to sir with love

To Sir With LoveThose schoolgirl days Of telling tales and biting nails are goneBut in my mindI know they will still live on and onBut how do you thank someone who's taken you from crayons to perfumeIt isn't easy but I'll tryIf you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high To Sir with love.The time has comefor closing books and long last looks must endAnd as I leaveI know that I am leaving my best friendA friend who taught me right from wrongand weak from strong That's a lot to learn.

What, what can I give you in return If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start but I would rather you let me give my heartTo Sir with love.

Those awkward years have hurried by, why did they fly away?Why is it Sir, children grow up to be people one day?What takes the place of climbing trees and dirty knees in the world outside?

What is there for you I can buy?If you wanted the world I'd surround it with a wall,I'd scrawl these words with letters ten feet tall,"TO SIR WTIH LOVE"

To Sir With Love Script - Dialogue Transcript

Voila! Finally, the To Sir With Love script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Sidney Poitier movie.  This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of To Sir With Love. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. You won't hurt my feelings. Honest.

Swing on back to Drew's Script-O-Rama afterwards for more free movie scripts!

To Sir With Love ScriptMy bleeding feet!Hello, Mrs. Joseph.l like your hair.ls that strawberry blonde?You´re only jealous.What you got forthe old man´s supper tonight?He´ll be lucky to getfaggots and pease pudd, he will.Well, he can´t do much on that,can he?

All l want him for

is to keep me feet warm.Excuse me, dearie.Here, Gert.l wouldn´t mind having this little lotin my stocking for Christmas.You wouldn´t know what to do with him.You´ve been a widow too long.You speak for yourself.lt´s like riding a bicycle.You never forget how.Here, l´ll tell you what l´ll do.l´ll send my Alfie to you.He´s not bad once he gets going.Well, l hope he´s well-sprung. Morning.Looking for someone?Nice day, isn´t it?Sorry.Hackman´s in the staff room.Where he bleeding well belongs.Good morning.My name is Thackeray.l´m a new teacher.We were expecting you.So you´re the new lambfor the slaughter.Or should l say......black sheep?No, just a teacher, Mr. Hackman.l´m not Hackman.Perish the thought.He´s departed,God rest his soul.He´s probably pouring out his woesto the divisional officer by now.Weston.l´m Mrs. Evans, Grace.Deputy head.Mrs. Evans.Have you seen anyof the children yet?l looked in on Mr. Hackman´s classfor a moment.l take them for domestic science.Like a cup of tea?No, thank you, not just now.You been teaching long?This is my first appointment.We call them jobs.American, are you?British......from British Guiana.But l spent some yearsin the States.- Where?

- Ln California.Weather as good as they say?lt´s better.What was your subject?What did you major in?Engineering.l must be off.Make yourself at home.Wander around, if you like,or stay here.l´ll introduce youto the others at lunch.Thank you.This is Gillian, Mr. Thackeray.Gillian Blanchard.She´s new here too.Came the day before yesterday.- Tea, Gillian?- Thank you.This is Mr. Mark Thackeray,the new replacement.Jose Dawes,Euphemia Phillips.They teach the little ones.Theo Weston, you know.Yes, l´ve had the pleasure.He mistook me for Hackman.- L heard he´s fled.- Can´t say l blame him.That shot of humanity´s enoughto destroy anyone.He got what he deserved.l´m Clinty Clintridge.Clinty´s a marvelous artist.Got one at the Royal Academya couple of years ago.Teaching providesthe bread and butter.Well, that´s all the staffexcept for Mr. Bell......our P.T. instructor.l do hope you´regoing to stay with us.l shouldn´t if l were you, old man.Row home while you can.Don´t discourage him, Weston.Well, l must go.l have to fix a bathfor a girl in Clinty´s class.Why?Kids are complaining again.Won´t sit near her.What´s the matter?Personal hygiene problems.Fourteen and helpless.You men are lucky. The things we women have to do

for these kids.Gillian, dear......encourage him to stay.Why is it everyone thinksl need encouraging?They said the same to me.There´s something frightening butalso challenging about this school.There´s no form of corporalpunishment or any punishment.None?l have no real teaching experience.l´m a little lost.l don´t have any experience either.

Of course, it´ll be

much easier for you.

l´m a little afraid of them.

Midday dance session.

During lunch,

the older kids use the hall.

l sometimes join them.

Even the old man

shakes a leg on occasions.

Dancing is merely their way

of keeping fit...

...for the more exciting pastime

of teacher baiting.

Couldn´t you be

a bit less discouraging?

lt´s the last thing l want to do.

The music´s louder than usual.

They´re probably celebrating

their victory over Hackman.

l better go and see Mr. Florian.

l´ll show you the way.

They´re good, aren´t they?

l suppose so.

The head´s study is this way.

Do you two...

Do you two shake?

Well, l´ll see you later,

Mr. Thackeray.

Well?

Thank you.

But l have to go

and see the principal.

You have excellent qualifications,

astonishing ones, in fact...

...as a communications engineer.

Field experience in South America.

Why do you want to be a teacher?

Reasons.

You´ve already tried to get

an engineering post?

l tried for months, sir.

We have no blueprint in North Quay.

Most of our children are

rejects from other schools.

We have to help and teach them

as best we can...

...and as much as we can.

The local authorities are not

totally on our side.

And from the moment

you accept this position...

...you´ll be entirely on your own.

Of course, l and the staff will do

everything we can to help you.

