Freedom Writers (2007)
Freedom Writers is an inspirational tale and testimony to courage, hope and the human spirits triumph over intolerance. Hilary Swank portrays a teacher in a racially divided school who gives her students what theyve always needed a voice. She inspires her students to overcome the gangs that divided them and the education system that forgot them.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 123mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.85 : 1 |
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Member Reviews (124)
124 Member
Reviews
Robyn
says
I enjoyed the film, even though it was predictable.
Purplesue
says
Loved it, loved it, loved it!! When I first read the story I thought, oh oh, here we go again, BUT was I wrong. This is just the best, warm, heartfelt story I've seen in a long time. The fact that it was true, certainly adds to it as well. For me, this is a real DON'T MISS!!!
Gabrielle
says
Wonderful, inspiring film - made me cry with hope and joy. Great film to inspire teachers.
Danigirl
says
I really enjoyed this movie!! Hilary Swank was great & its always nice to watch a movie based on a true story. Well worth watching :)
kamac001
says
Great movie! Highly recommended! Very well done & a great performance by Hilary and the 'students'!
Belinda
says
Funny, I remember this film when it was called To Sir With Love...nothing new here.
Mark
says
Great, heartfelt story! Hadn't heard of it before but well worth a watch!
Bernadette
says
I thought his movie was wonderful. Hillary Swank played the part of a new graduate teacher beautifully. impressive!
Warren Patterson
says
Great movie to add to my library rates up there with The Ron Clarke Story which are both true stories
K F
says
Great movie - most enjoyable
Glenda
says
An old tale done many times e.g. To Sir with Love etc, but really enjoyed watching it anyway
Maree P
says
Fantastic movie, inspiring, frightening, riveting, enthralling, warm hearted, gutsy, motivating all wrapped up in one movie - and many more too! Hilary Swank was wonderful as ever and a great support cast too. Made the story real to the audience, not much more you could want than that!
Alan
says
Enjoyable
Stewart
says
Excellent, interesting, encouraging and thought provoking. It's amazing what can be achieved by being one eyed and enthusiastic.
Kim
says
Well acted and very good story
Geoff
says
Based on a true story. Every now & the people like Erin Gruwell Teacher (and Erin Brockovich Law ) come along to a profession and make a gigantic difference to peoples lives. Shame it is the exception rather than the rule. Uplifting movie gives kids some hope, but how may schools in America don't. Interview with Gruwell interesting. Recommended
Sandra
says
I enjoyed this so much - never dull for a moment and it was so well done. A pity it ended.
alli
says
Great movie. Interesting to see how their education system works, or doesn't.
KimG
says
Although it's like a lot of other films, the true story of a young teacher struggling to open the eyes of her disadvantaged, gang-dominated students to more hopeful possibilities is worth watching.
Claudia
says
Absolutely inspiring movie!
Shows you that ONE person CAN make a difference, against all odds, extreme ridicule and persecution form your peers and with no one that believes in you and your dreams, in to peoples lives that are relegated by society to be hopeless and worthless cases.
Rosemarie
says
An uplifting story, that shows if you care others care too.
Bridget
says
FANTASTIC - made me cry, made me laugh, but loved every minute of it, particularly as it was based on a true story. Every parent needs to watch it.
Jonathan
says
excellent must see.
Jan O.
says
Great storyline. Interesting feel good movie but a bit too Hollywoodish for me - lacked subtlety of other films on similar issues. Nevertheless - entertaining though not rivetting.
Ann
says
Really enjoyed this movie
Patricia F.
says
What a powerful movie, really moving. What an amazing women. You don't want to miss this one.
Pamela K.
says
Excellent fully enjoyed, teenages were convincing although not actors.
Kate B.
says
Totally loved this movie, would highly recomend it to everyone.
Natalie
says
Ok, exactly what you expect it to be. A good uplifting movie... and as usual great acting from Hilary Swank.
Luisa E.
says
Absolutely brilliant.So good to see teachers recognising students needs.
Daniel
says
Good drama movie well worth the watch
Kerri D.
says
Great movie. True story which I didn't realise until the
end of the movie when the details are revealed. Hilary Swank does a great job as usual and her teenage students are all excellent. Very moving.
Belinda S.
says
Gets you in from the start and holds you there. Great movie, one to add as a permanent to your collection
Tina C.
says
Another fantastic movie well acted by Hilary Swank. Thumbs up.
Maureen R.
says
As I work in education, this movie really resonated with me. It only takes one person to make a difference in life and particularly in children's lives to make learning an enjoyable experience. This movie was very much like "To Sir With Love"
Clare F.
says
A very powerful movie about how teachers can make a difference to thier students lives. A great movie.
