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Blackboard Jungle

Glenn Ford (Actor), Anne Francis (Actor), Richard Brooks (Director) Rated:

Format: DVD

599 ratings

IMDb7.4/10.0

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May 10, 2005

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The Blackboard Jungle

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Genre	Drama, Mystery & Suspense/Crime
Format	Multiple Formats, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, Subtitled, NTSC
Contributor	Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier, Anne Francis, Margaret Hayes, Richard Brooks, Vic Morrow, Rafael Campos, Paul Mazursky, Warner Anderson, Richard Kiley, John Hoyt, Louis Calhern, Emile Meyer See more
Language	English
Runtime	1 hour and 41 minutes

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Product Description

Blackboard Jungle, The (DVD)

Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier star in a gritty urban drama about a highschool teacher who will not allow himself to be defeated by his toughinner city students ... even when he is assaulted and his pregnant wifeis threatened.This groundbreaking classic film shocked viewers by exposing the realityof America's schools and by featuring then-controversial rock 'n' rollin the soundtrack.Based on the bestseller by Evan Hunter.

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Product details

Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 2.4 Ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ DVD66903
Director ‏ : ‎ Richard Brooks
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, Subtitled, NTSC
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 41 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ May 10, 2005
Actors ‏ : ‎ Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Vic Morrow, Louis Calhern, Sidney Poitier
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Spanish, French
Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Unqualified, French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Studio ‏ : ‎ WarnerBrothers
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0007TKNHE
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #42,985 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #8,169 in Drama DVDs

Customer Reviews:
599 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

599 global ratings

5 star		81%
4 star		13%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Nathaniel D Reeves

Classic

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 29, 2022

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This movie was outstanding.

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Patrick G

Impressed, Moved, and Surprised

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 12, 2017

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I enjoyed this movie greatly and was surprised by it. I am a high school English teacher and a big rock and roll fan, so this one has been on my must see list for years. Here’s what stood out :

***PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD

-Notable character subtlety uncommon for films from that era (even great ones like *Rebel Without a Cause* or *The Wild One*). The viewer never quite knows where Glenn Ford’s Mr. Dadier will go next. Will he get angry? Will he laugh at the students’ jokes (jokes made at his expense)? What’s happening with his shifting emotions? Will he suddenly reveal his own muted racism (as he does at one point toward Sidney Poitier’s Gregory Miller, an African American student whom Dadier champions)? Ford keeps you guessing – it’s a great performance. (This can be said of Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow, and other cast members as well.)

-Although the film exhibits that 1 1/3rd speed fast-paced rhythm and high drama that appears in any pre-New Hollywood movie that I’ve seen, there’s also a stunning presence of realism… as in people who actually talk the way people talk and behave like people behave. This film is real.

-Remarkably progressive – there’s actual discussions of education philosophy at a time when most certification programs were just rubber stamp pathways to the classroom. This can be noted in the acknowledgement from Dadier’s professor that the theoretical university classes did nothing to prepare the teachers for the actual classroom (or at least a classroom with reluctant learners). These ivory tower criticisms of education programs continue to this day. Also, there’s a discussion on how to engage students. The “visual learning” being discussed parallels today’s progressive strategies, such as cooperative learning and effective use of technology. There’s also the argument that students really are hungry to learn under the right conditions.

-I was stunned to hear the “N word” twice and I wonder how the filmmakers pulled it off with the film studio or any would-be censors. As we know, 1950’s America was seeped with racism, but this ugly fact wasn’t something Hollywood or the broadcast networks wanted to admit, much less confront. Quite remarkable to see such gutsiness and candor in this film.

-Despite the willingness of the movie to shine a light on racism as well as growing concerns about juvenile unrest, there’s still a cringeworthy sexist “lecture” that Dadier delivers to his wife Anne regarding how his intelligence and her good looks is what makes them a great team. In other parts of the film women are presented in standard gender roles for the time, so not much headway is made there unfortunately.

-Two other elements that would be easily recognized in today’s schools : 1) Administration and staff that is rusted or burned out, but - in some cases - can still be persuaded to care ; 2) The consequences of teen illiteracy.

-The acknowledgement that some kids just may in fact be so damaged that they will damage others, and simple human compassion and understanding may bring about greater injustices when dealing with such individuals. This is seen with Vic Morrow’s Artie West, who ultimately is held accountable for his nefarious actions. It’s a breakthrough moment for Dadier because he realizes West must face consequences. No teacher can succeed if s/he is not willing to put his or her foot down on the Arties of the classroom.

The Blackboard Jungle respects teenagers and teachers, and is one of the most honest films I have ever seen, which is all the more impressive considering the era in which it was made. This should be required viewing in all education programs.