But success or failure

will depend entirely upon you.

What´s it to be?

l want the job, sir.

Good.

Then it´s settled.

Tomorrow, you´ll take over

Hackman´s class.

Sapiano.

Wong.

Osgood.

Tuffen.

Pegg.

Pegg?

Joseph.

Dare.

Potter.

Potter.

Denham.

Buckley.

Purcell.

Fernman.

Jackson.

Strong.

Seales.

- Palmer.

- Yes, guvnor.

Campbell.

Present.

l don´t know how much you know,

so we´ll start from scratch.

First, as l call your name...

...will you read anything you like

from one of your school books?

Fernman.

Right.

´´Only those who...

...arrived on...

...horseback...

...or in a public coach. ´´

- Thank you.

Denham.

´´lf hens...

...lay an egg a day for days...

...how much are the eggs a dozen,

and how many have you to sell? ´´

Moira Joseph.

´´Pete Gilroy´s weight

and the ever-tightening noose...

...about her neck...

...began slightly to impede

the wild mare´s speed.

But Pete was only too fully aware

of what his fate would be...

...for he could not hope

to escape death...

...from being battered and crushed. ´´

Put that away, please.

Thank you.

Would anyone else like to read?

- Your name, please.

- Pamela Dare.

´´And he had learned to love.

l know not why...

...for this in such as him

seemed strange of mood.

But thus it was.

And though

in solitude´s small part...

...the nipped affections

have to grow.

ln him this glowed...

...when all beside

had ceased to glow. ´´

Thank you, Miss Dare.

Next, weights and measures.

What´s avoirdupois?

- Avoir de what?

- Avoirdupois.

Weights.

Heavyweight, light-heavy,

cruiserweight...

...middle, light, bantam,

fly, featherweight.

Thank you very much.

lt´s encouraging that

you have a sense of humor.

lt seems you...

...know little and are easily amused.

l can look forward to a happy time.

Copy down the following tables.

Who does he think he is, there?

Cheeky devil.

Hello, ducks.

Thought you might need this.

How´d it go?

Let´s just say, battle was joined.

l don´t know what we´d do

without a cuppa.

What´s your name?

l know that.

l mean, your other name.

Mark.

Couple of things, Mark.

We all know the old man´s views.

And basically, we agree with them.

But he´s safe in an office.

These kids come from homes where

an order is accompanied by a blow.

One rude word to their parents,

the roof will hit them.

There´s nothing like that

going on here, right?

So they´ve got us

at a great disadvantage.

Hackman tried to be popular.

He hung himself.

Weston couldn´t care less

about them, and that´s no good.

l can´t guide you...

...but don´t take any nonsense

from these little tykes.

They´re good kids, Mark,

most of them.

But if you don´t solve them,

they´ll break you, and damn quickly.

That´s been tried...

...by experts.

They´re very expert.

Please, can l leave the room, guv?

Yes, and it´s Thackeray.

Yes, guv.

Most of you girls help your mothers

with the shopping.

So sorry, Mr. ´´Fackeray. ´´

Proper drafty in these parts,

isn´t it?

About multiplying...

...there are

a few valuable tricks to know.

Say that you´re offered roast beef

at seven shillings per pound.

Potter.

Must you do that?

l can´t help it, Sir.

lt´s me desk.

Poor old Potts!

Sit down.

l´ll speak with the caretaker

about it after school.

lsn´t he nice?

l hope l didn´t miss nothing.

Where was we?

About shopping or something...

That´s enough, Denham.

l was only asking, Mr. Fackeray.

l don´t want to miss nothing.

Bert, he was just about to show us

a new and valuable trick.

When you´re shopping, you see...

l said, that´s enough.

Sit down.

Do exercise four, five and six.

Very quietly.

Don´t worry.

The worst is still to come.

You´re still getting

the silent treatment.

What´s the next phase?

Well, unless you can work up

a little black magic...

...these little bastards have

a multitude of tricks.

Why did you take up teaching?

lt´s good to have some kind of a job.

But l´m teaching them nothing.

l´m not even getting to first base.

Don´t worry.

Your lot leaves this term.

The next will be better.

They´ll be just as bad.

Probably worse.

What´s your answer?

What they need...

...is a bloody good hiding.

l feel rather sorry for them,

you know?

Most of them can hardly read.

You´re so naive,

my dear old colleague.

They´ll be earning twice as much

as us before you can shake a stick.

They´ll happily be part

of the great London unwashed:

llliterate...

...smelly and quite content.

An education´s a disadvantage

in this day and age.

That is ridiculous!

But still true.

So you had better start

brushing up...

...on your voodoo if you wish

to remain sane.

Good morning.

All right, take your seats.

- All right, Sir?

- L hope you didn´t hurt yourself.

You all right?

Cheap stuff they´re selling nowadays.

Want me to help, Sir?

Sit down.

Take your proper places.

We can move around here,

you know, Sir.

Take your proper places.

Beg pardon.

Something the matter?

Seales, is something wrong?

lt´s me mum.

She´s awful sick.

l´m sorry.

Anything l can do?

Nothing.

- She´s English.

- L see.

You´re like my old man,

except you´re bigger and younger.

Rotten bastard!

You shouldn´t speak like that.

You know nothing.

l hate him!

Why not?

Never forgive him for

what he did to me mum. Never!

He married her, didn´t he?

Didn´t he?

Today, let´s take a look

at South America.

l´m sorry, Mr. Fackeray.

