The 8 Movies That Defined Sidney Poitier’s Career

Often cited as one of the best actors of all time, Sidney Poitier has an incredible filmography full of important career-defining films. His filmography is vast, and while some are considered the best of Sidney Poitier’s films, others simply represent some of the most important moments in his career as an actor, director, and filmmaker. Regardless of where they fall in the timeline of his life, each film represents a notable step to becoming the legend that Poitier is known as today.

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Born February 20th, 1927, Poitier appeared in over 50 films. These movies include everything from tense thrillers to softer romantic dramas, and he gave a compelling performance in each one. With Sidney Poitier’s death in 2022, the film world lost one of its greatest stars, making it that much more important to reflect on his history as an important figure in American film.

1 Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Sidney Poitier’s Breakout Success Was A 50s Crime Thriller

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Blackboard Jungle (1955) ApprovedDrama

Blackboard Jungle (1955) is a drama film directed by Richard Brooks that delves into the challenges faced by a new teacher, Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford), at an inner-city high school. Confronted by a turbulent student body, including rebellious teenager Artie West (Vic Morrow), Dadier strives to make a positive impact amidst a backdrop of social unrest and educational dysfunction. The film also features a notable performance by Sidney Poitier as a bright but troubled student.

Director Richard Brooks Release Date March 25, 1955 Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Richard Brooks Cast Glenn Ford , Anne Francis , Louis Calhern , Margaret Hayes Runtime 101 Minutes Budget $1,168,000 Main Genre Drama Expand

Based off of the novel of the same name, Blackboard Jungle is a black-and-white crime thriller that primarily features an interracial school in the middle of the city. Sidney Poitier plays one of the students, the musically gifted Gregory W. Miller, and soon shot to popularity after the release of the film. It is notable that, in 1955, Poitier was only one of a few Black actors to receive this level of acclaim.

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Sidney Poitier was a founding member of the CNA and refused to sign a loyalty oath to participate in
Blackboard Jungle.

While Blackboard Jungle is not the first film Poitier ever appeared in, as he had been acting since the 40s, this movie marks his breakout success in the film industry. This success came even after Poitier was rejected from the industry for his dedication to ending racial exploitation in film. After this point in time, Poitier’s dedication began to pay off, and he started to receive even bigger roles, going on to star in some truly incredible films.

2 The Defiant Ones (1958)

This Film’s Nomination For Best Actor Was Poitier’s First

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The Defiant Ones (1958) ApprovedCrimeDrama

The Defiant Ones is a film directed by Stanley Kramer that stars Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier as two escaped convicts who are shackled together. Despite their racial differences and mutual distrust, they must cooperate to survive while being pursued by the authorities. The film explores themes of racism, mutual dependence, and redemption.

Director Stanley Kramer Release Date September 27, 1958 Studio(s) Stanley Kramer Productions , Lomitas Productions , Curtleigh Productions Distributor(s) United Artists Writers Harold Jacob Smith , Nedrick Young Cast Tony Curtis , Sidney Poitier , Theodore Bikel , Charles McGraw , Lon Chaney , King Donovan , Kevin Coughlin , Cara Williams Runtime 96 Minutes Budget $778,000 Main Genre Drama Expand
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Starring Sidney Poitier alongside Hollywood staple Tony Curtis, The Defiant Ones follows two prisoners who escape from prison but must cooperate as they are still tethered together. It is a tense film that focuses on two men of different races coming together and forming a bond, with characters played expertly by both Poitier and Curtis. The film itself was highly praised and won several Academy Awards, including awards for its cinematography and screenplay.

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Most importantly, The Defiant Ones was the first film that earned Poitier an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. This is an important milestone not only in his own life, but in film history as a whole, as Poitier was the first Black man to receive this nomination. Although he did not win for The Defiant Ones, this achievement would set the stage for his career and the accolades he would eventually win.

