12 films about teachers that inspire and make you think

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Biographies of real people, Soviet classics and even a musical comedy await you.

12. Teachers

• USA, 1984.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

A graduate of Eddie's school is suing the administration for a very strange reason: he was given a certificate, although the teenager still cannot read or write. The thing is that teachers are more busy with their own worries than teaching children. Eddie is unexpectedly supported by social science teacher Alex, who really stands up for the development of students.

The picture reveals an important problem of society: often the administration only wants to get rid of careless students. And only a few idealists like Alex are ready to support them, even though such a step could damage a career.

11. Renaissance man

• USA, 1994.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

Advertising agent Bill loses his job and cannot find a new job in any way. He eventually agrees to become an English language and literature teacher. But he is not sent to school, but to a military unit, where recruits are more interested in training with weapons than reading Shakespeare.

The main role in this picture is played by the famous Danny de Vito. And the plot perfectly shows how Bill from an indifferent worker turns into an enthusiast, and the military is seriously interested in literature.

10. Dangerous thoughts

• USA, 1995.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps, LuAnn Johnson gets a job teaching English at one of the California colleges. But she gets the class with the most disadvantaged students, who often think about street fights and drugs, rather than homework. LuAnn has to apply the skills she learned in the army to somehow return the students to a normal life.

In contrast to The Renaissance Man, this plot brings a bit of military education to the class, which can also be helpful. Although the picture was remembered by many thanks to the stunning composition Gangsta's Paradise on the soundtrack.

9. School of rock

• USA, 2003.
• Comedy, musical.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

The talented but unlucky guitarist Dewey Finn is kicked out of his own band. Left completely without money, he goes to work as a substitute teacher in a private school. But Dewey knows nothing about teaching, and therefore simply assembles a rock band from his students.

Many people know the director Richard Linklater from complex films like "Before Dawn" or "Adolescence", on which he worked for years. But his "School of Rock" is a light and perky film that shows that a teacher, being on the same wavelength with his students, can achieve a lot from them.

8. Mr. Holland's opus

• USA, 1995.
• Drama, musical.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The great musician Glenn Holland leaves concert activity and gets a job as a music teacher at the school. At first, he approaches the work formally, but gradually realizes that children can be attracted to the subject by talking about more fashionable styles. Holland still dreams of writing a great composition, but a strong blow awaits him: the son of the character is born deaf.

The film, in which the great Richard Dreyfuss played the main role, covers about 30 years of the heroes' lives. The plot shows how Holland, from a selfish dream of fame, gradually turns to a desire to help others.

7. Coach Carter

• USA, Germany, 2005.
• Drama, biography, sports.
• Duration: 136 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Coach Ken Carter joins the school basketball team. Pupils under his leadership practically do not know defeat. But then the mentor makes a very tough decision - he forbids the players to train until they catch up in other subjects.

The plot of the picture is based on a real story. And the magnificent Samuel L. Jackson showed a very unusual image of a teacher who cares not only about his business, but also about the life of his students in general. Although in his decisions, he can be very harsh.

6. Stand up and achieve

• USA, 1988.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

A new computer science teacher, Haimi Escalante, arrives at a school in a poor neighborhood. Due to the lack of technology, he has to teach mathematics, which the mentor explains in an interesting and visual way. Excalante realizes that his students have great potential. But soon the school may be closed due to too low rates.

The film, which retells a real story, made the leading actor Edward James Olmos famous. A touching plot shows that a good teacher can present any subject in an entertaining and understandable way. And many schoolchildren just need someone who will believe in them.

5. Big debaters

• USA, 2007.
• Drama, melodrama, biography.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Melvin Tolson works as a debate coach at a college in a small Texas town. His wards, including only black students, will have to fight on equal terms with representatives of elite schools, including Harvard students. All this takes place in the 1930s, during the time of segregation.

Denzel Washington directed this film himself and played the main role. Moreover, the plot is based on the real story of Melvin Tolson, who with all his might fought against racism and segregation in the United States.

4. Writers of freedom

• Germany, USA, 2006.
• Drama, crime, biography.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Young teacher Erin Gruell comes to school, where many teenagers are in street gangs. At first it seems that the heroine will not last even a week with daring charges. But Gruell manages to win the students' trust and create a friendly environment.

The plot of this picture has an unusual fate. The real-life Erin Gruell wrote her autobiography, The Diary of Free Writers, about her work at school. Later, journalist Tracey Durning made a documentary about the teacher and herself submitted the idea of an artistic adaptation of the story.

3. Substitute teacher

• USA, 2011.
• Drama.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Replacement teacher Henry Barth is sent to teach at a school located in a disadvantaged area. In this institution, students do not hesitate to swear right in the classroom and even insult their mentors. Bart manages to improve the atmosphere in the classroom. But in his personal life, everything is only getting worse.

Tony Kay's painting (American History X) is more a philosophical parable than a drama. The narration here is interrupted by the monologues of the protagonist, and the ending looks very ambiguous. Partly because of this, critics gave the film an average rating. But Adrian Brody's acting makes up for all the plot flaws.

2. We'll live until Monday

• USSR, 1968.
• Drama.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

A new teacher of English comes to school - a very young Natalia Gorelova. Her former mentor Ilya Semyonovich Melnikov immediately teaches history. Only two of them are struggling with too impersonal and unified methods of education. Meanwhile, the students have their own worries: first love and the search for a place in the world.

Despite the fact that the action covers only three days, director Stanislav Rostotsky and screenwriter Georgy Polonsky managed to show literally all the important problems of Soviet schools. And Ilya Semyonovich Melnikov for many has turned into a reference image of a teacher: he teaches children not to cram, but to think and seek, and is always ready to stand up for his charges.

1. Society of Dead Poets

• USA, 1989.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The educational process at Wellton Academy is structured in the most rigorous and conservative way. But new language teacher John Keating is not going to follow the established order. He tells his students that their life is fleeting and you need to catch every moment. Then his wards secretly revive the literary club "Society of Dead Poets". However, one of them soon starts having problems.

John Keating, played by the brilliant Robin Williams, is an example of a teacher who inspires his students and helps them discover something new about themselves. And the tragic plot of the film emphasizes that parents also need to take into account the desires and dreams of their children.