The bloody things just slipped.

The name is Thackeray,

and they are not ´´bloody things. ´´

They were a pile of books.

That´s a good netting score.

Pam, love, that´s not a bloody pile,

but it´s a pile of books.

All right, settle down.

l was only trying to help,

Mr. Thackeray, Sir.

That´s right, Mr. Fackeray.

Curley was only trying to put

that little scrubber in her place.

l know what Curley was trying to do.

Now just settle down.

We are going to study

South America.

Now turn to page

in your geography book.

´´They were alone...

...but not alone as they who

shut in chambers think it loneliness.

The voiceless sand and the drooping

caves that lay around them...

...made them to each other press...

...as if there were no life

beneath the sky... ´´

Sorry, love.

lt´s the bleeding desk.

Do you speak such words

to your father?

You´re not my bleeding father!

All l want to know is,

who does he think he is?

Mate, shut up!

Morning.

Hello, Thackeray.

How goes it?

Fine, thank you, Sir.

All you boys, out.

The girls stay where they are.

What´s the matter?

- Out at once!

- All right.

l am sick of your foul language...

...your crude behavior

and your sluttish manner.

A decent woman keeps

certain things private.

Only a filthy slut

would have done this!

Those who encouraged her

are just as bad!

l don´t care who´s responsible.

You´re all to blame!

l´m leaving for five minutes,

by which time...

...that disgusting object

had better be removed.

And the windows opened

to clear the stench!

lf you must play these filthy games,

do them in your homes...

...and not in my classroom.

What´s the matter?

Man, oh, man!

l lost my temper. The one thing

l swore l would never do.

God, did l lose my temper!

What happened?

After all the bull

l´ve taken in my life...

...in a few short weeks,

those kids have got me so steamed up.

So easy. So quickly.

l never would have thought it.

- Perhaps you´re trying too hard.

- Those kids are devils incarnate.

l tried everything. Everything!

But nothing l tried...

Kids.

Kids.

That´s it!

Those are out.

They are useless to you.

l realized you are not children.

You will be adults in a few weeks,

with all the responsibilities.

From now on, you will be treated

as such by me and by each other...

...as adults.

Responsible adults.

Next, we´ll be reasonable

with each other.

We are just going to talk,

you and l.

You are going to listen

without interruption.

And when l am finished,

one of you may have your say.

Without interruptions.

Next...

What a morning!

Everything´s gone wrong.

First, the alarm didn´t go off.

Then l had to wait hours for a bus.

l must have stood there

three bleeding hours...

Example:

There are two ways to enter a room.

One is like an adult,

a lady with dignity.

The other is like a brat.

Miss Dare has shown us the second way.

Perhaps you´d demonstrate the first.

l´m sorry l´m late.

Next...

...we are all going to observe

certain courtesies in this classroom.

You will call me

Sir or Mr. Thackeray.

The young ladies will be

addressed as Miss...

...the boys by their surnames.

Why should we call them Miss?

We know them.

l beg your pardon?

l said, why should we

call them Miss?

We know them.

ls there a young lady you feel...

...does not deserve to be

addressed as Miss?

- No, Sir.

- Good.

Next, general deportment.

First, the young ladies.

They must prove worthy of

the courtesies we will show them.

Soon, boyfriends and marriage

will concern you.

No man likes a slut for long.

Only the worst type will marry one.

And the competition for men

on the outside is rough.

Next, men.

l´ve seen garbage collectors

who are cleaner.

Toughness is a quality

of the mind...

...like bravery,

honesty and ambition.

lf you want to wear your hair long,

clean it...

...else you´ll soon get lice and smell.

Soon your principle interest

will be girls.

You will be more attractive

with clean clothes, clean shoes...

...hands, face, teeth, et cetera.

Any questions?

Miss Pegg.

What about Mr. Weston, Sir?

He´s never tidy, his shoes is

never brushed, and his hair´s a mess.

lt´s filthy.

Mr. Weston is not your teacher.

We won´t discuss him.

l´m the one to criticize

if l fail to maintain the standards.

That´s not fair.

Sir...

...or Mr. Thackeray.

Didn´t you understand?

That´s not fair...

...Sir.

l agree.

But that´s an example of things

you´ll have to put up with as an adult.

You´ll just have to take it.

Next, we are going to talk

about various...

Good morning.

- L wanted to see how you were doing.

- Fine, sir.

Good.

Thank you.

What is it?

Palmer.

What are we going

to talk about, Sir?

About life...

...survival...

...love...

...death, sex, marriage...

...rebellion, anything you want.

l never did see one like him, Pam.

Even when he blew his stack,

no swearing or nothing.

Blimey!

Ain´t natural, that´s what.

Does he really mean what he says?

l don´t know.

lt´d be a change, though, to see

those creeps acting like gents.

Here, which one do you fancy?

l like Babs.

Yeah? Watch this.

- Come on, Pam, love.

- Get lost, Denham!

l don´t like

your smelly tricks, do l?

And it´s Miss Dare to you.

Get stuffed.

Come on then, love.

You heard what Sir said,

Mr. Smarty Denham.

lf you want to dance with me,

you bleeding well ask proper.

May l have the pleasure

of this dance, Miss Pegg?

Blimey!

Good old Potts.

Get you, Potter.

Shut up!

Who does he think he is,

bleeding Fred Astaire?

Come on, Miss Pegg.