3 Porgy And Bess (1959)

This Musical Drama Is Widely Considered Lost Media

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Porgy and Bess Not RatedMusicDramaRomance

Porgy and Bess, released in 1959, is a film adaptation set in the fictional Catfish Row in Charleston, focusing on Porgy, a crippled beggar, and Bess, who struggles with addiction. The community’s dynamics unfold against the backdrop of early 1900s South Carolina.

Director Otto Preminger Release Date June 24, 1959 Writers N. Richard Nash Cast Dorothy Dandridge , Sidney Poitier , Sammy Davis Jr. , Pearl Bailey , Brock Peters , Diahann Carroll , Leslie Scott , Ruth Attaway , Claude Akins , Clarence Muse , Everdinne Wilson , Ivan Dixon , Scatman Crothers , Maya Angelou , Nichelle Nichols Character(s) Bess , Porgy , Sportin’ Life , Maria , Crowne , Clara , Jake , Serena Robbins , Detective , Peter , Annie , Jim , Crabman , Dancer Runtime 138 minutes YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5vNU7Y7SQ Expand

Detailing the lives of disabled beggar Porgy and drug-addicted Bess and the love story that would develop between them, Porgy and Bess is based off of an opera of the same name. The film itself was also a musical drama, though the singing voices of the main actors Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge were both dubbed over by opera performers. Despite the fact the film was nominated for and even won several awards, Porgy and Bess angered viewers at the time for censoring the original opera.

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A full version of
Porgy and Bess
is available to watch in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

As a point in Poitier’s own life, his performance in Porgy and Bess earned his first nomination for a Golden Globe Award, celebrated as Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. This film is especially notable, perhaps, because it is not available for general viewing. Once the rights to the film expired, it was pulled from networks, and since then no one has leased the rights, making Porgy and Bess a lost part of Poitier’s history.

4 A Raisin In The Sun (1961)

Based On The Play By Lorraine Hansberry

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A Raisin in the Sun (1961) ApprovedDrama

A Raisin in the Sun (1961) is a drama directed by Daniel Petrie, featuring Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Claudia McNeil. The film follows an African American family in Chicago as they struggle with poverty and aspirations for a better life. The story revolves around the tensions and conflicts that arise within the family when they inherit a significant insurance payout following the death of the patriarch.

Director Daniel Petrie Release Date May 29, 1961 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Lorraine Hansberry Cast Sidney Poitier , Ruby Dee , Claudia McNeil , Diana Sands , Stephen Perry Runtime 128 Minutes Budget $1.5 Million Main Genre Drama Expand
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Dealing with the racism Black families face in America, A Raisin in the Sun is about the Younger family and their journey towards building a better life. This was not his first time being involved with A Raisin in the Sun, as Poitier was a member of the play’s original cast, even earning a Tony nomination for his performance. Poitier’s performance in this film is equally striking, filled with emotion and moving in a way that speaks to the souls of viewers.

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A Raisin in the Sun brought the honest struggles of black families to the big screen, operating both as an emotional drama with a compelling narrative and social commentary, something important to Poitier. His acting in the film adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun earned Poitier another Golden Globe Award, but it was not enough to win. Still, the film marked an important moment in Poitier’s career in which he helped to bring such an incredible story to life.

5 Lilies Of The Field (1963)

Poitier Won The Academy Award For Best Actor

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Lilies Of The Field (1963) ApprovedDrama

Lilies of the Field follows Homer Smith, an African-American handyman, who encounters a group of East German nuns in the Arizona desert. The nuns believe Homer has been sent by God to build a chapel for their congregation. Sidney Poitier stars as Smith, in a performance that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film is known for its exploration of faith, determination, and community.

Director Ralph Nelson Release Date October 3, 1963 Studio(s) Rainbow Productions Distributor(s) United Artists Writers James Poe Cast Sidney Poitier , Lilia Skala , Stanley Adams , Lisa Mann , Isa Crino , Francesca Jarvis , Pamela Branch Runtime 94 Minutes Sequel(s) Christmas Lilies of the Field Budget $240,000 Main Genre Drama Expand

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In Lilies of the Field, Sidney Poitier plays a man named Homer Smith who meets a group of East German nuns in the middle of the Arizona desert. These nuns believe him to be sent by god, and they ask Homer to build a new chapel for them. Both charming and fun in equal measure, Lilies of the Field was generally beloved by viewers at the time it was released.

