The overriding triumph of Goodbye Mr Chips was undoubtedly the performance of Tom Szekeres. His powerhouse performance was a joy to behold and kept me watching the show over and over again.I would love to meet Tom and shake his hand for what is certainly the most heartfelt, compelling and overall spectacular example of acting that has been witnessed in the 20th (and 21st) century. He outshone Martin Clunes in almost every possible way and, even though Martin is a fine actor apparently, I believe Tom Szekeres is head and shoulders above the rest.In conclusion, Tom Szekeres is the man. The one and only. There can be no comparisons and no alternatives. Goodbye Mr Chips was good, but Tom Szekeres was better.

When I first saw the movie, I really didn't had any expectations about it, but i proved terribly wrong. This movie is probably THE best Mr. Chipping movie thats ever been made! (I know some people sticks to the first version, but frankly, it was a bit too sentimental for my taste). The 2002 edition was also made for the sentimental crowd, but it also had some harsh realities, like when the German teacher gets killed in war, and the students didn't care, 'cause he wasn't English. And I couldn't help myself not to shed a tear, when Chips dies in the end of the movie.9 out of 10

When I saw the ad for this, I naturally assumed this remake of the 1939 classic would be a sentimental period piece with a soundtrack replete with Elgar and choirboys. Instead I experienced one of the harshest exposes of hazing in the British public school system since If. Nothing is left to the imagination, making this movie unsuitable for anyone under 13. However, unlike the exploitative Oliver Twist miniseries that Masterpiece Theater did a few years ago, the writers did not go overboard trying to create a realistic atmosphere. This allowed a fine cast to turn in some superb performances without being overwhelmed by the plot and that's what makes this the BBC's best effort since the 1983 version of "Jane Eyre".

Of what I can find, this is the fourth version of "Goodbye, Mr Chips" since the 1939 classic. I've only seen the original 1939 one which I think was one of the greatest films of that era.This was pretty much the same. While I think its quite a nice film, I was left wondering what the point of it was. It was set at the same time in history. The characters were similar. The sentimental movement of the film was the same. Oh, this time it was in colour.I came to these conclusions why the producer might have felt the need to make this up-date.1) It is a current film industry trend to make re-makes of old films. Re-makes can have more special effects and modern, big time celebrities. Old classics can be done in a modern settings. Hmmm... this film has non of these, so I'm still having my doubts.2) The 1939 Mr Chips used THE CANE?!?!... even in his old age. Today, that is considered a CRIMINAL offence. Maybe we can't have a dear old teacher, that generations of boys loves to bit, but who, by modern definition, is a violent criminal who has in reality has emotionally damaged boys for the rest of their lives [sorry for slight sarcasm].This film, on the other hand, has correct this. Mr Chips ABHORS the cane. In fact, the film to a large degree focuses on it. Possibly todays child phychologists and other new-age child rearing thinkers can't handle the 1939 Mr Chips being revered as such a high quality film. For sure, there are many in the last 25 years who believe that the whole 1000s and 1000s of years of human existence have got it wrong in child rearing, and only our little generation have it right. Hmmmm.... I better not go there.OVERALL, this is a nice film. I enjoyed it. Its not overly intelligent with imaginary new dialogue from the old version, but I give it a 6, and might even watch it again sometime.