Look at me.

l am a lady, l am.

Rotten tarts, all of them.

Bleeding chimney sweep

was right about that.

He won´t catch me

spending me nicker on them.

He said we could talk about anything.

You are so right, Tich, me mate.

He did say we could ask him anything.

Questions and answers.

Last night on the telly,

there was this travelogue picture.

You know, a lot of black women

dancing around with no tops.

Don´t they ever dress proper?

What´s proper varies

throughout the world...

...depending on

customs and climate.

For their climate and customs,

they were dressed properly.

Are you from South Africa, Sir?

Of course not.

South Africans is white, isn´t they?

A South African is a native

of South Africa, regardless of color.

l was born in British Guiana.

What did you mean the other day

about rebellion, Sir?

Change.

Take your hairstyles.

That´s a form of rebellion, isn´t it?

What, Sir?

Don´t you do it

to be different from adults?

They´ve messed up the world,

haven´t they?

- You can say that again.

- So you rebel.

Even the way you dress is

a form of rebellion, isn´t it?

lt´s just the new fashion, Sir.

Of course, the adults look

proper stupid in our gear.

Do you think it´s wrong

to be different, to rebel?

lt is your duty to change

the world, if you can.

Not by violence.

Peacefully, individually,

not as a mob.

Take the Beatles.

They started a huge social revolution.

The fashions they set in dress...

...and hairstyles are worldwide now.

Every new fashion is

a form of rebellion.

There´s a fine exhibition

of costumes through the ages...

...on at the Victoria

and Albert Museum.

l think you should see it.

Also, you should see

the Museum of Natural History.

What, us lot to go to a museum?

- Sure.

- You´re joking.

You´ll discover that

your hairstyles are years old...

...and that your costumes

or your dress...

...is right out of .

Shut up!

Look, Sir, when can we go?

There´s no time after school,

and l´ve got to look after the kids.

l have to do the housework

and get the supper for the lodgers.

Me mum´s expecting a baby any day,

and l got to baby-sit.

Why don´t you take us?

We could go in the morning.

Who would like that?

What a drag!

Don´t you want a day off?

Put your hand up.

- Put both hands up.

- Fat chance!

lt wouldn´t work.

lt´s not the sort of risk

we´d dare to take at North Quay.

l would like to try, sir.

The best of pupils are inclined

to show off in public.

Your class?

You´d never be able

to supervise them.

When l took this job,

you said you wouldn´t interfere...

...as long as l stayed

within your framework.

lf you can get another staff member

to go with you...

...l´ll approach the council.

l see little hope of approval.

Thank you, sir.

Miss Blanchard, l think l can

arrange an outing with my class...

...if l can get

another teacher to go along.

l´d love to.

And it´s Gillian.

When is the outing?

When we arrange

travel warrants and permission.

Just let me know when.

Thanks, Gillian. Bye.

Good morning.

What would you like

to talk about today?

Ladies first.

Miss Joseph.

Marriage, Sir.

You know, boyfriends and things.

How do you know he´s the right one?

What to look for.

How to avoid divorce.

Don´t get married.

Where´s Miss Purcell?

She´s to look after the home today.

Her mum had the baby last night.

What hospital?

No hospital, Sir.

The doctor came to her.

She all right?

She just had a kid.

Now, marriage.

First, let us lay some ground rules.

l´ve never been married,

so what l say is as an outsider.

Now, what should a girl

look for in a man?

l think first we ought

to determine what is marriage.

Miss Joseph.

Holy wedlock.

Potter, be serious.

You´ll get your turn.

Miss Pegg.

lt´s life, isn´t it, Sir?

Everyone gets married.

l mean, sometime.

Why didn´t you marry?

No one would have him.

l was very poor.

And there was something in me

that wanted an education.

So l put all of

my energies into that.

Well, l got started later.

Just never met the right girl.

What should a girl look for

in a man?

- Miss Clark?

- What work did you do, Sir?

l waited tables.

l cooked in a hamburger joint.

l washed dishes for a time, cars.

For a year l was a janitor

in an apartment block.

- All sorts of jobs.

- You washed dishes?

l did.

But you talk posh.

- That wasn´t easy.

- You didn´t always talk like that?

When l was your age, l used a patois,

a kind of simple English.

l buy and bust your booby

if you don´t get up off of this place.

l didn´t understand a word.

Well, l don´t always understand

what you say either.

But the point is, if you work hard,

you can do almost anything.

You can get any job you want.

You can even change your speech

if you want to.

After l got my degree...

...l went to work in South America

for an oil company.

The only women in that region...

...were jungle lndians who carried

blowpipes and poison darts.

You could have broke my hands.

We were discussing marriage.

To my mind, marriage is

no way of life for the weak...

...the selfish...

...or the insecure.

What´s the matter, Weston?

These damn fool Americans!

They bog up everything

they´re connected with.

What a shower!

l´ll never forgive the President for

not coming to Churchill´s funeral...

...nor sending the vice president.

Rotten bad manners.

- Lt was very naughty.

- L quite agree.

A typically stupid, appalling

and unnecessary mistake.

- What can you expect?

- Still beefing?

Give them a chance.

They´ve not been in the business...

...of leading the world

as long as Britain was.

You continue to astonish me,

old chum.

l should thought

if anyone took a point of...

Now what?

Miss Pegg wants to know

if the netball´s fixed.

Miss who?

Barbara Pegg.

Miss Pegg, Sir.

