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Conrack follows a young teacher, Pat Conroy, in 1969 assigned to isolated 'Yamacraw Island' off the coast of South Carolina and populated mostly by poor black familes. He has to find a way to get through to the uninterested kids and teach them what they need to know and also to keep on the good side of the school superintendent, who doesn't want him there.
The potentially dubious aspects of the subject are mostly exorcised, in part by a strong script (adapted from the book by real-life teacher Pat Conroy), but largely by the engaging and persuasive performance Ritt draws from Voight.
As a former Group Theatre actor, [Ritt] understands the problems of actors and has been able to elicit outstanding performances from people one would not expect depth from.
Martin Ritt's movie is often sentimental and hectoring, ramming home the contrast between Voight's comfy, secure rebellion against the Vietnam War and the utter destitution and backwardness of his pupils.
An unusually human movie that ought to be talked about by everyone concerned with the real meaning of education, communication, and a full rich vision of life
The spirit behind Conrack is so relentlessly idealistic in tone and uplifting in intent that one feels vaguely guilty for not responding to the film generously and forgivingly.