MAGGIE SMITH is excellent as a highly dedicated teacher full of idealized traits who wants to transfer all of her moral and political philosophies to her Scottish girl students in the '30s.
It's a very timely theme when you consider how so many in the teaching profession take it upon themselves to impress their own political and moral views on their students. It's happening all the time at universities and colleges where liberal viewpoints are being paraded on a daily basis.
She makes the mistake of making one of the girls her confidante, telling her she would make an excellent spy. The girl (PAMELA FRANKLIN) has an astonishing and exceedingly well acted scene later in the film, the final confrontation between her and Miss Brodie which gives the story a clarification of just what Miss Brodie's faults have wrought upon her students.
Frankly, I think Pamela Franklin was overlooked when it came to handing out awards. She's undoubtedly a very fine actress and should have had a supporting role Oscar.
Lensed in fine Technicolor, the film is full of colorful and witty dialogue, providing as many chuckles as it does drama. CELIA JOHNSON is amazing as Miss Mackay, head mistress of the school who wants to get rid of her progressive-minded teacher.
All in all, a film full of moral ambiguities surrounding the character of Miss Brodie, whose dedicated professionalism is undermined by her foolish eccentricities and poor judgment concerning the political realities of the time.
It's a very timely theme when you consider how so many in the teaching profession take it upon themselves to impress their own political and moral views on their students. It's happening all the time at universities and colleges where liberal viewpoints are being paraded on a daily basis.
She makes the mistake of making one of the girls her confidante, telling her she would make an excellent spy. The girl (PAMELA FRANKLIN) has an astonishing and exceedingly well acted scene later in the film, the final confrontation between her and Miss Brodie which gives the story a clarification of just what Miss Brodie's faults have wrought upon her students.
Frankly, I think Pamela Franklin was overlooked when it came to handing out awards. She's undoubtedly a very fine actress and should have had a supporting role Oscar.
Lensed in fine Technicolor, the film is full of colorful and witty dialogue, providing as many chuckles as it does drama. CELIA JOHNSON is amazing as Miss Mackay, head mistress of the school who wants to get rid of her progressive-minded teacher.
All in all, a film full of moral ambiguities surrounding the character of Miss Brodie, whose dedicated professionalism is undermined by her foolish eccentricities and poor judgment concerning the political realities of the time.