Customer Reviews

Conrack

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In his later career, director Martin Ritt was renowned for his realistic treatment of a slice of life. He achieved a glimmering one in this hidden gem adapted from author Pat Conroy's novel, "The Water Is Wide." Its movie version, retitled "Conrack," has the amazing Jon Voight in the real-life role of teacher that Conroy played for a year on a South Carolina island inhabited by mostly African-Americans living in absolutely poverty and ignorance, and virtually forgotten by the world outside. The illiterate children, unable to pronounce Conroy's name, can do no better than "Conrack," thus, the title. Realizing all too soon that he has the near insurmountable challenge of teaching what school administrators have dismissed as the unteachable, Conrack comes up with the strategy of teaching by applying knowledge to his childrens' everyday lives. His efforts, and the childrens' steadily emerging ability to learn, make for an assortment of human emotions, from frustration to out-and-out howling to the bittersweet of the childrens' recognition and acceptance of their lot in life. But while teaching and learning make progress, school administrators are less than impressed by Conrack's methods, and the film head toward the inevitable clash between teacher and school officials and the resolution, we are lead to conclude, is at the childrens' expense. As Conrack, Voight is both stirring and moving without being phony, and he convinces us that the teacher's only agenda is his pupils' betterment. But the child actors who make up the pupils are incredible! They actually make us believe we are listening to a socially and educationally decimated and totally forgotten other world. The film is all the more powerful with Conroy's novel read beforehand for background. Both the movie and book are a stellar acknowledgement of the perserverance of the human spirit and how much can be achieved in even the most forgotten of our brothers.

I grew up in Beaufort,S.C. Pat Conroy taught my older sisters English at Beaufort High before taking this position on the the island. "The island that time forgot" as it was known to us. The movie is a true depiction of how the inhabitants of the island were viewed. Educating them was nothing more than a unwanted mandate by the government. The movie was more enhanced by the casting of supporting characters than so closely resembled the real characters. Educating the black population was not a priority as I went thru the schools in that district. It is a sad but all too true to life dicpiction of the way education was carried out during that time period. Viewing this film, and having the truth screaming at you makes one aware of the injustices that lasted so long in the south and last still in some aspects of southern communities. Beaufort has always had very clear racial lines. Only in recent years with the influx of people from across this country relocating there are things starting to change. Change comes slow. This movie shows the desparatly needed changes that were too slow in occuring.
The island was later purchased and turned into a resort. Only then was a bridge erected to connect this island to the rest of the world. Many of the inhabitants moved the north side of the island or were relocated. Imagine having lived there, minimally educated, and then relocated in a society where you have no skills or knowledge of how to survive.

Wow, I'll write it again: wow. This movie was one of the finest films I've ever seen. Conrack is undoutedly one of the top ten films I've ever seen, based on script. It is the movie that no doubt begot films like Dead Poets Society. A hands down top ten inspirational film OF ALL TIME. That's right, this film is like one of those sweet smelling aromas you used to sniff right before your mother exclaimed, "DINNER!"

John Voight is extremely believable as a dream-big teacher in the late sixties. He takes a job on an island, becoming the only white man on the whole piece of land. He uses a number of unconventional methods to teach his otherwise completely uneducated class. Soon, though, as is the case with many of these type of films, the powers that be put their foot down and we witness....well, you'll just have to see.

This is a heart-warming, tear-jerking film that will make even the biggest macho men sniffle from a few tears. A true film for the fan on hidden gems. In the case of Conrack, this is purely movie magic.

As a kid growing up in the state of SC, when the film was released, my friends and family kept wondering who was going to become famous. The racist and segregated South was not entirely depicted in the movie. For the rest of America, believe me...it did't even touch the surface. Education and educational funding didn't exist for the segregated 'Black' schools in the lowcountry of South Carolina. For instance, the first time I ever knew about Chemistry or Chemistry labs was when I was a student at Clemson University. Yes, Clemson ! I was a trend setter, to say the least. Putting all the hatred and inhumanities aside, I love the low country and where I came from. There's nothing like crabbing on a early saturday morning along the marshes and black water rivers of the ACE basin and enjoying the fruits of your harvest (with a cold beverage of your choice, indeed!). The film, for me, summarized and gave the rest of the world a smidgen of life in the south as a descendent of former slaves. I LOVE 'Conrack' and I appreciate Pat Conroy. Pat Conroy IS "Good People", as we say in Dixie. So buy the movie, enjoy the movie...and then go visit the SC lowcountry barrier islands.

