Goodbye, Mr. Chips

I would love to give this film 10/10, it was so totally amazing! The best version I've ever seen, let down only by the fact that it made me cry! Martin Clunes gives a fabulous performance, one of his best ever. From start to finish I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. I can't wait to watch it again, can't recommend it highly enough! As I said, the only thing that lets the film down in my opinion is that its a tear-jerker. It's never a bad thing that a film can rise such strong emotions of joy, sadness or relief in you, but I hate it when I cry in films because I just feel so uncontrolled! If you don't love this film, I have to say I am utterly baffled. No scene is not compelling, no plot-line is not fascinating. All in all, if you don't like the film I really have to ask why!

I have now viewed three of the four versions of this James Hilton story. It's a wonderful story, and two superb actors (Robert Donat and Peter O'Toole) have previously played the role of Mr. Chipping (whose first name is again not mentioned this version).

Martin Clunes' effort in the role does not quite match the towering performances of the other two actors, but he's very good, and the other aspects of the production work as well as the '39 version and definitely better than the particularly flawed '69 film. Here, the logic and coherence of the story flow extremely well within less than two hours. The makeup accurately reflects the changing time period of the story exceptionally well. There is a greater emphasis on the progressive aspects of education than in the other two versions, but this emphasis contributes appropriately to the story line. The cast is uniformly excellent.

Overall, a bit less sentimental than the '39 version, which I appreciated. A worthwhile remake, and definitely worth your time - whether you've seen the other versions or not. I'd give it about 8.5 out of 10.

When I saw the ad for this, I naturally assumed this remake of the 1939 classic would be a sentimental period piece with a soundtrack replete with Elgar and choirboys. Instead I experienced one of the harshest exposes of hazing in the British public school system since If. Nothing is left to the imagination, making this movie unsuitable for anyone under 13. However, unlike the exploitative Oliver Twist miniseries that Masterpiece Theater did a few years ago, the writers did not go overboard trying to create a realistic atmosphere. This allowed a fine cast to turn in some superb performances without being overwhelmed by the plot and that's what makes this the BBC's best effort since the 1983 version of "Jane Eyre".

This is a very good film; beautifully acted. Martin Clunes was exceptional as Mr. Chipping, playing the part from a young man to an eighty year old most sensitively. Indeed, all the actors in this film played their parts well. The make-up department also deserves some kudos for their part in the transformation in age of Martin Clunes. I had seen the original version and while generally I have found that re-makes fall well below the standard of the original, this one to me, was far superior. The whole atmosphere of the film gave me a breath of the era in which it was set, and indeed made me almost sorry at the end to find myself back in 2006! I would recommend this film to any discerning viewer, with the "warning" that they must watch it with open mind and not view it with Martin Clunes previous TV characters clouding their enjoyment.

I approached this re-re-remake of Goodbye Mr Chips with a great deal of skepticism. Surely, no filmmaker could hope to pry me loose from the unforgettable Robert Donat version.

Well, they didn't. But they did impress me far more than I expected. This version of the story succeeds surprisingly well, on several counts.

* Martin Clunes is truly astonishing in the part of Chips. He doesn't make me forget Robert Donat - but he does earn a place right alongside Donat. His performance is nuanced, evocative and impeccably believable. Ably taking the character from youth to old age, Clunes *is* Chips, in a way I would not have expected. Like Donat, Clunes *will* make you cry.

* Clunes is helped by a solid script. This rendition of the book gives us much more insight into conditions at the school. There's a frank look at elitism, bullying and antiquated teaching methods. We see in some detail how Chips and his wife stand for a more modern concept of education. There's no anachronistic moralizing in this - it's integral in revealing Chips' character, which is, first and always, the essence of the story.

* The modern production is not particularly stylish, but it does give us a better feeling of immersion than the old black and white Donat film can provide. We feel more connected to the school, and more involved with Chips' trials and frustrations, simply because they're presented through a more modern lens, in greater detail and scope.

Still, the movie does have two notable faults:

* Too much time is spent on World War I and its impact on the school. The movie's anti-war statements and historical perspective are absolutely valid and necessary, but they could have been presented more concisely. One particularly unlikely incident in the school's courtyard could easily have been omitted.

* The final sequence, showing Chips' in his old age, is also a bit longer than it might have been. Sometimes, less is more.

These relatively minor structural problems prevent me from giving this version of Goodbye Mr Chips a perfect 10 score. However, the movie is well worth seeing for its fine attention to historical detail, and for Clunes' resoundingly 10 out of 10 performance.