Mr Tibbs

From Daniel Petrie, starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands
Rated Approved

A Raisin in the Sun is an American drama film directed by Daniel Petrie and released in 1961. It is based on the play of the same name by Lorraine Hansberry and follows a black family in Chicago's South Side who receive an insurance check that changes their lives. The family consists of Lena Younger (Claudia McNeil), her son Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier), her daughter Beneatha (Diana Sands), and her son-in-law Bobo (John Fiedler). Lena wants to use the money to move the family to a better neighborhood, while Walter Lee wants to use it to invest in a liquor store. Beneatha wants to use it to attend medical school. The family experiences tensions as they battle over how to use the money. As the story unfolds, the Youngers confront racism and strive to discover their identity in a rapidly changing world. Ultimately, the family takes a stand and overcomes their struggles.

From Guy Green, starring Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, Elizabeth Hartman, Wallace Ford
Rated Unrated

A Patch of Blue is a 1965 drama film directed by Guy Green starring Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Hartman, Shelley Winters, and Wallace Ford. Set in 1960s America, the film tells the story of Selina D'Arcey (Hartman), an 18 year-old blind girl who is living with her grandmother and unpredictable mother, Rose-Ann (Winters). Selina's life drastically changes when she meets Gordon Ralfe (Poitier), a kind and compassionate African American man. Despite the prejudices of the time, the two form a deep friendship which slowly blossoms into a romantic relationship. With Gordon's help, Selina is determined to be independent and to make something of herself, ultimately forcing her mother to confront her own demons and prejudices. A Patch of Blue is a powerful and timeless exploration of love, prejudice, and the power of human kindness.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 American mystery drama film directed by Norman Jewison and based on the 1965 novel of the same name by John Ball. It stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, and follows a black detective from Philadelphia who is sent to investigate a murder in a small, racist Southern town. After struggling to gain the trust of the townspeople, the detective and his partner must find the murderer before racial tensions boil over. Along the way, he finds himself in the middle of a struggle between the town's powerful elite and the overlooked African-American population. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Steiger, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Stirling Silliphant.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton
Rated Approved

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a 1967 comedy-drama directed by Stanley Kramer. The film tells the story of Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton), a young white woman, who shocks her well-to-do liberal parents (Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy) when she announces her engagement to John Prentice (Sidney Poitier), an African-American doctor. Despite their initial hesitancy, Joanna’s parents eventually come to accept John and his proposal. The film examines issues of race and interracial marriage in the United States at the time. It was nominated for several Academy Awards and won one for Hepburn.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Tony Curtis, Sidney Poitier, Theodore Bikel, Charles McGraw
Rated Approved

The Defiant Ones is a 1958 film directed by Stanley Kramer which tells the story of two escaped prisoners, one black (Sidney Poitier) and one white (Tony Curtis), who are shackled together and must learn to work together if they are to survive. After escaping from a southern chain gang, they embark on a desperate journey across the American South, struggling against bigotry and hatred at every turn. Along the way, the two men learn to respect and trust each other as they face danger from both the law and from citizens who would rather see them fail than succeed. In the end, their ordeal brings them to a mutual understanding and respect for each other, showing how even the most unlikely of men can come together in the face of adversity.

From James Clavell, starring Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall
Rated Approved

"To Sir, with Love" is a 1967 British drama film directed by James Clavell, starring Sidney Poitier and Judy Geeson. Based on E.R. Braithwaite's 1959 novel, the film tells the story of Mark Thackeray (Poitier), a proud and confident engineer who is forced to take a job as a teacher in a tough East End school in London. Thackeray is initially met with resistance by the students, but gradually wins them over with his unconventional methods and personal dedication. Through his influence, the students come to learn the importance of discipline, self-respect, and responsibility, and ultimately, Thackeray helps to improve the lives of his students. The film is a touching coming-of-age story of the students and a testament to the power of education.

From Ralph Nelson, starring Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann, Isa Crino
Rated Unrated

Lilies of the Field (1963) is a classic drama film directed by Ralph Nelson. The story follows Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier), an African American drifter who happens upon a small, impoverished Bavarian community in the Arizona desert. The community is home to a group of German nuns who have recently arrived in the area and are trying to build a chapel. Homer agrees to help the nuns build the chapel and in return, they provide him with room and board. As Homer works on the chapel, he forms strong connections with the nuns and helps them overcome their conflicts and challenges. Through his efforts, the chapel is eventually completed and Homer finds peace, acceptance and a sense of belonging in his newfound community.

From Richard Brooks, starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes
Rated Approved

From Roger Spottiswoode, starring Sidney Poitier, Tom Berenger, Kirstie Alley, Clancy Brown
Rated R

From Richard Benjamin, starring Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix, Richard Jenkins, Caroline Kava
Rated PG