Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) Reviews

Goodbye Mr. Chips was one of the many amazing films made in one of the greatest years in movie history, 1939. The story is about a teacher, Mr. Chipping. The movie goes through his life from when he starts teaching to his death. We get to see his first day teaching, see him fall in love, and finally see him peacefully think back on his life. What makes the film is Robert Donat's performance. His portrayal of Mr. Chipping seems so very real and made me fall in love with the character. He even won an Oscar for this role, beating out James Stewart, Clark Gable, and Laurence Olivier. Greer Garson is fabulous as well, as she always is. This movie is definitely not to be missed.
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Seeing for the first time in 2008 I was enthralled and amazed to realize the impact this film has had even decades later. The Great Hall at Hogwarts School in "Harry Potter" films looks like it was modeled after the great hall in the Brookfield school in this film. Also, verses in the Pink Floyd pop hit, "Brick in the Wall" sound like they were influenced by a song sung by the school boys in this as they were let out for the summer. Plus, in an early scene in the Alps, the music and scenery are remarkably similar to the opening montage in the film, "The Sound of Music". This is a beautifully told story of a shy man's life, marriage, and career as a teacher/mentor at a post Victorian era boys school. YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM. The settings, the acting, the history are absolutely priceless. This is beautiful Greer Garson's first film. It has Paul Henried (from numerous notable classics), and the star, Robert Donat, won best actor Oscar beating out Clark Gable (Gone With the Wind).
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Your children need to know such a high level adult conduct. Such people portrayed here have lived to the benefit of every person whose lives came into contact with their own, and to the detriment of none. Greer Garson personifies lady like virtue, both brains and beauty.
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