RKHenderson,
Islandton, SC (Moselle Swamp)
Clemson University, Class of '85

I'm a teacher in one the largest black-majority school systems in the country, and I can tell you that this film about a one room schoolhouse in a rural, black poverty area profiles the most effective teaching I've seen in movies of this type. It's not the typical inner-city high school setting with angry students acting out. The kids in this film are completely ignorant, yet respectful and adorable. They have not been taught at all until Pat Conroy comes along. Not only can't these children read, write or even count, but they have no vocabulary or knowledge about the world beyond their island. Conroy teaches the children a love of learning, and the fact that they CAN learn. Although his methods are not explained, I surmise that he knows that children will not read unless they're interested first in knowledge itself. They won't write until they have something to say. Conroy's techniques were unorthodox in 1969, and are not unlike the strategies of new-teacher-saves-urban-high school-kids-movies. He engages them with movement, demonstrations, nature hikes, music, a field trip to the white folk's town, and with discussions about history, geography, and most of all, the children's home lives. The movie is directed and acted in such a natural and authentic way, it seems like a documentary. "Conrack" is a moving and enlightening film.

I OWN THE VHS TAPE." THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT A YOUNG WHITE TEACHER SENT TO A TOWN OF VERY POOR CHILDREN. JOHN VOIT IS THE TEACHER,HE SEEKS TO GET ON THE KIDS GOOD SIDE,AND HELP THEM LEARN TO READ AND WRITE. THIS MOVIE IS A REAL SLEEPER. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DVD. A REAL SLEEPER OF A MOVIE. "5 STAR RATING".WHERE IS THE DVD?.

Having just received this video from Amazon.com,(after many years of searching), I am reminded of what a fantastic movie it was, and what a great impact it left upon me. Being able to share it with others now is a joy. Conrack's enthusiasm for life was contagious to his extremely sheltered students. The reality based conclusion,though emotionally disappointing, exemplified thetenacity of Conrack's core values. I loved this movie, because I laughed and cried. Jon Voight rocks!! This is one of my top ten all time favorite films.

Wow, I'll write it again: wow. This movie was one of the finest films I've ever seen. Conrack is undoutedly one of the top ten films I've ever seen, based on script. It is the movie that no doubt begot films like Dead Poets Society. A hands down top ten inspirational film OF ALL TIME. That's right, this film is like one of those sweet smelling aromas you used to sniff right before your mother exclaimed, "DINNER!"

John Voight is extremely believable as a dream-big teacher in the late sixties. He takes a job on an island, becoming the only white man on the whole piece of land. He uses a number of unconventional methods to teach his otherwise completely uneducated class. Soon, though, as is the case with many of these type of films, the powers that be put their foot down and we witness....well, you'll just have to see.

This is a heart-warming, tear-jerking film that will make even the biggest macho men sniffle from a few tears. A true film for the fan on hidden gems. In the case of Conrack, this is purely movie magic.

A film you may never have heard of, but really should see. Trust me. Based on the book "The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy this is a real 1970`s movie. It is about hope and love and equality. It is about the magic of learning and the power of teaching. It`s about all the things we are supposed, as a country, to have given up on and rushed, headlong into consumerism. If that is where you are, and you think anyone foolish that thinks otherwise, this is not the film for you. If you hold out hope for the human race, and see promise in the eyes of those who would be more than they are, and those who would see them achieve that goal, you will have a wonderous experience here. It is a celebration of those who would share knowledge, and the joy of those who discover the joy of learning. Jon Voight has never had a more powerful vehicle, and his fellow cast members make this a film once seen, never forgotten. In this story of a teacher reaching out to the most forgotten piece of society, you will find all the hope your heart may need. It ends sadly, but, that is part of the hurt of hope. And part of the nobility of it.

This story has such a wonderful message. The movie is acted so beautifully. It has so much sweetness, some laughs, and many special moments. Since I first saw this movie as a child, it has been my very favorite movie of all time. The sweetness he, as a teacher, shows his students, and the respect and love they return are so dear. The message of giving all children the best education possible, the most experiences to broaden their horizons, and even making education fun are still appropriate today.

He is a teacher on a very poor island in the south. His students have never been off the island. They have had very limited education and the principal of the school feels these kids won't amount to much. As the new teacher, he does all he can to make the kids feel they are all important, he makes learning fun, he tells them about the world off the island, and even takes them on field trips off the island.

I HIGHLY recommend this movie. I have seen it many times, and look forward to getting it on DVD so I can watch it again with a clear picture (my VHS tape is wearing out, I've watched it so much).

This is a great movie for the entire family. It opens up doors for great topics of conversation, including being yourself and standing up for what you belive in. You just can't go wrong with this movie!