Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1473 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-02-16
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 109 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
One more terrific film from a terrific year for movies--1939, the year of Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz and Stagecoach, among others--Sam Wood's Goodbye Mr Chips is a deeply stirring work starring Robert Donat as the old schoolmaster who looks back upon his life. Told mostly in flashbacks, the film wraps itself around a history of an older England as seen through the generations of boys who pass through Mr Chips's classroom. Greer Garson is her usual classy, sexy-intelligent self as Donat's wife, their earlier courtship one of the film's highlights. Get a box of tissues at the ready, for this one. --Tom Keogh

Amazon.co.uk Review
The first film adaptation of James Hilton's British school saga, Goodbye Mr Chips is a genuine Hollywood classic. Despite competition from Gone with the Wind, The Four Feathers and The Wizard of Oz (all 1939) the film won a Best Actor Oscar for Robert Donat and six further major nominations. Donat, who had previously starred in Hilton adaptation Knight Without Armour (1937), is superb as a beloved public-school Latin teacher in an episodic tale spanning 1870-1933. From initially incompetent young teacher, he meets his wife (well played by Greer Garson) during an extended idyll in Austria, only to endure the horror of former pupils becoming victims of the Great War.

Though studio-bound and sentimental by current standards, Goodbye Mr Chips contains great warmth and humanity, and is eventually extremely moving. There is an excellent score by Richard Addinsell, and the evocation of the tragedy of 1914-18, together with Chips' friendship with German teacher Staefel (Paul Henreid), must have struck a truly resonant note in 1939. James Hilton had previously been responsible for Lost Horizon (1937), and oddly both that film and Chips would be remade as musicals, in 1973 and 1969 respectively. Chips would again emerge as a BBC serial (1984) and a 2002 TV movie starring Martin Clunes; but for many this original screen version will always remain the best.

On the DVD: Goodbye Mr Chips is presented on a basic disc with the only extras being an alternative French soundtrack and various subtitle options, including English for hard of hearing. The mono sound is fairly good, though there is occasional distortion on the music. The b/w picture is transferred in the original Academy ratio but the print used shows frequent, though minor, damage. --Gary S Dalkin

Synopsis
Based on the novel by James Hilton, GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS is the story of a shy schoolteacher who dedicates his life to his boys. In an Oscar-winning performance, Robert Donat plays Mr. Chipping, a young classics scholar en route to his first assignment at the reputable Brookfield school. Although his first interactions with the boys go miserably, he remains determined to become headmaster. But Chipping is simply too stuck on propriety to ever become popular with the students. Depressed, Chipping goes hiking in the Tyrols, where he meets Katherine Ellis (Greer Garson, in her first screen role). The two meet again on the Danube in Vienna, where they waltz the night away and kiss for the first time. Katherine becomes Mrs. Chipping, and she renames him Mr. Chips when they return together to Brookfield. Over time, the charming Mrs. Chipping turns Mr. Chips into an amiable gentleman who is adored by his pupils. But just when the world looks its rosiest, the depths of tragedy await Mr. Chips. Directed by Sam Wood, GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 1939.

Customer Reviews

A Classic!
This is one of my all-time favourite films. The exquisite, and occasionally poignant, story of a public school teacher (Mr Chipping - played wonderfully by Robert Donat) who is brought out of his stuffy mediocrity by his new young wife. We share the harsh reality of life's tribulations, including the generations of boys that pass through the school and the many young men who eagerly go off to war, never to return. The supporting cast are really wonderful, particularly Greer Garson and Paul Henreid. This is a sentimental film, but truly heartwarming. Highly recommended.

IMAGINE!
In many ways, this could be Hollywood's most unrealistic film ever.Imagine a black and white film, done in 1939, with a lead female named Greer and a young Oscar winner, whose name reminds one of a driive-in donut shop. Imagine a movie with no sex, no overt violence,tragedy and disappointment borne with dignity, and absolutely no vulgarity. Imagine also: teaching being portrayed as a noble profession,tea on Sunday at 4 p.m.then Chapel at 6p.m., no radio, no television, no N.F.L! Further, history and classics being given a place in education,computers not existing,nobody chasing anyone,characters all seeming quite real.But the final straw comes with young men being sent overseas to fight and die in a ridiculous war, bombs going off on school grounds, and Chips on his deathbed (humans like him never die,do they)? In short, about the only realitic thing to do with this film is to see it while killing time before "Ski Party" comes on for the millionth time.And, in the true spirit of non-realism,give "Chips" 6 stars out of a possible 5.

An Oscar for a Great Briton
If ever a film showcased a great talent it was 'Goodbye Mr Chips' and Robert Donat.

His performance is engaging and credible. From a young insecure new teacher, to a staid middle aged man, whose life is turned around by love, to an eccentric but lovable old fellow, Robert Donat takes you on a wonderful journey. He is in nearly every scene.

He deserved the Oscar he won. When you consider that Clark Gable was also Oscar nominated in 1939 for 'Gone With The Wind', you begin to realise what a great performance he gives.

Greer Garson's role is fairly small, but pivotal. She is on screen for surprisingly a short time, but makes a great impact.

The film shows a world long gone, if it ever existed, but Donat's great acting raises it well above sentimental. The end however, will move the tender hearted to tears.