Conrack (1974)

“As for my kids, I don’t think I changed the quality of their lives significantly, or altered the fact that they have no share in the country that claimed them – the country that’s failed them. All I know is I felt much beauty in my time with them.” – Pat Conroy

Number of Times Seen – 1 (8 Mar 2022)

Brief Synopsis – Based on the true story of an aspiring writer who is sent to teach a group of poor kids in a rural area.

My Take on it – Pat Conroy is an author who wrote some of my favorite books that I read when I was a kid.

This movie is actually an adaptation of his very first novel which was about his experiences as a teacher in a rural community.

Jon Voight is great in the title role and he allows the viewer to get an understanding as to how and why he has decided to move to this place to teach.

The way that he tries to get through to his students is done well and shows that there are sometimes unconventional ways to get through to a student.

The problem here tho is that none of the characters feel developed well enough and they use typical stereotypes in order to quickly show who each of the characters are and what their goals on instead of finding a way to endear them all to the viewer which seems like a missed opportunity.

In addition to Voight, this film also feature Hume Cronyn, Paul Winfield and Madge Sinclair, but their roles also seem too tailor made for stereotypes.

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – In a 2007 interview on the Dennis Miller Radio Show, Jon Voight recalled a reunion that was held twenty years after the release of the movie, with all of the available actors and actresses. Of the twenty-one actors and actresses who portrayed students, at the time of the reunion, three were teachers. (From IMDB)

Rating – BAFTA Worthy (5/10)