Blackboard Jungle
Seen it?1955 | 101 min | Crime, Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Bad Boys or Sleepers, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1955: an older pace and style.
Richard Dadier is a teacher at North Manual High School, an inner-city school where many of the pupils frequently engage in anti-social behavior. Dadier makes various attempts to engage the students' interest in education, challenging both the school staff and the pupils. He is subjected to violence as well as duplicitous schemes.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 4 Oscars and 1 WGA Award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$8 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 91K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Richard Brooks
- Glenn FordRichard Dadier
- Anne FrancisAnn Dadier
- Louis CalhernJim Murdock
- Margaret HayesLois Judby Hammond
- John HoytMr. Warneke
- Richard KileyJoshua Y. Edwards
- Emile MeyerMr. Halloran
- Warner AndersonDr. Bradley
- Basil RuysdaelProf. A.R. Kraal
- Sidney PoitierGregory W. Miller