically for the year of production) with the savage and often futile 30 years War that raged across 17th Century Europe. This is not a typical story though, and interestingly deals with an uncomfortable but workable peace pact between, Michael Caine as the warring Captain (and mercenary army) and Omar Sharif as a local peasant. As this wafer thin respite gradually succumbs to the vagaries of the marauding soldiers, the story kicks up a notch with some good action sequences and thought provoking scenarios. Caine is superb throughout, and is something of an island of drama amidst what would otherwise be a plodding script, despite the pedigree of writer James Clavell (of Shogun fame). Overall a good solid war style movies that is more than a little different. Enjoy

Good Story Comes Short
James Clavell (author of Shogun)wrote this story specifically for this movie. The Thirty Years War presents a unique setting for a movie and showing how religious fanaticism with political ruthlessness brings out the worst in people. The Thirty Years War is by far one of the bleakest conflicts to have touched Europe prior to the world wars of the 20th Century. The war brought utter misery and devastation across a vast stretch of Europe during the early 17th Century; mostly fought by mercenaries who had about as much religious ethos as their petty patron kings.

The story follows the story of Vogel (Sharif), a scholar who flees the horrors of the war and comes upon a secluded and pristine valley untouched by the war and populated by Catholics. At the same time, a band of mercenaries led by their captain (Caine) fighting for the Protestants arrive at the same time wrek havoc. With blood about to spill and his life at risk, Vogel acts as an intermediary and is soon appreciated by the Machiavellic captain who sees the valley as a valuable base of operation. The pristine beauty and prosperity of the valley acts as a sharp contrast to the outside world wrought with pestilence and war. The mercenaries decide to an uneasy truce with the villagers to hold out for the oncoming winter. Tempers boil and rivalries begin to flare in all sectors.

Great plot development but the casting of Sharif as a German scholar leaves much to be desired. Caine plays his role quite well as the Captain and even keeps up a good German accent. The script could have been a little more refined. The music seemed more like it was made for a T.V. show as opposed to a feature film. The special effects and props were also rather poor and seemed more like something for the stage. Worth watching at least once but I personally regret having purchased it: it makes a better rental. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Volume One of a great series
Check out my review of the box set containing Volumes 1 through 4 of this series.

Apart from anything else, it contains the episode listings for this and the other tapes.

My children love the Rifleman.
Could someone please tell us which episodes are contained in this video ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rifleman Vol 9
The chemistry between Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford is what makes this superb series so special. Good old fashioned values that Lucas teaches Mark in each episode. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rifleman Vol 12
Great television series, each episode is action packed and of a high standard. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Recommended visually stunning epic drama with good acting.
"The Last Valley" is a visually stunning film. Set during the 30 years war in Europe during the 17th century the film depicts the brutality of the era and the distasterous consequences of religious intolerance. Author James Clavell makes a brave and ambitous directorial debut. Michael Caine gives an outstanding but underplayed performance. I find the movie gets better with each viewing. A number of people I know are pleased they made the effort to watch it and the reaction is always the same - how come they'd never heard of it before? It is well worth seeing - an undiscovered gem.

We Killed God at Magdaberg.
The film directed by James Clavel and based on his book is a dark and brooding peace depicting the world savage and cruel of the thirty years war. Michael Caine plays the Captain the leader of a band of mercenaries who come across a valley free from the ravages of war, plague and pestilence. Omar Sherif plays Vogel a teacher and traveller who too has in adversity stumbled across a promised land. The story that follows is a study of politics, love, war and religious dogma. Caine gives an excellent performance as a realist who understands only too well the nature of the latter, though finding solace and mutual education with the teacher Vogal. The films closing battle scenes could have been taken from a period woodcut of the time apocalyptic and hellish in there vision, the film stands today as worthy example of expressive rather than decorative historical drama.

Omar Sharif
Great movie. Well worth viewing. The theme reminds me of other movies and of course, reality. I was glad the priest got it, though it should have been before Erica. It's like all of mankind can never learn from its mistakes, we're only doomed to repeat them over and over, all in the name of a god.

Surprisingly Good
Another little known sword and battle picture, gets the DVD makeover and will no doubt ride in on the shirt tails of new releases like Troy. Don't be put off however, this is a very good and polished piece of filmaking, which deals (quite graphically for the year of production) with the savage and often futile 30 years War that raged across 17th Century Europe. This is not a typical story though, and interestingly deals with an uncomfortable but workable peace pact between, Michael Caine as the warring Captain (and mercenary army) and Omar Sharif as a local peasant. As this wafer thin respite gradually succumbs to the vagaries of the marauding soldiers, the story kicks up a notch with some good action sequences and thought provoking scenarios. Caine is superb throughout, and is something of an island of drama amidst what would otherwise be a plodding script, despite the pedigree of writer James Clavell (of Shogun fame). Overall a good solid war style movies that is more than a little different. Enjoy

Good Story Comes Short
James Clavell (author of Shogun)wrote this story specifically for this movie. The Thirty Years War presents a unique setting for a movie and showing how religious fanaticism with political ruthlessness brings out the worst in people. The Thirty Years War is by far one of the bleakest conflicts to have touched Europe prior to the world wars of the 20th Century. The war brought utter misery and devastation across a vast stretch of Europe during the early 17th Century; mostly fought by mercenaries who had about as much religious ethos as their petty patron kings.

The story follows the story of Vogel (Sharif), a scholar who flees the horrors of the war and comes upon a secluded and pristine valley untouched by the war and populated by Catholics. At the same time, a band of mercenaries led by their captain (Caine) fighting for the Protestants arrive at the same time wrek havoc. With blood about to spill and his life at risk, Vogel acts as an intermediary and is soon appreciated by the Machiavellic captain who sees the valley as a valuable base of operation. The pristine beauty and prosperity of the valley acts as a sharp contrast to the outside world wrought with pestilence and war. The mercenaries decide to an uneasy truce with the villagers to hold out for the oncoming winter. Tempers boil and rivalries begin to flare in all sectors.

Great plot development but the casting of Sharif as a German scholar leaves much to be desired. Caine plays his role quite well as the Captain and even keeps up a good German accent. The script could have been a little more refined. The music seemed more like it was made for a T.V. show as opposed to a feature film. The special effects and props were also rather poor and seemed more like something for the stage. Worth watching at least once but I personally regret having purchased it: it makes a better rental. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My children love the Rifleman.
We are curious about this video. What exactly does it contain ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rifleman Vol 10
Consistently high standard is maintained in this great series. Chemistry between Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford have made this show so appealing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rifleman Vol 11
They don't make tv series like this anymore. The chemistry between the main characters is what made this series so succcessful and appealing. ... Read more