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From Amazon.co.uk
The first film adaptation of James Hilton's British school saga, Goodbye Mr Chips is a genuine Hollywood classic. Despite competition from Gone with the Wind, The Four Feathers and The Wizard of Oz (all 1939) the film won a Best Actor Oscar for Robert Donat and six further major nominations. Donat, who had previously starred in Hilton adaptation Knight Without Armour (1937), is superb as a beloved public-school Latin teacher in an episodic tale spanning 1870-1933. From initially incompetent young teacher, he meets his wife (well played by Greer Garson) during an extended idyll in Austria, only to endure the horror of former pupils becoming victims of the Great War.
Though studio-bound and sentimental by current standards, Goodbye Mr Chips contains great warmth and humanity, and is eventually extremely moving. There is an excellent score by Richard Addinsell, and the evocation of the tragedy of 1914-18, together with Chips' friendship with German teacher Staefel (Paul Henreid), must have struck a truly resonant note in 1939. James Hilton had previously been responsible for Lost Horizon (1937), and oddly both that film and Chips would be remade as musicals, in 1973 and 1969 respectively. Chips would again emerge as a BBC serial (1984) and a 2002 TV movie starring Martin Clunes; but for many this original screen version will always remain the best.
On the DVD: Goodbye Mr Chips is presented on a basic disc with the only extras being an alternative French soundtrack and various subtitle options, including English for hard of hearing. The mono sound is fairly good, though there is occasional distortion on the music. The b/w picture is transferred in the original Academy ratio but the print used shows frequent, though minor, damage. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
This film was nominated for seven Oscars with Robert Donat, as the shy schoolmaster Charles Edward Chipping, winning Best Actor over Clarke Gable. Chippings is new Latin teacher at Brookfield School in 1870 who leads rather a mundane life until he meets and falls in love with Katherine (screen debutante Greer Garson) on a walking holiday in the Alps. She finally brings him happiness, but tragedy is looming for the beloved Mr Chips. Remade in 1969 with Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark as a musical.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By David R. Bishop
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
If ever a film showcased a great talent it was 'Goodbye Mr Chips' and Robert Donat.
His performance is engaging and credible. From a young insecure new teacher, to a stale middle aged man, whose life is turned around by love, to an eccentric but lovable old fellow, Robert Donat takes you on a wonderful journey. He is in nearly every scene.
He deserved the Oscar he won. When you consider that Clark Gable was also Oscar nominated in 1939 for 'Gone With The Wind', you begin to realise what a great performance he gives.
Greer Garson's role is fairly small, but pivotal. She is on screen for surprisingly a short time, but makes a great impact.
The film shows a world long gone, if it ever existed, but Donat's great acting raises it well above sentimental. The end however, will move the tender hearted to tears.
His performance is engaging and credible. From a young insecure new teacher, to a stale middle aged man, whose life is turned around by love, to an eccentric but lovable old fellow, Robert Donat takes you on a wonderful journey. He is in nearly every scene.
He deserved the Oscar he won. When you consider that Clark Gable was also Oscar nominated in 1939 for 'Gone With The Wind', you begin to realise what a great performance he gives.
Greer Garson's role is fairly small, but pivotal. She is on screen for surprisingly a short time, but makes a great impact.
The film shows a world long gone, if it ever existed, but Donat's great acting raises it well above sentimental. The end however, will move the tender hearted to tears.
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Being a male student (and having had this film recommended by his mother because it 'moved' her) I came into this film a little wary.
It starts a little slow but the story develops at a much quicker pace throughout. Its' comedy edges are still as funny today as i am sure they were when it was made. Robert Donat is excellent as 'chips' and equals his quality of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps. The chemistry between him and Greer Garson is excellent and the power of the scenes makes you feel really close to 'chips'. The sounds is a little wayward at times, but in the main the DVD is excellent. To be fair this film has 'moved' me and I feel it is one which will stick in my mind for a while to come.
Only one problem is the lack of extras. Actors' profiles would have been nice, but it's only a minor complaint.
An excellent film, one I recommend whole-heartedly.
It starts a little slow but the story develops at a much quicker pace throughout. Its' comedy edges are still as funny today as i am sure they were when it was made. Robert Donat is excellent as 'chips' and equals his quality of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps. The chemistry between him and Greer Garson is excellent and the power of the scenes makes you feel really close to 'chips'. The sounds is a little wayward at times, but in the main the DVD is excellent. To be fair this film has 'moved' me and I feel it is one which will stick in my mind for a while to come.
Only one problem is the lack of extras. Actors' profiles would have been nice, but it's only a minor complaint.
An excellent film, one I recommend whole-heartedly.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By bernie
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This is the story of the 60 plus year life of a school teacher, Mr. Chipping (Robert Donat), from neophyte teacher to hopefully Head Master. On his way he will make several mistakes and learn from them. The movie has the feel of several stories running in series that all tie in to Chipping's life. He is also destined to meet the love of his life Katherine (Greer Garson) and see that the Danube is blue.
I do not want to go into a detail as that is the fun in watching eh stories unfold however I think it is significant when Chipping and Katherine are alone on the top of the world and time stops finding them selves in eternity. He also gets an insight or different slant of his carrier.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden oldies
Bought this for my elderly mother in law who loves these sort of films.
They are hard to get on DVD . Great buy. Would recommend .
Very quick on delivery.
They are hard to get on DVD . Great buy. Would recommend .
Very quick on delivery.
Published 8 hours ago by Chrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great DVD and Great Actors Need l Say More!
First class story and first class acting the original not a remake! This is and will always remain the best of the best, the way films should always be made.
Published 9 days ago by AceiShop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr Chips.
Worth every penny and made me cry. Was filmed near to where I live at Repton school. Loved it. Very nostalgic.
Published 25 days ago by elaine summerhayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant film
Lovely film arrived on time no problems one of the best original black and white films of its time. Brilliant
Published 26 days ago by mrs a hardman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking!
A most touching account of a teachers life in the early twentieth century. Robert Donat is perfect for the role. Get your tissues ready you will need them!
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. S. J. Bulloch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goodbye Mr Chips
Bought this for my husband, still think it is the best version of this film, having only ever seen it on television wanted to seethe film without breaks for adverts. Brilliant
Published 3 months ago by Rose Bunting
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr Chips
I saw this film as a child, so was very pleased to buy and watch it again as an adult. And found my love for the story and this film adaptation as strong as ever. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Geraldine Le Roes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goodbye Mr. Chips.
Fantastic film. Enjoyed every moment of it. Will watch it again was so enjoyable.One of the best films I have ever watched!
Published 3 months ago by marymccracken
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good name to rember for quizes
Bought for someone else so I cannot comment but she liked it then and still likes it. Why Ill never know
Published 4 months ago by D ANDERSON
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent a good old fashioned Film
Brilliant cast and a lovely film to watch on a winters afternoon.Lovely old fashioned and a great tail.The quality of the DVD is very good on large screens
Published 4 months ago by SeanWebster
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