Watching Sidney Poitier on screen generates a feeling as powerful as it is describable. It’s about the energy caused by those big golden Hollywood stars that they added an overwhelming talent to their indisputable presence. They filled every space, amazed with the slightest gesture, moved with overwhelming ease and made each of the characters that fell into their hands credible.
The 10 essential films of Sidney Poitier
1 “Guess who’s coming tonight”
Winner of two indisputable Oscars, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Outstanding Katharine Hepburn, and nominated for eight other statuettes, ‘Guess Who’s Coming Tonight’ is one of those films where all the elements work to the best of their ability. In both its romantic comedy profile and its obvious racism-related social discourse, this absolute gem is also one of the high points of Sidney Poitier’s filmography, actor who here has managed to make something as complex and complicated seem simple as signing an indisputable performance.
Guess who’s coming to eCartelera tonight
Two ‘Seed of Evil’
The first major interpretation of Sidney Poitier’s career is found in ‘Seed of Evil’, an extraordinary film directed in the mid-1950s by Richard Brooks. A project in which the aforementioned actor faced a giant of Glenn Ford’s stature, who came out victorious and strengthened by the battle. A magnificent work where the dimensions of Poitier’s talent were already perceived.
Seed of Evil in eCartelera
3 ‘In the heat of the night’
Fantastic detective thriller which wowed critics, audiences and the academy, won five statuettes including Best Picture, ‘In the heat of the night’ is still a horrendous proposition to find something like a failure. Compact in staging, precise in handling intrigues, brilliant in plot development and with a splendid ensemble of performers, the Norman Jewison-directed film is a classic for many reasons. And among these it is worth emphasizing, of course, the extraordinary interpretation of a giant Sidney Poitier.
In the heat of the night in eCartelera
4 ‘The lilies of the valley’
beyond what story of Sidney Poitier’s victory in the Best Actor category at the Oscars, ‘I lilies of the valley’ is another of those films that would not be understood, or would lose much of its value, without the presence of its protagonist. An actor far above this light rural drama and whose work alone justifies the time spent watching it.
Lilies of the valley in eCartelera
5 ‘A ray of light’
Written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, standing, ‘A Ray of Light’ is a real joy from start to finish. A wonderful script, a staging with the typical elegance of the house, memorable characters and a cast to match where the character and strength of a Sidney Poitier located beyond the praises shines with special intensity.
A ray of light in eCartelera
6 ‘A splash of blue’
Beautiful work in every sense, ‘A remnant of blue’ achieves the most difficult but avoiding the many traps that a story with these characteristics could have fallen into. A proposal of extraordinary sensitivity like the interpretations of its two protagonists, the immense Elizabeth Hartman and a sublime Sidney Poitier. Marvelous.
7 ‘Rebellion in the Classes’
Brilliant adaptation of ER Braithwaite’s novel, ‘Rebellion in the classrooms’ supposes one of the great commercial successes of Sidney Poitier’s career and one of his most memorable performances. Right. An exemplary work in which the actor brings out his incomparable talent and presence to elevate a story that ends up moving without artifice or deceit. An exemplary and always enjoyable film.
Rebellion in the classrooms of eCartelera
8 “Fugitives”
After the fantastic “You won’t be a stranger” and the (very) erratic “Pride and Passion”, the highly inspired Stanley Kramer has signed his first truly essential film with “Fugitives”, an extraordinary story of friendship, tolerance, racism and loyalty with two titans like Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier. A duo of stars who offer truly superb interpretations herealso acting as the engine and heart of a story that, from its first unforgettable minutes, releases the unmistakable scent of the classics.
The fugitives in eCartelera
9 “Porgy and Bess”
Despite being a clearly minor work within Otto Preminger’s fascinating filmography, especially when we take into account that it came out the same year as his great masterpiece, ‘Anatomy of a Murder’, ‘Porgy and Bess’ is more than a film. Interesting . A sweaty, passionate and dark musical in which the cast adds all the grandeur that is missing to their failed staging. No matter the mistakes in this regard if you have wonders like Sidney Poitier at the helm leaving the soul at all times.
10 ‘Where the city ends’
From the credits, “Where the city ends” captures you without the possibility of replay, making you a full participant in its history and facilitating total immersion in its particular atmosphere. A merit that deserves to be placed on the account of the newcomer Martin Ritt in the direction and in the absolute complicity of a wonderful cast. A collection of charismatic characters endowed with life from some capital performers among which Sidney Poitier stands out, immense in every scene.
To cite all the impressive works that Poitier has signed over the course of his long career seems a mission as impossible, for the space, as it is ambitious, for the little that would have been left out. And it is that, even in his minor projects, almost all placed in the last years of his career, the actor was a powerful enough excuse to justify (and forgive) absolutely everything.
This special, which contains an undeniable part of sincere tribute and act of gratitude, is made up of ten films that grandly exemplify the aforementioned power of Poitier to impose, fascinate and fascinate. One of the best actors in the history of cinema, historical figure of the seventh art and indestructible protagonist. The legend of Poitier.
Source: E Cartelera
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
