From inspiring their students to be independent to overcoming systemic challenges, these films reveal how teachers can shape destinies, often in unexpected ways
Teachers are the backbone of society, who mould future generations. Their role often goes beyond textbooks and classrooms, resonating deeply within the fabric of people’s lives and collective histories. Cinema has long recognised the impact teachers have, often portraying them not just as conveyors of knowledge but as catalysts for change, personal growth, and social transformation. On Teachers’ Day (September 5), The Federal takes you through 10 Hollywood films that explore what it entails to be a teacher in modern times. These films illuminate the trials and triumphs of teachers who challenge norms, inspire minds, and redefine the boundaries of their influence. These films show how education is not just about imparting knowledge but about unlocking human potential, fostering independence, and sometimes, sowing the seeds of and stirring rebellion:
1. Dead Poets Society (1989): Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society is arguably one of the most iconic films about teachers. Set in the conservative atmosphere of a 1950s boys’ preparatory school, the film centres on John Keating, played by Robin Williams, an unconventional English teacher who encourages his students to embrace life with passion and seize the day. Keating’s teaching philosophy is revolutionary, as he urges his students to think independently and question authority. Through poetry, he unlocks their creativity, helping them discover their true selves. The film’s delicate handling of the conflict between traditional values and the desire for self-expression makes it a classic that focuses on critical thinking and individualism in education.
2. To Sir, with Love (1967): In James Clavell’s To Sir, with Love, Sidney Poitier stars as Mark Thackeray, an engineer who takes up teaching in a rough East End London school as a temporary job. The students, initially hostile and rebellious, are slowly won over by Thackeray’s unorthodox methods and his refusal to give up on them. He teaches them respect, responsibility, and how to navigate a world that often seems stacked against them. The film is an earnest depiction of a teacher's struggle to connect with his students and help them realise their potential, while also dealing with the racial prejudices of the time. Poitier’s performance makes Thackeray a memorable figure in the cinematic portrayal of teachers.
3. The Class (Entre les murs, 2008): Laurent Cantet’s The Class foregrounds the challenges faced by educators in a diverse, inner-city Parisian school. The film, based on François Bégaudeau’s semi-autobiographical novel, follows a year in the life of a French literature teacher and his students. Unlike many teacher-centres films that focus on the heroism of the educator, The Class underlines the complexity and often thankless nature of the teaching profession. The film’s cinéma vérité style brings an authenticity to the interactions between the teacher and his students, revealing the power dynamics, cultural clashes, and the small, yet significant victories that define the educational experience in a multicultural society.
4. Stand and Deliver (1988): Based on the true story of Jaime Escalante, Stand and Deliver is an inspiring tale of a dedicated math teacher who defies the odds to help his students succeed. Edward James Olmos stars as Escalante, a teacher in an East Los Angeles high school where the students, mostly from underprivileged backgrounds, are expected to fail. Escalante, however, sees potential in them that others do not, and through hard work, determination, and a no-nonsense approach, he prepares them to pass the AP Calculus exam. The film highlights the systemic barriers faced by minority students and the role that a committed teacher can play in overcoming them. It’s a film that shows how every student is capable of success in some way or another.
5. Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939): Sam Wood’s adaptation of James Hilton’s novel Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a sentimental and intriguing tale of a teacher’s lifelong impact on his students. The film chronicles the life of Mr. Chipping, affectionately known as Mr. Chips, an unassuming and shy schoolteacher at an English boys’ school. Over the years, he evolves from a timid instructor to a beloved institution, as he forms deep connections with his students and witnesses the changing tides of history. Robert Donat’s performance as Mr. Chips earned him an Academy Award, cementing the character’s place in the pantheon of great teachers onscreen.
6. Freedom Writers (2007): Freedom Writers, directed by Richard LaGravenese, is another memorable film based on a true story. Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, a novice teacher who takes on a challenging assignment at a racially divided high school in Los Angeles. Gruwell’s students are involved in gangs and have little interest in academics, but she slowly gains their trust by introducing them to literature that resonates with their experiences. By encouraging them to write their own stories, Gruwell helps her students find their voices and see the value in their own lives. She teaches these at-risk students, deemed incapable of learning, to learn tolerance. The film is a commentary on the intersection of race, poverty, and education, and it highlights the role of teachers as agents of change in the lives of their students.
7. Monsieur Lazhar (2011): Philippe Falardeau’s Monsieur Lazhar is a deeply moving exploration of loss, healing, and the quiet strength of teachers. The film tells the story of Bachir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant who becomes a substitute teacher at a Montreal elementary school after the previous teacher’s tragic death. Lazhar brings a calm and steady presence to the classroom, helping his students come to terms with their grief while dealing with his own personal sorrows. The film delicately handles themes of trauma, cultural displacement, and the often-overlooked emotional labour of teachers. Monsieur Lazhar demonstrates how educators play a role in providing not just academic instruction, but also emotional support and stability in times of crisis.
8. The Great Debaters (2007): Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters is a rousing drama that showcases the power of education to challenge societal injustices. Based on the true story of the Wiley College debate team, the film follows Melvin B. Tolson, played by Washington, as he leads a group of African-American students to victory against the national champions in debate during the Jim Crow era. Tolson is a demanding and inspiring teacher who pushes his students to excel, not just in academics but also in their understanding of the world around them. The film is a stirring depiction of the role teachers can play in empowering students to confront and overcome the barriers of racism and inequality.
9. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969): The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, directed by Ronald Neame, offers a complex portrait of a teacher who is as charismatic as she is controversial. Maggie Smith stars as Miss Jean Brodie, a teacher at a girls' school in 1930s Edinburgh who exerts a strong influence over her students, encouraging them to take to art, culture, and experience independence. However, her unorthodox methods and political sympathies lead to conflict with the school’s administration and eventually, tragedy. The film explores the fine line between inspiration and manipulation, and the potential dangers of a teacher’s unchecked influence. Maggie Smith’s scintillating performance earned her an Academy Award, and the film remains an interesting take on the responsibilities and limits of the teaching profession.
10. Half Nelson (2006): Ryan Fleck’s Half Nelson presents a more contemporary and gritty take on the teacher-student relationship. A charming-as-hell Ryan Gosling stars as Dan Dunne, a young history teacher in a Brooklyn middle school who struggles with drug addiction. Despite his personal demons, Dunne forms a bond with one of his students, Drey (Sheela Epps), who is facing her own challenges at home, after she discovers his secret. The film is a stark portrayal of the realities of urban education, where teachers are not always paragons of virtue but are still capable of making a difference in their students’ lives.
