The Class of Miss MacMichael

The Class of Miss MacMichael
Directed by Silvio Narizzano
Produced by Judd Bernard
Written by Judd Bernard
Starring
Music by Stanley Myers
Cinematography Alex Thomson
Edited by Max Benedict
Production
company
Kettledrum Films
Distributed by Gala Film Distributors
Release dates
  • 27 January 1979 (1979-01-27) (USA)
Running time
94 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

The Class of Miss MacMichael is a 1978 British comedy drama film directed by Silvio Narizzano and starring Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed and Michael Murphy.[1] It was based on a novel by Sandy Hutson. The film depicts the attempts of an idealistic teacher, Miss MacMichael, to inspire her pupils in an inner-city London school.

Cast

Production

Although the film was shot in Britain it was financed in the United States.[2]

Reception

Reviews of the film were mostly negative, dismissing the film as routine and predictable, and criticizing Oliver Reed's role and performance.

Janet Maslin in the New York Times wrote, "Brut productions, which once brought you Glenda Jackson in 'A Touch of Class,' this time presents her in circumstances that are decidedly déclassé...Miss Jackson does nothing here that she hasn't done better elsewhere."[3] Variety criticized the film as " Treading the usual characterizations and situations," but added, "Though predictable, and the script serviceable for this of-treated theme, with direction average, it has Glenda Jackson adding her presence to the part of a dedicated teacher who eschews a second marriage to stay with her impossible charges."[4] Time Out denounced the film, writing "Reed, as the neo-fascist headmaster of a school for delinquents, parodies his boorish film persona to the point of farce, alternately strutting around like a boiled turkey or oiling his way with the school's visitors, while Jackson goes at her role of committed teacher/lone befriender of kids with jaw-forward heartiness. Add to this conflict in styles the film's confused intentions -- black comedy, the horrific realities of reform schools, a sentimental belief that understanding will overcome - and you have a mess."[5]

References

  1. http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/60816
  2. PRODUCTION INCREASES: Fog Lifts on British Film Industry Tuohy, William. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, California], 30 December 1977, p. G1.


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