More important, however, than the letter of the film is the spirit. It seizes a burning issue, and lets the sparks fall where they may.

Originating the genre of 'dedicated teacher reaches troubled kids in a ghetto school', this is still affecting although heavy-handed.

Glenn Ford, Morrow and Poitier are so real in their performances under the probing direction by Brooks that the picture alternatingly has the viewer pleading, indignant and frightened before the conclusion.

...a decent-enough drama that never quite becomes as enthralling as one might’ve anticipated (and hoped).