Here you are, Fernman.

Thank you, Sir.

What´s going on in

this classroom of yours?

Suburban formality? Lt´s a bit

foreign in this neck of the woods.

Some sort of experiment

in culture for the masses?

lt´s an elementary

experiment in courtesy.

And do we ignorant critters

have to follow suit?

- Please yourself.

- Thank goodness for that!

Do you object to being

taught manners by one of the boys?

l don´t expect to be taught

by those morons.

So long as we learn,

it doesn´t matter who teaches us.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Now we´re talking.

Nothing like payday.

By the way, your museum visit

has been approved.

lf anything goes wrong,

the school suffers.

Nothing will go wrong, sir.

For a moment, l thought

l was in the wrong classroom.

Where´s Jackson?

We don´t know.

Tich wouldn´t miss this

unless he was sick or something.

We´ll give him a few minutes.

lt´s me, Jackson.

l have to take the bag-wash for mum.

Can you wait?

Sure.

How long will it take?

Half a mo.

Just up the frog.

God love you.

Hang on, Tich.

l´ll give you a hand.

All right.

Back on the sidewalk.

What´s a frog got to do with it?

lt´s a rhyming slang.

Old-fashioned cockney.

lt´s not used anymore.

Just for old people.

lt´s a drag, Sir.

Frog means road.

Frog and toad, road.

Trouble, strife, wife.

Weeping willow, pillow.

Use the first word.

Like the old currant bun,

that´s the sun.

- Apples and pears, stairs.

- Happy kill, skill.

Ginger beer, queer.

All aboard.

l think he fancies her.

l know you do.

Pamela Dare has a crush on you.

Women say the damnedest things.

l think he´s nice.

So do l.

You´ve noticed.

l don´t treat her different

from the others.

l hope we can go out again,

don´t you?

l hope so.

l hope we can go with him,

because he´s nice.

Don´t make any mistake

about Pamela.

She´s a woman

in every sense of the word.

l mean...

...not that l blame her.

Bleeding rotten taste he´s got.

Good night, Sir.

- See you tomorrow.

- Good night.

Perhaps you´d like me

to tidy your desk.

- That´s all right.

- Lt´s no trouble.

You ought to get a flat nearby.

Brentwood´s much too far away.

- There´s nice ones around.

- L´ve thought of that.

Well, l tell you what.

l´ll keep my ears open for you.

That´s kind of you,

but l´m fine for the moment.

l´ll let you know.

Thank you.

Don´t worry about your desk.

l´ll tidy it for you every day.

Thanks, but that won´t be necessary.

That´s perfectly all right.

A woman´s work is never done.

Good night, Sir.

Hi, fellas. How are you?

Good morning, Sir.

Mr. Florian has given us

permission for more outings.

l´d like to hear suggestions

of what we might do.

- The pictures.

- Wembley, Sir.

Cup Final Day.

Chamber of Horrors.

What about the Cavern?

You know, Liverpool.

The Beatles.

How´s it going?

Fine, thank you.

Don´t worry.

He´ll come with me on my day.

You´re under

a supervision order too?

Around here, that´s nothing.

Most of us have been

in front of the law.

Breaking windows, playing truant,

raising hell and cussing the coppers.

You´ve cut yourself.

You´d better put something on that.

You might get lockjaw.

Blimey!

Red blood.

What do you expect, pinhead?

lnk?

l didn´t mean no harm.

lt was a joke.

l didn´t mean no crack, Sir.

lt´s all right.

What´s with you?

Are you addressing me, Denham?

Potts was only being funny.

What you calling him pinhead for

in front of chimney sweep?

l was only joking.

Sir didn´t mind.

He said, ask anything.

You call those questions?

Always on about his color.

You´re wasting our time.

Seales, you ought to know better.

What have l done?

l didn´t say nothing.

You never do,

and you´re half-colored.

You sit on your ass

and keep your trap shut.

lf they want to know,

why don´t they ask you?

l´m not Sir, that´s why.

l only wish l was.

l know what´s eating you.

You fancy him, that´s what.

This is a fine how-do-you-do,

isn´t it, Potts?

You lay off, Denham,

you son of a bitch.

Today, l´ll show you

how to make salad.

You mean we´ve to cook and all?

Sure, why not?

My old man never cooked nothing

in his life.

He says that´s women´s work.

But suppose you´re on your own,

as you certainly will be shortly.

You´ll have to do it for yourself

sometimes, won´t you?

Not again, Sir.

This is survival training.

A normal English salad...

...not fit for human consumption,

even if you remove the slugs...

...and add a dash of the extraordinary,

a bit of mayonnaise.

Look at this.

Mum went to the doctor.

l didn´t want to miss today.

He won´t be no trouble.

lt´s all right.

Sit down.

Make room over there for her.

Okay, come on.

Never be afraid to experiment.

And always remember that

you can eat well...

...even though you´re broke.

See?

You ever been broke, Sir?

Real broke, skint?

Many, many times.

l don´t understand you a bit, Sir.

l mean...

...you´re a toff and you ain´t.

What he means is...

Blimey, l can´t sort of put it

into words or anything.

Well, Sir...

...you´re like us, but you ain´t.

l mean, you´re not.

lt´s kind of scary but nice.

You know what l mean, don´t you?

l don´t know how to answer you,

except to say...

...that l teach you truths,

my truths.

lt is kind of scary,

dealing with the truth.

Scary and dangerous.