Lyn P.
says
Another great movie with a story line we have seen before but well worth watching.
curls
says
This has been the best DVD rented this year, a terrific performance by Hilary Swank and a great storyline, definitely one I will buy for my own collection.
Gwen W.
says
An excellant inspiring and emotianally uplifting film.
Russell S.
says
Where do you start with a movie of this calibre.
This is a beautiful, uplifting and moving story which has not been sensasionalised by Hollywood.
Hillary Swank is at her best, and I mean that she becomes the character and is totally believable as the sensitive but strong teacher.
There have been similar movies made, but i believe that this is truly the best that I could have hoped to have seen. There is one part overdone hollywood style but don't worry , this is way above average.
Has a great hip hop sound track (not rap)
This is one to be seen, a rare gem of a movie.
Lynne H.
says
Inspiring! worth seeing.
Lyn O.
says
it was exceptional we can all change if we choose to
Sergio R Sousa
says
Good movie, similar to dangerous minds, Although more modern, seemed to like it more, Hillary Swank is a great Actress, Very gripping movie.
Kristen S.
says
i bawled my eyes out. very moving, beautiful story.
Jennifer S.
says
Highly recommended to all viewers. Very touching story.
David C.
says
Loved the movie, recommend it.
Beth C.
says
Another must see movie along with Life As A House - Brilliantly acted with a touching story. The best part about it is it is based on a True Story.
Sandra S.
says
Highly recommended. Good, well rounded and inspirational movie. Worth watching.
Sandy J.
says
Hilary Swank is just tremendous as usual. The story line is great and very inspiring. Shows how having a great role model and someone who believes in you can make a difference.
Sharon K.
says
Incredibly powerful movie... Hilary Swank plays an excellent part
Claudio G.
says
Although full of clichés, it's nevertheless touching. Solid performances, characters are allowed to develop before the story starts to unfold.
In short: a well directed directed fictionized version of a true story.
Sara R.
says
This film was a bit disappointing. It was predictable, and too similar to films that had gone before such as Dangerous Minds, or even Sister Act 2.
Regiane S.
says
Full of emotion.
Peter F.
says
Wonderful acting by Swank..great true story..an uplifting experience even tho it was schmaltzy..get it and watch it..the girls will love you for it...10/10
Karen F.
says
Great movie - loved it.
Colin Y.
says
I really liked this movie, despite the theme which has been done several times before. This movie is really a vehicle for Hilary Swank who has great screen charisma. Well worth a look for Hilary's performance.
Anna V.
says
Loved this movie. What a teacher. Talk about dedication and trying to find a new way to get through to students with lots of opposition from people that should know better
Suzanne A.
says
This movie makes me want to be a better person!
Faraday M.
says
Stephen M.
says
Brilliant picture - well worth seeing.
Stuart H.
says
This movie is based on a true story and is well told being quite emotional in parts. I am inspired to go and read the book. Hillary Swank did a good job in the lead role and was ably supported by the young actors that played her cast.
An enjoyable movie!
Judy H.
says
This movie is so good I want it for my collection. It is very inspiring. This teacher made a huge difference to these kids and was awesome. Best movie I have seen for some time. Worth watching!!
John K.
says
Seen this type of movie a hundred times already... but if it's done well like this, then I'm happy to watch again.
Howard R.
says
Inspirational film, and entertaining.
Bernadette B.
says
The people who made this film seem to assume that purely by basing their effort on true, inspiring, events automatically makes a great film. Not true. Although a worthy story this effort is not original in any way and other films have tackled the themes better, notably Coach Carter. The minor characters in this film - the kids, the other teachers, the main character's family - are all annoyingly 2-dimensional stereotypes. Swank is not bad in the main role but hardly equal to her oscar-winning effort.
Jean S.
says
excellent movie.Great actors, very well presented.
Paul D.
says
You will love this movie, very inspiring!! Not ot be missed.
Andrea L.
says
One of the best movies we have seen in a long time. Great realistic expressions of gang life. My teenagers got really engaged into it and we had long discussions about gangs etc and the movie and the alternatives. Fantastic movie. Must see!
Di-Anne R.
says
excellent movie
Terence B.
says
Darren L.
says
Brilliant!
Sally M.
says
Michael C.
says
Stephanie S.
says
Brian O.
says
A different slant on the real life story of inspiring teacher helps bad kids make good ... Hillary Swank gives a very enthusiastic performance in the lead as Ms G. The school senior staff portrayed are bitter, twisted, cynical and won't have made the real life characters they are based on too happy.
