Conrack

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Conrack

PG,

1974,

1h 47m,

Drama

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Watchlist

67%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

250+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In this uplifting drama based on the memoir "The Water is Wide," Pat Conroy accepts a teaching position on an isolated island in South Carolina. There he finds a class of black students who are not only illiterate, but also wanting for simple personal hygiene. Conroy contradicts the lax institutional standards and exposes his students to a wide range of topics, but those in power do not take kindly to his efforts to overturn their racist policies.

Patrick Gibbs

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Apr 2, 2026

Small children should be protected from such whimsicality. Audiences, too, I might add.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 21, 2023

It's a firsthand story, and Ritt and the Ravetches have kept the bloom on it, even with the addition of their secondhand touches.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Aug 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.

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George Anderson

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sep 24, 2024

It is such an exhilarating story and Jon Voight's performance is so irresistibly engaging that the film ranks as one of the season's best.

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Dick Lochte

Los Angeles Free Press

Dec 16, 2019

The film was about as out of sync and unnecessary as John Lennon's showtime repartee.

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Aug 27, 2013

2/5

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.

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Jan 31, 2019

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Jul 29, 2018

Just saw this again the other night thanks to TCM. My wife and I watched it together. Me for the third time and she for the first. She loved it and so did I (again) Just a wonderful period piece. The kids. John Voight, Paul Winfield and the entire cast were perfect. Highly recommend.

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Han M

Sep 17, 2017

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.

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Harry W

Apr 30, 2017

The original movie theme about a white teacher that tries to save a group of black kids from poverty. The racism here is really well done. The ending is perfect.

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Anakin W

Mar 11, 2010

Jon Voight stars as an unconventional but well-intentioned teacher who finds a way to connect with his students. It's a fine realistic drama. (First and only viewing - 1/17/2017)

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Martin Ritt

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Jon Voight

Pat Conroy

Paul Winfield

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Synopsis

In this uplifting drama based on the memoir "The Water is Wide," Pat Conroy accepts a teaching position on an isolated island in South Carolina. There he finds a class of black students who are not only illiterate, but also wanting for simple personal hygiene. Conroy contradicts the lax institutional standards and exposes his students to a wide range of topics, but those in power do not take kindly to his efforts to overturn their racist policies.

Director: Martin Ritt
Producer: Martin Ritt
Screenwriter: Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 1974, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2019
Runtime: 1h 47m

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