The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Seen it?1969 | 116 min | Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won an Oscar, it earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office flop. 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 anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Dead Poets Society or Priscilla, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1969: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A headstrong young teacher in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh ignores the curriculum and influences her impressionable 12-year-old charges with her over-romanticized worldview.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Actress. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Original Song – Motion Picture. Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 Cannes award. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$3 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 132K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Dead Poets Society
Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved coming-of-age drama.
The Miracle Worker Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama that fewer people know today.
Priscilla Saturday SpecialAnother coming-of-age drama, and a Saturday Special.
I Swear Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
The Ron Clark Story Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Ronald Neame
- Maggie SmithJean Brodie
- Robert StephensTeddy Lloyd
- Pamela FranklinSandy
- Celia JohnsonMiss Mackay
- Gordon JacksonGordon Lowther
- Diane GraysonJenny
- Jane CarrMary McGregor
- Shirley SteedmanMonica
- Ann WayMiss Gaunt
- Heather SeymourClara