Siobhan W.
says
Although there are others of this genre this film differs enough to keep you interested from beginning to end. A great tale of triumph over adversity.
Sarah S.
says
Catherine W.
says
Excellent film and great performances. Made me cry.
Diane B.
says
Great film, had never heard of this group before. True story so watch the extras of the film, well worth a watch.
Tricia D.
says
Possibly one of the best movies I've seen in years; Hilary Swank was fantastic. I watched it 4 times!!!!!
Patricia N.
says
Lyneve C.
says
Hilary Swank is just brilliant as teacher extraordinaire Erin Gruwell. It is a confronting story of young lives in crisis. Hilary, pearls and all manages to really communicate with her students from deprived and dysfunctional families and neighbourhoods. She devotes her life to these young people and turns their lives around - at huge cost to her own personal relationship. An uplifting, compassionate and truly moving account of real people. Definitely worth watching more than once.
Sangita P.
says
Michelle F.
says
Very inspirational. Makes you realise how tough life is for some people and how bad the violence is in parts of the U.S.
Chris W.
says
A really good movie. Would recommend to all.
John S.
says
Very good movie. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Enjoyed the fact it was based on true events.
Emma S.
says
mo
says
loved it, loved it, loved it.
Charmaine R.
says
Excellent movie to what with older chids, say 10-16 age group. Great disscussion time after the movie with the kids on thier views. crowd pleaser! Must See!
Pam F.
says
Loved this film from the beginning, and Hillary Swank was fantastic.
Very inspirational & uplifting, really gets the message accross that lives can be changed with love & caring & not critiscism, cruelty & bias. EXCELLENT!!!!!
Alfred B.
says
One of the best true storie movie I have
seen for a long time.
Not to be missed.
Doug R.
says
great movie. hillary swank really greact acting
Sue K.
says
a moving account of a teachers special gift to inspire students who are at conflict with each other.based on a true story.Hilary swank at her best
Sheralee W.
says
Val
says
Inspiring movie. Great to watch with teenagers.
Jodie T.
says
Truely inspiring!! Great movie
Faye G.
says
Great inspiring movie. Enjoyed it alot.
Pam F.
says
Loved this movie, even though it was predictable, It was a very inspirational & uplifting story, and it does show that lives of kids can be changed.
Alex H.
says
A hartwarming film that shows that positive thought and action is the salvation of mankind. Must see and emulate!!
John C.
says
Adele D.
says
Excellent, got me hooked straight away.
Debbie F.
says
Kay M.
says
Very powerful and thought provoking
Greg M.
says
This is an excellent movie & anybody who doesn't like it is hard to please.
Deserves it's 5 star rating.
Stephanie O.
says
Excellent. Very moving and inspirational.
Leslie M.
says
EXCELLENT MOVIE.IT WAS AN INSPIRING MOVIE TO WATCH
W B O.
says
A little 'done before' and very Hollywood but still a real feel-good movie with some touching moments and strong performances by the entire cast. Worth a look.
Cheryl T.
says
loved it
Sean D.
says
Great movie but the ending was a little too perfect.
Peter K.
says
Another story of a teacher inspiring students to greater things. A number of similar movies on similar subject beginning with Dead Poets Society. Very entertaining and moving. One of the better teacher students stories.
Natasha M.
says
fantastic feel good movie. makes us realise we do anything if we put our minds to it
Renee
says
Hilliary Swank never fails to impress. This role as a school teacher is no exception. If you enjoyed the gangsta flick "Dangerous Minds" you will enjoy this one just as much.
Joanne H.
says
Wow. A very inspiring movie. It is another teacher goes to a bad neighbourhood and does good but it has some great acting and is a little different in how she changes their lives. Based on a true story. Give you hope for the future.
David H.
says
stimpy
says
An enjoyable and interesting true story.
Rhoda J.
says
Excellent and inspiring movie. Hilary Swank is fantastic in this. One of the best movies I have seen in a while.
Louise S.
says
Fanastic Movie, a must see film, very inspriing...Hilary Swank was excellent...very moving film...
Lee C.
says
It was easy to watch . An Inspiring story but just a little to hollywood!!!
Dianne P.
says
This movie was one of the most fulfilling movies I have ever seen. I will never forget anything about this film. Very powerful and significant to the point that there is always someone who can make an effort and make a difference.
Bev M.
says
Bev M.
says
Katrina A.
says
Great movie... Well worth watching.
Tim N.
says
Tracy D.
says
A movie worth watching, a touching story inspired on true events. Hilary Swank is an excellent actress.