Blackboard Jungle (Richard Brooks, 1955): USA

Reviewed by Kelvin Matthews. Viewed on DVD.

One of the most rewarding films I have ever seen is the classic Hollywood film Blackboard Jungle staring Glenn Ford and Sydney Poitier, and directed by Richard Brooks. This film was originally released in the United States by Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) on March 19, 1955, and made its North American DVD debut on May 10, 2005.  This helped to revive an interest in a film that was revolutionary in its day because of its social commentary, and the superb acting of Hollywood legends Glenn Ford and Sydney Poitier.

The film is based on the 1954 novel “Blackboard Jungle” by crime fiction writer Evan Hunter. The film is set at a New York City school in the inner city to which a new teacher, Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford), has just been assigned. His new pupils, who are led by Gregory Miller (Sidney Poitier), engage in uncontrollable antisocial and juvenile delinquent behavior. While most of the other teachers seem to have given up on the pupils of North Manual High, Dadier see’s these students’ plight as a challenge, and sees it as his mission to change them. In the process, he challenges the teachers, administration and the students, resulting in threats against him and his family.

This film is as relevant today as it was at its release in 1955, as it addresses a plight that is still too often seen in inner cities and public school systems all across America today. The film “Blackboard Jungle” seemed to touch on every aspect of human nature and emotions and showed the plight and life of those in the inner city that few people outside of the inner city were aware of or wanted to face at that time. With a blasting soundtrack that includes such hits as Bill Haley and His Comets song “Rock Around the Clock,” this film is credited with sparking the Rock and Roll revolution, making it a cultural phenomenon that we enjoy and treasure to this day. But outside of that, this film helped to establish a new narrative in film, where social issues and commentary could be seen on screen and spark debate and change.

Through the use of direction and especially the use of close-ups and black and white film, this film in some ways reminded me of the films of noir; the use of color and shadows added to the bleakness and sense of loss and desperation that is reflected in the storyline of “Blackboard Jungle,” and that can clearly be seen on the characters of Gregory Miller (Sidney Poitier) and Artie West (Vic Morrow). Through the superb acting of Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier, Evan Hunter’s novel was brilliantly brought to life.  And through the masterful direction and beautiful black and white cinematography of Russell Harlan, ASC this film set the standard in social commentary and dramatic filmmaking.

Although this film is the original and its acting and superb storyline make it a film that should not be missed, and it has been honored by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest movies in American Film history, this film formed the basis for a new genre of films based on an idealistic teacher and cynical, sometimes delinquent teens that can be seen in such films as another Sidney Poitier film “To Sir With Love” and Robin Williams “The Dead Poets Society.” Still, I feel “Blackboard Jungle” is the best.