Have you ever had a salad

with almonds and grapes...

...and tomatoes and lettuce

and pineapple?

She´s in love with you, Mark.

You shouldn´t be so surprised.

We have a lot of marvelous schools

now in the East End.

lt´s still difficult

to get quality teachers.

Take us,

the bottom of the pile.

Goodness knows we´ve had

a scruffy lot here.

Then along comes

Mr. Mark Thackeray...

...big, broad, handsome,

clean, intelligent...

...looking like

he stepped out of a bandbox.

What do you expect?

What do l do?

Nothing. Just be patient.

Thanks.

Pamela´s just finding out

she´s a grown woman.

You´re probably the only real man

she´s ever met in her life.

Don´t spend too much time

alone with her.

Why didn´t you ask Gillian?

l thought you´d be wiser.

Thanks.

Hello, Sir!

We can´t have you queuing up.

lt´s Sir. He teaches

our Moira up at North Quay.

He´s only got an hour for his lunch.

- What´ll it be?

- Half a dozen oranges.

You´ll like them.

They´re lovely.

Here you are, guv.

Penny´s wedding cake.

Jeannie´s older sister.

She got married,

so here´s a bit of cake.

Jeannie Clark.

Yes, Miss Clark.

That was a lovely museum outing.

Will they do it again?

We´re trying to arrange one a week.

That´d be lovely, won´t it?

The more education, the better.

That´s what l always say.

lt´s a proper bleeder,

what with the bomb and all.

Ain´t the bombs.

lt´s them bleeding Yanks!

Shut your gob!

My Gert´s married to a Yank.

And a proper nice gent he is, and all.

Keep your opinions to yourself!

God all bloody mighty!

The entente cordiale?

First cast the mote

out of your eye...

...before you cast the bomb

out of mine!

He´s a proper faggot.

Here you are.

You´ll like them.

Thank you.

Who´s next?

Come on, girls.

Speak up!

l was wondering if you would give

the girls some makeup lessons.

l think quite a few

of them would be...

...very pretty if they knew

how to do it.

Why, certainly!

You are getting involved

with your children, aren´t you?

l´m just trying to help.

That´s the job, isn´t it?

- You want some of this?

- No, thanks.

ls that all you´re having

for lunch?

You on a diet?

l´ll tell you, l´m a weak man.

At the moment, a little skint.

When l eat, do l love to eat!

l love wine,

but l just can´t have a glass.

l want the whole bottle.

So l avoid wine

and pastrami sandwiches...

...and baked potatoes...

...with butter and bacon...

...and strawberry shortcake

and cheesecake.

But l like to eat light for lunch.

How´s the Dare girl?

No problems.

- Will you stay on here, Mark?

- Till l get sorted out.

No luck with the jobs?

But l´m plugging away.

Remember a few weeks ago,

you thought you´d lost the battle?

l thought you had too.

There´s a good angel

looking after me.

Come on.

Sort yourselves out.

Come on, hurry up!

All right? Go!

Come on, Denham. Hurry it up.

Land on your toes.

Do it again. Next!

Next!

Buckley!

Come on, boy.

l´m not a boy.

l´m a man.

l don´t want to do it.

lt´s too high.

You´re a fat boy.

Come on.

l´m waiting.

Get that jelly off!

Fats can´t do it.

lt´s too high for him.

Of course, he can´t do it!

When l want your opinion,

l´ll ask, boy.

- L´m not a boy.

- Shut up!

Buckley, do as you´re told!

- Move out of the way, boy.

- Shut up!

ls he all right?

l don´t know.

You bloody bastard!

Put that down!

You knew Fats couldn´t do that.

You had it in for him.

Potter, put that down!

They´re fighting in the gym!

Come on, Potts!

That was no accident!

l´ll take that.

Go and help Buckley.

Go on!

Potts should have done the bastard

like he did Fats.

You all right, boy?

Yes, thank you.

Me stomach didn´t half hurt.

Jackson, lngram?

Help him up to Mrs. Evans.

All right.

What happened?

Buckley´s all right.

More frightened than anything else.

Why´d you make him do that jump?

He just stood there

and refused to obey.

When he jumped, he sent the buck flying

and l couldn´t catch him.

Thanks for helping me out.

That Potter went berserk.

l understand that Buckley is

a pet whipping boy of yours.

ls that right?

l´d better report it.

There´ll be the devil to pay.

Potter, l can´t think of anything

that excuses your behavior.

But it was him!

He made Fats do it.

Fats said he couldn´t do it.

The bully always had it in for him.

l am not concerned with

Mr. Bell´s behavior, but yours.

What if a gun or knife

had been handy?

Potter was narked.

We was all narked.

That bleeder was wrong

and you know it.

You´re missing the point.

You all are.

Soon, you will be out in the world.

Will you use a weapon every time

someone angers you?

You´re supposed to

be learning self-discipline.

You owe Mr. Bell an apology.

Why?

Just because Bell is a teacher?

You better answer that, Potter.

Do you think you behaved

like an adult?

How about Bell

apologizing to Buckley?

My business is with you,

not Mr. Bell.

lt´s easy for you to talk.

No one pushes you around.

Are you a man or a hoodlum?

Do it, Potts!

Or Bell will call the law

if you don´t.

You´ve got to have recommends

for a job in a couple weeks.

He´s got to sign one.

This has nothing

to do with what l sign.

You can´t trust a teacher.

We´re only safe together.

Against them.

