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A Touch of Greatness
 
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A Touch of Greatness (2005)

Starring: Leslie Sullivan, Albert Cullum Director: Leslie Sullivan Rating: NR (Not Rated) Format: DVD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

List Price: $29.95
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A Touch of Greatness + The First Year + Misunderstood Minds Searching for Success in School
Total List Price: $69.85
Price For All Three: $62.97

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  • This item: A Touch of Greatness DVD ~ Leslie Sullivan

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  • The First Year DVD ~ Georgene Acosta

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  • Misunderstood Minds Searching for Success in School DVD ~ Chris Bury

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Touch of Greatness
67% buy the item featured on this page:
A Touch of Greatness 4.8 out of 5 stars (11)
$26.99
The First Year
12% buy
The First Year 3.4 out of 5 stars (5)
$17.99
Misunderstood Minds Searching for Success in School
11% buy
Misunderstood Minds Searching for Success in School 4.4 out of 5 stars (8)
$17.99
The Hobart Shakespeareans
5% buy
The Hobart Shakespeareans 4.7 out of 5 stars (25)
$24.49

Product Details

  • Actors: Leslie Sullivan, Albert Cullum, Laurie Heineman
  • Directors: Leslie Sullivan
  • Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: FIRST RUN FEATURES
  • DVD Release Date: March 22, 2005
  • Run Time: 54 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0006Z2NL8
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,298 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
  • For more information about "A Touch of Greatness" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Shows what extraordinary things can happen (with) a visionary child advocate like Albert Cullum. --Cleveland Plain Dealer


Product Description

{Winner! GOLDEN STARFISH AWARD: Best Documentary- Hamptons Film Festival}

{Winner! AUDIENCE AWARD: Best Documentary- Denver International Film Festival}

As an elementary school teacher for more than twenty years and a pioneer in teacher education, Albert Cullum galvanized students and shook up parents through the use of poetry, drama and imaginative play. Cullum championed a radical educational philosophy that spoke directly to his student's hearts through his passionate use of poetry and drama including literary masterpieces from Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Shaw. Cullum went well beyond the textbook and instead allowed his students to find their own inspiration in the works while discovering new heights of originality and joy in learning.

Sullivan's one-of-a-kind film weaves rare archival television broadcasts and remarkable vintage footage from films documenting these projects (several recorded in the early 1960's by Robert Downey Sr., the director of the 60's independent classic Putney Swope), as well as recent interviews with Cullum, Downey, and Cullum's students. What emerges is an inspiring portrait of a maverick teacher who transformed a generation of young people by enabling them to discover their own inner greatness through the power of learning. At a time when the American educational system is under scrutiny, this film is an important look at where it has been and an inspiration for where it can go.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Master Teacher's Genius, January 26, 2005
How fortunate that Mr. Cullum had a talented friend in Robert Downey, Sr. who was skillful and sensitive to the magical moments fostered by an inspired teacher. The old black & white clips still capture the thrill children feel, when allowed to interpret information and learn from each other, while being guided by a teacher who wanted the very best for each of them.

The reunion at Rye, NY with some of his early students provided a thoughtful analysis of what his methods meant to them, and how they prospered under his tutelage.

I recommend that elementary & middle school teachers show this DVD at least once every year. It's that inspiring.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone in education needs to see this film, January 11, 2005
I just watched this documentary on PBS (aired as part of the Independent Lens series) and it is both entertaining and touching. I am going to buy a copy for each person I know in education - it will give them a new energy about their position! The film is beautifully created as a documentary of the life of a teacher in NY during the 50's and 60's named Albert Cullum. The film features both recent and historical footage of him, including old classroom footage, teaching children and sharing his philosophies. His methods were innovative and creative - it is a real inspiration! [...]
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars NO MEDIOCRITY ALLOWED!, June 4, 2005
This documentary is absolutely wonderful. Albert Cullum was a gift to education and his methods should be adopted by every teacher hoping to not only teach children but to change their lives.
There are too many kids these days who grow up without good reading skills and, oftentimes, no interest in reading whatsoever.
Our society is being dummed down by the minute. We need more teachers like Cullum to show us what is possible in each and every child.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Students Make Great Teachers
A Touch of Greatness documents the 20 year career of Albert Collum as an elementary school teacher. His imaginative methods are revealed and discussed, as well as his impact on... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Giordano Bruno

4.0 out of 5 stars Albert Cullum Definitely Had A Touch Of Teaching Greatness But............
This is a very well made documentary. Albert Cullum was certainly gifted with intelligence, charisma, intuition, boundless energy and no small amount of acting ability which... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Susan Y. Schoonover

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
An inspiring DVD for a new teacher. Though the setting was in the 60s, I can still learn from timeless principles from the documentary.
Published on March 8, 2007 by R. Sin

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Teacher, Every Parent Must See this Film
A half century ago, a brave public school teacher (Albert Cullum) explored innovative techniques, with heart and mind, to establish a "new way" of teaching 5th graders. Oh... Read more
Published on February 6, 2006 by Gerard D. Launay

5.0 out of 5 stars What teaching success looks like
I'm a high school English teacher and this film is going to change what happens in my classroom.

In this film, Albert Cullum says what are perhaps the most courageous... Read more
Published on December 1, 2005 by Jefferson T. Packer

5.0 out of 5 stars Touched my heart
I just watched this documentary last night during a class I am taking in the Graduate School. It absolutely touched my heart. Read more
Published on June 24, 2005 by F. Palmer

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST-SEE T.V.
I grew up in the town next to Rye around the time Cullum was teaching as his legend was growing. Seeing this film was a step through the looking glass to a time when education... Read more
Published on February 24, 2005 by Henry E. Dreher

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant work for our times in Education
A must see for all educators frustrated by "No Child Left Behind" initiatives. This work chronicles the lifelong dedication of one teacher to bring every child forward in a... Read more
Published on January 18, 2005 by Donagh Mac Donagh

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