Click here to copy URL

The Blackboard Jungle

7.0

1,735

Ratings

Add to lists

Pro reviews

7

0

Links

Original title

The Blackboard Jungle

Year

1955

Running time

101 min.

Country

United States

Director

Richard Brooks

Screenwriter

Richard Brooks. Novel: Evan Hunter

Cast

Music

Scott Bradley, Charles Wolcott

Cinematography

Russell Harlan (B&W)

Producer

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Genre

Drama | Education. Schools & University

Movie Groups

Evan Hunter Adaptations

Synopsis

Richard Dadier earns a teaching assignment at a tough high school, where the teenagers make the rules and the staff meekly accept the fact that they've lost control. When Dadier tries exerting his authority, he receives much hostility from both students and faculty, culminating with his pregnant wife receiving anonymous letters with false accusations that he is romantically involved with another woman at school. In anger, Dadier hurls an accusation at Gregory Miller, a black youth whom he fears is against him. Miller doesn't deny the accusation. Instead he escalates the confrontation, but does that mean that he was the culprit?

Awards: 1955: 4 Nominations for Oscar: Art Direction B&W, Cinematography B&W, Editing, Screenplay

1955: Directors Guild of America (DGA): Nominated for Best Director

1955: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Nominated for Best Drama Screenplay

Show all

Critics' reviews

"Originating the genre of 'dedicated teacher reaches troubled kids in a ghetto school', this is still affecting although heavy-handed."

Kim Newman: Empire
"Consistently fun, and even sporadically powerful"

Mike Clark: USA Today
"Vic Morrow is excellent as the leader of a gang of thugs, as is Poitier in a star-making performance, though at age 31 he unfortunately doesn't convince as a high school student."

TV Guide
"Writer-director Richard Brooks had a flair for sensationalism, and his adaptation of Evan Hunter's novel is loads of fun as a consequence, but don't expect much analysis or insight."

Jonathan Rosenbaum: Chicago Reader
"Glenn Ford, Morrow and Poitier are so real in their performances under the probing direction by Brooks that the picture alternatingly has the viewer pleading, indignant and frightened before the conclusion."

Variety Staff: Variety
"Poitier’s acting is scalding hot. 'If The Blackboard Jungle' is worth anything, it’s for bearing witness to a major star in the making."

Jeremiah Kipp: Slant
"As a straight melodrama of juvenile violence this is a vivid and hair-raising film."

Bosley Crowther: The New York Times

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

User history

The Blackboard Jungle

1955

Richard Brooks

7.0

(1,735)