Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

The somewhat underrated Leslie Bricusse wrote some truly terrific songs in movies as well as on stage

This is a movie for all ages have always loved it and the story line!

Watching this brings back a time well past.

Terence Rattigan wrote a wonderful screenplay, perhaps his best, and that's saying a lot because he was one of my all time favorite playwrights and screenwriters. He knew what lonely people are all about, you can see that everywhere in his screen work from THE BROWNING VERSION to THE WAY TO THE STARS to THE YELLOW ROLLS ROYCE, and he has written a wonderful part for Peter O'Toole, based of course on the Hilton novel and the 1939 film script which starred Robert Donat as "Chips."Here O'Toole is cold, icy, hateful at the beginning of the film, a Latin teacher at "Brookfield Academy," not the warmest environment anyway, but we quickly see that no one likes O'Toole for himself, and few give him a chance to show the warm personality that lies frozen underneath. Rattigan helps us understand that even the least approachable and apparently self-satisfied person may secretly be suffering agonies of self-consciousness, particularly in the class-ridden society that was England before WWII. When Chips meets Katherine, the dance hall soubrette played by Petula Clark here, it's an unlikely pairing, but Rattigan makes it work. She's curious, and she takes the time to get to know him. She manages to make him forget all about his precious boys for a little while and to fall in love with her. She's wise enough to understand that he is a teacher first and foremost and he's addicted to those boys. Perhaps they could remake this musical today and cast Michael Jackson as Chips and Lisa Marie Presley as Katherine. They would each be great in the part. I would love to hear Lisa Marie sing "You And I," Petula Clark's great signature tune from this film.Herbert Ross made many memorable films during his career. He was a choreographer first, not an especially good one, and he soon gravitated towards direction. GOODBYE MR CHIPS remains one of his very finest projects, but for me, the distinction of the film is all to the credit of the two stars (and of Michael Redgrave, who plays the headmaster of "Brookfield" with a strange and almost desperate gallantry) and of course Terence Rattigan, who had to re-imagine the whole thing for a post war audience.

The DVDHooray! Warner has delivered the original widescreen restored road show version of the film. The extras, unfortunately, are just trailers and, sadly there is no commentary (especially as Petula Clark, Peter O'Toole and Leslie Bricusse are all still around and have a well-known fondness for this project). The visuals look a bit soft -but they were shot that way, mostly with long lenses on a fast film stock.The Movie"Goodbye, Mr. Chips" is a lovely, sentimental story of a quiet, some might say even ordinary, man.Producer Arthur P. Jacobs put the production in the hands of first time directory Herbert Ross (later to direct "The Goodbye Girl " and just about every Neil Simon movie in the 70's and 80's). Ross wanted to incorporate the way songs were used in films like "The Graduate" and" Easy Rider"; as counterpoint and commentary on the action, rather than being sung on screen. As with most first time directors the end results are mixed - but what's good is very good indeed.The rock solid core of the movie is Peter O'Toole's portrayal of schoolmaster Arthur Chipping. Just watch his final speech as headmaster at the end of the movie: a man slowed by advanced age (in his 70's?) but mentally facile; characteristically stoic but capable of deep emotion. Then remind yourself: this part is being played by a 36-year-old Irishman, who a year earlier was the rowdy, forceful King Henry II in "Lion in Winter" . The proper, introverted Mr. Chipping is a world away from that lusty king - but always vividly real.Petula Clark contributes an earthy emotional counterpoint to Chips stuffiness. She's in great voice and completely convincing as the stage star who's sampled the good life and found it wanting. The script doesn't do her any favors in slathering on the whole "a real woman gives up her career and finds fulfillment in the love of her man" theme . But Pet makes me believe that the choices are on her terms.And what can you say about Sian Phillips scenery-chewing cameo as a 1920's stage vamp, Ursula Mossbank? At their last leave taking, she calls out over her shoulder as she heads out the door, "Well I'll see you tomorrow, or next week, or in heaven or somewhere...". Chips replies, "In heaven, certainly", smiling at Kathrine.The music: I love "Walk Through the World", "Schooldays", "Fill the World With Love" and the moody "Where Did My Childhood Go". And I can't step off a plane at Heathrow without the catchy lyrics to "London is London" spinning in my head. On the other hand, I can definitely live without "The Sky Smiled". To make matters worse, Ross zooms in and out throughout this number like a first-time father with a new camcorder. Even so, John Williams orchestrates and scores the film with the dramatic style he would later bring to his own scores in the next decade.Backstage note: Some have asked, "Why make a musical of Goodby, Mr. Chips?" Arthur P. Jacobs' answer in 1964 was this: Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews directed by Vincent Minnelli with a score by Andre Previn. But finding the right format and score was difficult, with Previn writing and discarding songs. Jacobs had to go forward with other projects ("Dr. Doolittle" and "Planet of the Apes") and as a result he lost both his stars. Richard Burton stepped in, then Leslie Bricusse replaced Previn as composer. Petula Clark signed on. Burton out; Peter O'Toole in. And I, for one, couldn't be happier that he took up the part.Fan note: Did you know that there is a 3 CD set of the entire score (songs and background music) PLUS the contents of the original soundtrack LP PLUS outtakes, alternate versions, and interviews with Leslie Bricusse and the cast: Goodbye, Mr. Chips If Amazon doesn't have it then Google for it.

THE VERY SECURE PACKAGING AND QUICK EFFICIENT DELIVERY SURPASSES MANY OTHER COMPANIESDEALING WITH AMAZON.CA.THE DVD WAS A PLEASURE TO WATCH--TERRIFIC CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SOUND. THANK YOU.H MCINTOSH

Film stupendo che tutti dovrebbero vedere

Je connaissais le film mais je ne l'avais pas en dvd ,Peter O'Toole dans un rôle tout à fait différent mais magnifique et ma chanteuse actrice préférée depuis toujours Petula Clark..

This is more than what we are today. It's about a world your grandparents would remember. The question is: Can Love survive in a world gone mad? It's beautifully put together and acted out. Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark are superb. Set against the backdrop of WWII and the Boy's school, there is great scope contained herein and definite impacts on all those involved. Ladies and all romantics, this will touch your heart. They don't make them like this anymore.

I have always loved this film, but I have had to wait 30 odd years to get it on DVD. And it was worth it.