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Not only was the film beloved, but it also earned several Academy Award nominations. This included Poitier’s first Academy Award win, with Poitier becoming the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. Even though this moment was an incredible success for him, Poitier did not work as much in the year that followed, not wanting to be typecast into the roles that were available as most of them were demeaning stereotypes.

6 In The Heat Of The Night (1967)

1967 Was Poitier’s Most Successful Box Office Year

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The year 1967 was one of the most successful years in Poitier’s career, starring in critically acclaimed films such as To Sir, with Love and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. However, his mystery drama In the Heat of the Night was quite possibly the most popular, offering a snapshot into the life of a Black detective deep in south Mississippi. The film does not shy away from displaying racial prejudice, and it is considered by many to be one of the most important films of the 1960s.

In the Heat of the Night (1967) is available on Prime Video.

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Poitier was once again nominated for many awards because of In the Heat of the Night, but similarly to many of his other iconic films, he did not win any of them. The film did, however, begin a legacy franchise of its own, with Poitier going on to create two sequels, with They Call Me Mister Tibbs! and The Organization. There was also an 80s sequel series, also titled In the Heat of the Night, with Howard Rollins taking on Poitier’s role of Virgil Tibbs.

7 Buck And The Preacher (1972)

This Film Was Poitier’s Directorial Debut

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Buck And The Preacher GPAdventureDramaWestern

In post-Civil War Kansas, Buck leads African Americans westward, facing threats from white raiders hired by plantation owners. With Ruth’s warning, Buck evades a deadly trap and teams up with a conflicted preacher. Together, they fight back against the raiders, resorting to ambushes and daring heists to protect their people and reach their destination. As they navigate danger and betrayal, their bond strengthens in a relentless quest for survival and freedom in the untamed frontier.

Director Sidney Poitier Release Date April 28, 1972 Studio(s) E & R Productions , Belafonte Enterprises Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Ernest Kinoy Cast Sidney Poitier , Harry Belafonte , Ruby Dee , Cameron Mitchell , Denny Miller , Nita Talbot , James McEachin Runtime 102 Minutes Main Genre Western Expand

The 1970s began a new era in Sidney Poitier’s career, as this decade began his transition to directing with the film Buck and the Preacher. This film was a romp through the American Wild West, taking place directly after the Civil War. Like any good cowboy movie, the film has plenty of gripping antics, including gunfights, betrayal, and even a train robbery.

When Poitier’s vision was thrust into the spotlight for the very first time, it showed that he chose Black actors for roles that filmmakers did not traditionally cast them in and centered his stories around themes of civil rights.

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Being a fun Western film that broke Hollywood conventions, Buck and the Preacher set the standard for Poitier’s directorial pieces going forward. When Poitier’s vision was thrust into the spotlight for the very first time, it showed that he chose Black actors for roles that filmmakers did not traditionally cast them in and centered his stories around themes of civil rights. Buck and the Preacher began an iconic era of Poitier’s career, one that made strides for representation in the industry as a whole.

8 Sidney (2022)

This Documentary About His Life Was Poitier’s Last Film

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Sidney is one of the most important films in Poitier’s career, defining all the good he has done for the film industry and showing how difficult it was for him to rise to stardom. The documentary shows plenty of archived footage from Poitier’s past, with testimony from many different celebrities and even Poitier himself. Sidney makes a point to show the significant impact he left on the world, cementing his legacy as a man who first and foremost fought for people’s rights.

Sidney Poitier died on January 6, 2022 at 94 years old. This film was released posthumously in September of that year, celebrating the life and achievements of one of the film industry’s most important actors and activists. Sidney is the final high point to an incredible career, offering the perfect avenue for looking back on all of Sidney Poitier’s incredible work.

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