Often cited as one of the best actors of all time, Sidney Poitier He has an incredible filmography full of important films that marked his career. His filmography is vast and, although some are considered Sidney Poitier’s best films, others simply represent some of the most important moments in his career as an actor, director and filmmaker. Regardless of where they find themselves in the timeline of his life, each film represents a notable step towards becoming the legend that Poitier is known as today.
Born on February 20, 1927, Poitier appeared in more than 50 films. These films include everything from tense thrillers to gentler romantic dramas, and he gave a convincing performance in each of them. With the death of Sidney Poitier in 2022, the world of cinema lost one of its biggest stars, making it that much more important to reflect on his history as an important figure in American cinema.
1
Chalkboard Jungle (1955)
Sidney Poitier’s hit was a 1950s crime thriller
Based on the novel of the same name, Blackboard Jungle is a black and white crime thriller that mainly features an interracial high school in the middle of the city. Sidney Poitier plays one of the students, the musically talented Gregory W. Miller, and soon gained popularity after the film’s release. It is notable that, in 1955, Poitier was only one of the few black actors to receive this level of acclaim.
While Blackboard Jungle It is not the first film in which Poitier appears, as he has been acting since the 40s, this film marks his great success in the film industry. This success came even after Poitier was rejected by the industry for his dedication to ending racial exploitation in cinema. From that moment on, Poitier’s dedication began to pay off, and he began to receive even bigger roles, going on to star in some truly incredible films.
2
The Challengers (1958)
This film’s nomination for best actor was Poitier’s first.
Starring Sidney Poitier alongside Hollywood star Tony Curtis, The Challengers follows two prisoners who escape from prison but must cooperate because they are still tied up. It’s a tense film that focuses on two men of different races coming together and forming a bond, with characters played expertly by Poitier and Curtis. The film itself was highly praised and won several Academy Awards. including awards for his cinematography and screenplay.
Most importantly, The Challengers it was the first film that earned Poitier an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. This is an important milestone not only in his own life, but in the history of cinema as a whole, as Poitier was the first black person to receive this nomination. Although he didn’t win by The Challengers, this achievement would set the stage for his career and the accolades he would eventually earn.
3
Porgy and Bess (1959)
This musical drama is widely considered lost media
Detailing the lives of disabled beggar Porgy and drug addict Bess and the love story that would develop between them, Porgy and Bess is based on an opera of the same name. The film itself was also a musical drama, although the voices of lead actors Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge were dubbed by opera artists. Although the film was nominated and even won several awards, Porgy and Bess it angered viewers at the time by censoring the original opera.
As a moment in Poitier’s own life, his performance in Porgy and Bess He earned his first Golden Globe nomination, 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 the networks, and since then, no one has rented the rights, causing Porgy and Bess a lost part of Poitier’s history.
4
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry
Dealing with the racism that black families face in America, A raisin in the sun is about the Younger family and their journey to build a better life. This was not the first time he had been involved with A raisin in the sunas Poitier was part of the play’s original cast, even earning a Tony nomination for his performance. Poitier’s performance in this film is equally remarkable, full of emotion and moving in a way that speaks to the soul of viewers.
A raisin in the sun brought the honest struggles of black families to the big screen, operating as both an emotional drama with a compelling narrative and social commentary, something important to Poitier. His performance in the film adaptation of A raisin in the sun it earned Poitier another Golden Globe, but it wasn’t enough to win. Still, the film marked an important moment in Poitier’s career, in which he helped bring such an incredible story to life.
5
Lilies of the Field (1963)
Poitier won the Oscar for best actor
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 he was sent by God and ask Homer to build them a new chapel. Charming and fun in equal measure, Lilies of the Field was generally well-liked by viewers at the time it was released.
The film was not only loved, but also received several Oscar nominations. This included Poitier’s first Oscar win, with Poitier becoming the first black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor. Even though this moment was incredibly successful for him, Poitier didn’t work as much over the next year, not wanting to be typecast in 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
1967 was one of the most successful years in Poitier’s career.starring in critically acclaimed films such as To you, with love and Guess who’s coming to dinner. However, its mysterious drama In the heat of the night was possibly the most popular, offering a portrait of the life of a black detective in southern Mississippi. The film does not shy away from racial prejudice and is considered by many to be one of the most important films of the 1960s.
Poitier was once again nominated for several awards because of In the heat of the night, but just like many of his other iconic films, he didn’t win any of them. The film, however, started a franchise of its own, with Poitier creating two sequels, with They call me Mister Tibbs! and The Organization. There was also a sequel to the 80s series, also titled In the heat of the night, with Howard Rollins taking on the role of Virgil Tibbs in Poitier.
7
Buck and the Preacher (1972)
This film was Poitier’s directorial debut.
The 1970s began a new era in Sidney Poitier’s career as this decade began his transition into directing with the film Buck and the Preacher. This film was a romp through the American Wild West, taking place shortly after the Civil War. Like any good cowboy movie, the film has plenty of exciting shenanigans, including gunfights, betrayal, and even a train robbery.
When Poitier’s vision was first put into the spotlight, it showed that he cast black actors in roles that filmmakers traditionally hadn’t cast them in and centered his stories on civil rights themes.
Being a fun western film that broke Hollywood conventions, Buck and the Preacher set the standard for Poitier’s directorial plays going forward. When Poitier’s vision was first put into the spotlight, it showed that he cast black actors in roles that filmmakers traditionally hadn’t cast them in and centered his stories on civil rights themes. Buck and the Preacher began an iconic era of Poitier’s career, one that made strides in terms of representation in the industry as a whole.
8
Sydney (2022)
This documentary about his life was Poitier’s last film
Sidney is one of the most important films of Poitier’s career, defining all the good he did for the film industry and showing how difficult it was for him to achieve stardom. The documentary shows a lot of archive footage from Poitier’s past, with testimonies from several celebrities and even Poitier himself. Sidney makes a point of showing the significant impact he left on the world, consolidating his legacy as a man who, above all, fought for people’s rights.
Sidney Poitier died on January 6, 2022 at age 94. 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 highlight of an incredible career, offering the perfect way to remember all of Sidney Poitier’s incredible work.