Michael Magness

This film was released a year after I graduated from high school. Until my Junior year I had lived in Arizona and seen racism first hand. It wasn't as blatant as depicted in this film in fact as kids it wasn't there. When I moved to Wisconsin where the racial mix was almost non-existent I encountered much more verbal racism. This film, I believe is an example of the racism of Hollywood. The story is well written and well acted but I believe Sidney Poitier should have been the best actor that year. I enjoyed Rod Steiger's performance I just feel that comparatively Poitier did a great job. The film holds up today looking at where race is in 2021. After the March in Charlottesville and the many black lives lost at the hands of police. How much has changed since 1967? Is it just hidden more from us whites who do not live it daily?

I am 72 now but first saw this film in a theater as a new release, I have watched it several times over the years and always enjoyed it. I have ALWAYS felt Richard Beymer was miscast as Tony. The rest of the film if you can overcome him is a great idea wonderfully brought to the screen. Much of the cast were from the original Broadway show with the exception of the leads. The other leads I felt brought their own take on the characters as evidenced by the Academy Awards for several. I give it 4 stars for the miscast of Tony.