But Sir is different.

lf he says Potts...

That he is, and he´s wrong now.

You all know Bell´s been after

old Fats for years.

Go on, Potts.

lf you apologize

because you´re afraid...

...then you´re a child, not a man.

When l leave,

l´ll have me own barrow.

So you can´t touch me,

letters or no letters.

l´m sorry l´m late, Sir.

But it´s me mum.

She´s dead.

l´ve been helping me dad

with her things.

- L didn´t know where to go, Sir.

- That´s all right.

lngram, take over the class.

l understand that

the passing out class holds...

...some kind of a celebration

at the end of term.

What happens?

We dance...

...Sir.

Did you apologize because of Denham?

One should fight

for what one believes...

...provided one is absolutely sure...

...one is absolutely right.

Pass these out.

You have to fill those out...

...for national health insurance

and so on.

What are you doing, Jackson?

lt´s for Seales.

For flowers and a wreath.

That´s wonderful of you.

May l be permitted

to contribute something?

No, thank you, Mr. Thackeray.

Here, Pam, you buy the wreath.

The name´s Dare.

Miss Dare.

Well, you buy the wreath.

Send it around when the time´s right.

Send it?

Aren´t you going to take it?

You don´t think

girls could take it, do you?

Well, why not?

lt´s what people would say, Sir.

What the family would say...

...if they saw us going

into a colored person´s home.

We´ve got nothing against you, Sir.

Honest.

But if one of us was to...

You can´t imagine the things be said.

Thank you, Miss Pegg,

for making it clear.

Does that apply to the men also?

You´re dead right it does.

l´ll take the flowers.

Why should you do that?

Wouldn´t that make you

subject to gossip?

Gossip don´t worry me.

l´ve known Seales since kindergarten.

l´ll take the flowers.

l wouldn´t if l were you.

l´ve been looking for you.

There´s a lady to see you.

Mrs. Dare.

And by the way, l´ve canceled

all outings for your class.

Why?

The adult approach hasn´t worked.

lt´d have been better

to let things be.

You take your boys in for P.T.

until l get a replacement.

l´m sorry to disturb you, Sir.

lt´s about Pam.

l´m Mrs. Dare.

What can l do for you?

Would you have a seat?

Would you talk to her, Sir?

l´m sure she´d listen to you.

- She´s always talking about you.

- What´s the problem?

She always stays out

late at night, Sir.

Often she doesn´t get home

till past .

She never says where she´s been.

She´s a big girl.

l´m worried about her.

She won´t listen to me.

l´m just a teacher, Mrs. Dare.

l know she´d listen to you.

lt´s always ´´Sir said this´´

or ´´Sir said that. ´´

See, she won´t listen to me.

She just won´t.

Why doesn´t her father

talk with her?

We´re divorced.

He´s up north somewhere.

He doesn´t...

lt´s not wrong to...

When your marriage breaks up,

life doesn´t end, does it?

Please talk to her, Sir.

l´m frightened for her.

You never know what sort

of trouble she can get into.

Please.

All right, l will.

Thank you.

Morning, Sir.

Hello, love.

- Morning.

- How are you? How´s the kids?

Hello, guv!

Hello, Sir.

lt´s a lovely day, isn´t it?

Your kid ain´t top of the class.

My, you look as if

you´ve won the pools.

Better!

l got me a job.

A real one for when school ends.

Assistant engineer

in a factory in the Midlands.

They even sent me the fare!

That´s marvelous.

lt´s not that good,

but it´s a start after so long.

Do you think

she´ll take the flowers?

l don´t know.

Go in. Sir wants you.

Sit down.

l´d like to talk to you.

Has my mum been in?

The funeral was Saturday, : .

About my mum, Sir?

She´s very worried about you,

Miss Dare.

Couldn´t you call me Pamela?

l think not, for the moment.

She says that

you´ve been staying out late.

l´ve just been to Gran´s.

Just around the corner, not far.

Why haven´t you told your mother?

She doesn´t care about me.

You know that´s not true.

You´re not in trouble, are you?

Nowadays that´s only for fools,

isn´t it?

We´re the luckiest kids,

the luckiest generation...

...that´s ever been, aren´t we?

We´re the first to be really free

to enjoy life if we want...

...without fear.

What is the trouble?

lf you don´t want to talk,

say the word.

lt doesn´t bother me.

lt was all right

up till about a year ago.

Of course, l miss Daddy.

He was wonderful.

But it´s just one of those things.

Mum works up in a dress shop

on the West End.

And we got on fine.

Then men friends started

calling on her.

You know what neighbors are like.

That´s all.

There´s nothing else to tell.

She doesn´t like me.

l´m in the way.

She´s young and pretty, isn´t she?

l´ll be glad to leave school

and be on my own.

Obviously, your mother loves you.

And you owe her much more

than any teacher.

l think you´re wrong about her.

Did she tell you that l found her

with one of her friends?

At home? At my home?

No, l bet she didn´t,

but she was!

l can´t solve your problems for you.

But staying out late won´t help.

lt helps me.

l can´t stand the sight of her!

And if you were me,

you´d feel the same.

l´m in no position to judge.

l know people make mistakes.

You´re saying it´s my fault?

Forgiveness is the gift of God.

People make mistakes.

lt´s up to you to make peace.

- Why should l? L´ve done nothing.

- Grow up.

Give her another chance.

Why are you taking her side?

You´re wrong not to give her a chance.

