Conrack follows a young teacher, Pat Conroy, in 1969 assigned to isolated 'Yamacraw Island' off the coast of South Carolina and populated mostly by poor black familes. He has to find a way to get through to the uninterested kids and teach them what they need to know and also to keep on the good side of the school superintendent, who doesn't want him there.
4 January 1914, Frankfort, Indiana, USA
28 April 1938, Kingston, Jamaica
23 April 1951, Chicago, Illinois, USA
29 December 1938, Yonkers, New York, USA
14 August 1946, New York City, New York, USA
21 August 1944, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
18 July 1911, London, Ontario, Canada
January 14, 2008
As a former Group Theatre actor, [Ritt] understands the problems of actors and has been able to elicit outstanding performances from people one would not expect depth from.
February 09, 2006
The potentially dubious aspects of the subject are mostly exorcised, in part by a strong script (adapted from the book by real-life teacher Pat Conroy), but largely by the engaging and persuasive performance Ritt draws from Voight.
May 09, 2005
Despite Mr. Voight's skill, the teacher's character never jells.
August 27, 2013
The spirit behind Conrack is so relentlessly idealistic in tone and uplifting in intent that one feels vaguely guilty for not responding to the film generously and forgivingly.
January 01, 2000
It misses by less than a mile, but it misses.
May 24, 2003
The whole cast are inspired and the production values outstanding.
January 18, 2004
An unusually human movie that ought to be talked about by everyone concerned with the real meaning of education, communication, and a full rich vision of life
January 14, 2008
Few will totally resist the surefire appeal of this latest variation on Pygmalion mythology.
August 27, 2013
Martin Ritt's movie is often sentimental and hectoring, ramming home the contrast between Voight's comfy, secure rebellion against the Vietnam War and the utter destitution and backwardness of his pupils.