17 people found this helpful

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beechwoodmanor

movie is dated but the issues are still the same

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 11, 2022

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great acting and plot.

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Dawn C

Great gift

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 8, 2022

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Father in law loved it

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Brenda H. Nelson

So-so

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 23, 2022

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The main character is a teacher in a tough city school. The story theme seems to be, "If a teacher is tough enough and really shows the kids whos boss with dominating and even fist fighting, he will succeed in being popular with the kids. The main problem with public school is its attitude that it needs to dominate and control kids. Mistake #1--school is compulsory. It assumes kids don't like to learn (WRONG!) and that it must be forced down their throats. Children naturally love to learn IF ITS NOT FORCED. Ranking the kids with grades is SO unbelievably wrong. Keeping them indoors so much is WRONG. Free will choices from when to start school, which school, child-selected teachers, child selected curriculum, free choice of classes, free choice of attending every day or not--all are needed for school to be better and for kids to be better educated. I was in highschool during the era depicted in the movie and IT WAS AWFUL... and I was a straight A student...who skipped school a lot.

One person found this helpful

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D. K. Daniel

A cultural milestone, still packs some punch

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 5, 2011

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Today's schools can be a lot scarier than the one Glenn Ford steps into, but this movie's message - teachers can have an impact - remains true.

That was the message writer-director Richard Brooks developed when he adapted the best-selling novel by Evan Hunter a/k/a Ed McBain. Growing up poor in Philadelphia, Brooks had been to tough schools and understood how one teacher could change a life. According to the new book "Tough as Nails: The Life and Films of Richard Brooks" (available from amazon.com), that happened to Brooks. He never forgot the teacher who taught him how to read and thus opened a new world for him.

Funny thing was, none of MGM's big contract stars wanted to be in the lead role. Among those turning it down were Robert Taylor and Mickey Rooney. Glenn Ford's career, though, was in a downturn at the time and asked for the part. And he helped make the movie one of the most memorable looks at teen life in the 1950's.

The depiction of juvenile delinquency in "Blackboard Jungle" sparked huge controversy, too, and some communities sought to ban the movie because they feared it would lead to violence. Some even called it communist-inspired because it didn't portray schools in a positive light.

"Blackboard Jungle" is remembered for many things. It was the first movie to feature a rock and roll song, "Rock Around the Clock," which Brooks personally chose for the soundtrack. (It wasn't until the movie came out that the song hit No. 1.) "Blackboard Jungle" was a huge hit, MGM's top earner that year, and on a shoestring budget to boot. It helped make a star out of Sidney Poitier, one of the kids in the classroom. And it helped Brooks gain more control over his films.

Keep an eye on the classroom and look for future writer-director Paul Mazursky, future "Combat!" star Vic Morrow (he won the part over Steve McQueen) and future "MASH" TV star Jamie Farr.

Tough as Nails: The Life and Films of Richard Brooks (Wisconsin Film Studies)

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A little dated but well done and still very relevant.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 8, 2022

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Sydney Poitier shines!

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Just Like Today

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 30, 2019

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Not much has changed in 60+ years is all I will say except which slang terms are used. A great teacher adapts lessons to make connections with the students and is able to reach some and engages some students for the first time. Behavior in the classroom does not always indicate the best skills a student possesses (i.e. leadership skills are present but not used in the class). Don't judge a person by how they act in one class. Students can be good people outside of school but disengaged in the classroom to academic content. Some students have big problems in their lives that interfere with learning or are bigger issues than what grades they earn. And lastly, even the best teacher cannot reach all the students even through good lessons. This is entertaining but tells truths about schooling that still apply today. Rating 5 stars = Love It.

6 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

James Maguire

Even though it's B&W

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

It's that classic (1950's) school drama with probably the first rock 'n roll music for an intro. Know wonder the kids tore the cinemas up dancing in the isles to Bill Haley and The Comets playing - 'Rock Around The Clock' yes it's yesterday's papers...

Charles Thompson

Delinquency portrayal

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great 1955 movie exposing the onset of juvenile delinquency in the classroom. I missed it the first time around, but the theme is even more significant today. A young Sidney Potier plays a rebel school kid. Highly recommended viewing for today's youths.

Amazon Customer

Excellent film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 6, 2022

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Excellent film . Glen ford excellent and Sidney Poitier

BinkyAmazon Customer

Interesting content

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

Saw the original in cinema, still a good film possibly the first to show the rise of juvenile delinquency, well worth a watch

Lesley clarkson

Watch and see what you think

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

Spoilt jealous thug trying to rule the class

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Blackboard Jungle

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