Conrack

It's a firsthand story, and Ritt and the Ravetches have kept the bloom on it, even with the addition of their secondhand touches.

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.

Few will totally resist the surefire appeal of this latest variation on Pygmalion mythology.

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.

Despite Mr. Voight's skill, the teacher's character never jells.

It misses by less than a mile, but it misses.

The film was about as out of sync and unnecessary as John Lennon's showtime repartee.

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.

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.