Character study of egotistically romantic and ultimately dangerous teacher of young girls set in 1930s Scotland. But stage-bound and why is the school interior relentlessly grey? Worth watching for Maggie Smith.

not only for beautiful performance or for the status of novel adaptation but for its profound message, for seductive atmosphere, for the drops from Tennessee Williams plays universe, for the role of reflection about choices and education , teenagers and circles of personal life. it is a profound reflection about status of teacher and the force of ideas. a film about solitude and a splendid performance by Maggie Smith. bitter, strange, touching, a film about illusions, it is a must see for many motifs. for discover a novel, for admire the good job of cast, for the atmosphere, for compare with films/books about same theme. and, sure, for discover a part from yourself. because, like each great movies, it is a kind of mirror.

What a great film! I love Maggie Smith, so I wanted to see The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. And I wasn't disappointed. The cinematography and production values are top notch and the script is great. The story is also very charming, the opinions are politically incorrect in a sense but done with such charm and innocence, while the direction is done with consummate ease. The acting is marvellous across the board- Maggie Smith is superb and thoroughly deserved her Oscar, but I also feel Celia Johnson was overlooked, for she was every bit as good as the disapproving headmistress. Robert Stephens, Gordon Jackson and Pamela Franklin are also very impressive. Overall, it is a truly great film, and certainly one of Smith's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I can't even put words on this movie. It's too much. If ever there was a film "before it's time" it's this. The level of depravity, insight and emotional power is different from anything else I have seen. It's almost unrateable, but a 10/10 should do.Maggie Smith(who deserved her Oscar!!!!!!!!!!) plays a teacher so obviously deranged but still so human. In fact all the main characters in this film are humans in their purest form: FLAWED, but not directly evil. The characters, no matter how devious do believe to be in the right, and they often are.From the revolutionary fascist snob who considers herself the best example of humanity and has the depravity to try to form the girls in her own image and after her own sickly plans also teaches them individualism and to fight for what they believe. The black hearted, spiteful and utterly conservative Christian principle Miss MacKay(Celia Johnson) do at heart have more or less good intentions, at least in regard to the children. Oh and to make it clear the film is not about the struggle between these characters but rather about life.Beyond any doubt Ronald Neames greatest effort, and this is the director who made The Man Who Never Was. It doesn't even compare in greatness, nor impact. This is just extraordinary. It's a unique power to manage to make such a portrait were nobody are really in the right and despite huge flaws such as fascism, prejudice, adultery, weakness, spitefulness and to some extent even pedophilia they are still likable. This is not only a powerhouse of performances. I need to point out how amazing Pamela Franklin was as well!!!! But also a powerhouse of emotions and uncertainty. In essence, truly human.