Everybody deserves that.

l thought you´d understand.

l thought l could trust you.

But you´re just as Denham said.

l´m not taking the bloody flowers!

All right.

Let´s line up here

in the center.

Could we box first today, please?

Why?

lt would make a change.

Just sort yourselves in pairs now.

Do you mind having a go with me?

Sapiano´s hurt his wrist.

That´s right. L sprained it.

l think you ought to wait and have a go

at Potter or one of the others.

He´ll be done in, Sir.

l don´t mind having

a punch-out with you.

l think you´d better

forget that for today.

Let´s go!

Let´s go.

Stay where you are!

Put your head down.

Collect the gloves and put them back.

The rest of you,

line up for vaulting.

Put your head down.

You all right?

- Come over here for a minute.

- L´m all right.

l think l´ll go wash up.

You all right, mate?

Are you sure?

Can l ask you something?

- How many times did you hit me?

- Once.

l´m sorry,

l didn´t mean to hurt you.

l lost my temper.

l was meaning to hurt you.

You did.

You´re pretty good.

Why didn´t you hit me again?

Why didn´t you fight?

You had me easy.

l´ve been after you

since you got here.

Are you afraid or something?

Hitting you wouldn´t solve much,

would it?

lt´s the truth.

l don´t understand you at all.

What´s a barrow?

A barrow? With fruit on it.

A barrow!

You was wrong about Potts.

Yes, from his point of view,

at his age, l was.

- The girls was right about the gossip.

- From their point of view.

What other point is there?

You have to figure that out

for yourself.

Would you like a job teaching

the youngsters how to box?

l´ll speak with Mr. Florian.

There will be some money for you.

Me? A bleeding teacher?

lt´s important the youngsters

know how to defend themselves.

Why are you doing this?

Good luck with your barrow.

What´s the matter?

You going to a bleeding wedding?

You don´t half pong, Potts!

- What´s up with you, Fats?

- Nothing, Bert.

Another week

and we´ll be through here.

l ain´t got a job yet.

You had the bleeder yesterday.

Lucky punch.

You got eyes in back of your head.

He could have done me

with one hand behind his back.

And none of your bleeding here.

There´s ladies present.

What Sir said about the truth,

it´s kind of scary, isn´t it?

Good morning.

About the party,

we´ve got a group and all.

And the girls is fixing the grub.

You coming?

You inviting me?

Yeah, you´re invited.

Thank you.

lf l can, l certainly will.

What you said is right,

about a man making up his own mind.

My goodness!

You certainly look lovely.

Thank you.

Would you dance with me tonight?

Of course.

But nothing too fast.

l am getting too old for that.

We´ll make it special.

Promise?

Promise.

Thank you.

Would you call me Pamela tonight?

Pamela.

Thank you.

Excuse me a minute, Bert.

lt´s Pam.

- You look marvelous!

- You look great!

- Where´s the other earring?

- Lt´s the thing.

l want to talk to the group.

Come with me?

- Why?

- Come on, l´ll tell you.

Good evening.

l hear you´re leaving.

lt´s a pity.

l´m sorry about that.

You´re damn good.

You´ve done wonders for this show.

Thank you very much.

Anybody can be an engineer,

but teaching this mob is...

l wish l had your gift.

Why so serious, Mark?

Good God, it´s Weston!

Wrap up, Clinty.

Well, l´m damned!

He wasn´t giving you

a hard time, was he?

On the contrary.

Will you wave your magic wand

and make me sweet again?

Nothing to do with me.

A fine lad.

Your hand´s in this, all right.

lf you must leave,

go to another school.

You can´t waste your talent

on electronics.

Damn!

l swore l wouldn´t interfere.

Would you like some more?

- Who made it?

- L did.

lt´s salad North Quay,

one of Sir´s special recipes.

lt´s bloody marvelous, Barbara.

l mean, Miss Pegg.

Thank you, Mr. Weston,

l´m sure.

Actually, l don´t like it.

l think it´s terrible, don´t you?

Blimey, l´m hot!

Thank you.

Excuse me, Sir.

l got the job l wanted.

That´s wonderful.

- What is it?

- Pageboy at the Hilton.

He can´t wait to get

all that Yankee money.

You´re right there.

l don´t want to be

a pageboy all me life.

Will you help me get

into night school?

l´d be glad to.

Ta, Sir.

You ain´t half a dolly, miss.

Ready, Pam.

Attention, everybody!

By special request,

it´s a lady´s choice.

Hold that, please.

Come on.

Everybody, come here.

Thank you.

Can l come and see you

sometimes, next term?

l won´t be here.

Everybody´s got to move on.

l´m glad l met you, though.

You´ve helped me a lot.

We were lucky to have you.

The whole world´s waiting for you.

You´re a smasher!

Thanks.Bye.Hold it! Listen, everybody.l´ve got an announcement.lt´s about Sir.We´d like to thank youfor all you´ve done.We´d like to give youa present to remember us by.- Come on, Babs.- You mean, Miss Pegg.

The time has comeFor closing booksAnd long last looks must endAnd as l leavel know that l am leavingMy best friendA friend who taught meRight from wrongAnd weak from strongThat´s a lot to learnWhat can l give you in return?lf you wanted the moonl would try to make a startBut l would rather you let meGive my heartTo Sir, with loveSpeech! Speech!l think l´d better goand put it away.Evening, guv.Nice, isn´t it?l´m in your bleeding classnext term.