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Up the Down Staircase

1967·Movie
2h 4min·NR
74
GoodGoodWatch score

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Up the Down Staircase fingerprint

Low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace5
  • Tension4
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Moving and nostalgic

  • Pathos7
  • Nostalgia7
  • Wholesome6

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy4
  • Satire & Parody4

World

Everyday modern life, society, and class and money

  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • World Immersion6
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Dialogue Quality7
  • Character Depth7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6
  • Editing5

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Simple words that start a war: "Good morning. My name is Miss Barrett. I am your Home Room teacher..."

Sylvia, a novice schoolteacher, is hired to teach English in a high school, but she’s met with an apathetic faculty, a delinquent student body and an administration that drowns its staff in paperwork. The following days go from bad to worse as Sylvia struggles to reach her most troubled students.
Social RealismTeacher-Student DynamicsBureaucracy CritiqueInner-City SchoolIdealism vs. Reality1960s SettingComing-of-Age ThemesDialogue-Driven

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Up the Down Staircase

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Up the Down Staircase legally?

Up the Down Staircase is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Up the Down Staircase worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 7.3 and Rotten Tomatoes 78%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Up the Down Staircase rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is Up the Down Staircase?

2 h 4 min

Up the Down Staircase runs 2 h 4 min.

Is Up the Down Staircase based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Up the Down Staircase?

Critics78
Audiences71

Yes. Critics average 78 and audiences 71 out of 100, so both groups see Up the Down Staircase much the same way.

What language is Up the Down Staircase in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Up the Down Staircase?

9CADKFIGBGGISNOSEUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Up the Down Staircase in 9 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Up the Down Staircase use?

Abusive ParentsCool TeacherSelf-AbuseHe-Man Woman HaterSave Our StudentsDramatic EllipsisOlder Than They LookAll Psychology Is FreudianBungled SuicideEnthusiastic Newbie TeacherClass ClownBeleaguered Assistantand 8 more

TV Tropes lists 20 storytelling tropes for Up the Down Staircase, including Abusive Parents, Cool Teacher, Self-Abuse.