Product Details

• Actors: Sandy Dennis, Patrick Bedford, Eileen Heckart, Ruth White, Jean Stapleton
• Directors: Robert Mulligan
• Writers: Bel Kaufman, Tad Mosel
• Producers: Alan J. Pakula
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: August 10, 1994
• Run Time: 124 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630315087X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,655 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up the Down Staircase, January 12, 2002

By 

Ricky N. "Ricky C. Nelson" (Commerce, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Up the Down Staircase [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Up the Down Staircase" is a wonderful film. It portrays Coolidge High School in New York City, and an idealistic teacher who discovers the harsh realities found in the urban schools in America. Even though it was made in 1967, it still holds true 35 years later. It is a story of courage and triumph. The star is Sandy Dennis, a superb actress whose performance is flawless as the teacher. It also features Eileen Heckart, Ruth White, Jean Stapleton, and Sorrell Booke. This film is a classic masterpeice, and is highly recommended.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, highly recommended film!, August 7, 1999

By 

Jennifer E. Williams (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Up the Down Staircase [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I watched this film for the very first time today and it is incredible. Sandy Dennis was brilliant as a young, idealistic school teacher who is slowly worn down, and ultimately rejuvenated, by her experiences working at an inner-city school. The film has disturbing scenes, happy scenes, sad scenes, and even some funny scenes. Most of all this film is real...it touches your heart and, to anyone who has ever been a teacher or attended a public school, the experiences Sandy Dennis's character has with the school nurse and secretary are hilariously realistic. EXCELLENT FILM!!!!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sandy Dennis at her best..., February 18, 2002

By 

"sandydennis" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Up the Down Staircase [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Sandy Dennis in her role as high school teacher Sylvia Barrett is truly magnificent!!! She outshines every other actor or actress in the movie. She does not overact - instead, she strikes one by her flawless presentation of an initially overtaxed teacher who develops towards an inspiring person, not only for her pupils, but also for those who watch the film with the intention to become a teacher her- or himself, as I do. What I appreciate especially about Up the down staircase is that with a minimum of special effects or dramatic events, a realistic portrayal of school life is achieved - from the teacher's as well as from the pupil's point of view. Dennis herself ranks among the most underrated Hollywood actresses, but like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, the film Up the down staircase stands as one of her masterpieces and prove that back in 1992, when she died of ovarian cancer, America lost one of its most gifted and unique actresses.