The Corn Is Green (1979)

A spinster school teacher (Katharine Hepburn) opens up a school in a mining town in Wales. When she discovers a promising student (Ian Saynor), a young miner seemingly destined for a life of hard work in the mines, she is determined to see him fulfill his potential. Based on the play by Emlyn Williams (NIGHT MUST FALL) and directed by George Cukor (MY FAIR LADY). With the rare exception, movies about inspirational teachers who overcome resistance and help seemingly unreachable students have never appealed to me. This one is no different and indeed is a textbook example of why I don't care much for them. I didn't buy Katharine Hepburn as a schoolmarm in Wales for a minute, it was Kate Hepburn doing a star turn. A great star she is but she seems out place in this simple tale of a teacher helping a student to better himself. Of course, she'll push him to his limits, she's Katharine Hepburn who doesn't take guff from anybody! Even the reliable John Barry can't seem to muster up much enthusiasm in his tired underscore. With Anna Massey, Bill Fraser, Patricia Hayes and Toyah Willcox.