O Legado de Sidney Poitier

For those of us who have admired Sidney Poitier for decades, this reverential 2022 documentary will satisfy the desire for a respectful tribute to a genuinely impressive man who left a lasting legacy. Directed by Reginald Hudlin and produced by Oprah Winfrey (who is truly overwhelmed by her subject), the film benefits from Poitier's first-person narrative recorded some time before his death earlier this year. His recounting of his impoverished childhood in the Bahamas and Florida is moving. Then the parade of his classic films follows with the focus on aspects and themes that are quite familiar to us by now. The interviews with his children and especially his first wife Juanita are particularly revelatory. Their words resonate in bringing him to life with minimal blemishes.

"Sidney" (2022) is a very solid documentary covering the life of the Black Bahamian/American actor, director, politician, and father-figure, Sidney Poitier. The film serves as a great introduction to the legendary figure.

Presented as a typical biographical documentary. This film covers Poitier's life and legacy through interviews from his early career up to his final years. Poitier's personal intentions and beliefs are more thoroughly explained by him and popular culture figures like Oprah Winfrey (who is a producer for this film).

The documentary is not groundbreaking by any means and can seem a little dull despite covering the life of one of the most important and interesting cultural figures in history.

In truth, the life of Sir Sidney Poitier deserves a more in-depth look with a docuseries, but this film remains a very good introduction to his life. Poitier's legacy as a Black actor, leader, and father-figure broke down color-barriers and paved the way for all persons of color to break free from type-cast roles and pursue their own artistic control.

Watch this film even if you have never seen one of Poitier's films as you will still be greatly inspired by this legendary figure.

First off, this is quite a good documentary. Not the greatest, but pretty good. A couple of complaints though. First off, there was too much Oprah Winfrey. I get that she was a producer, but she got too much screen time. Secondly, its pronounced pwa-tee-ay, not portier. If you are a lifelong fan of the great man, at least learn to pronounce his name, please.

Finally, why no mention of The Wilby Conspiracy? This is one of Sidney Poitier's best movies, and right up there with In The Heat of the Night in terms of righteousness. He and Michael Caine had great chemistry and it was sad that this excellent performance was overlooked.

Sidney Poitier was a great actor and a great man, so I was very much looking forward to this movie, especially given some very positive reviews.

The documentary 'Sidney' is fascinating when Poitier is on screen, being interviewed for this project or in the extensive archive footage.

However it is intensely irritating when some random celebrity comes on screen to tell us what we've just heard, or explain the obvious.

I don't mind the views and anecdotes from his family or people who actually knew him, but there were too many unnecessary talking heads delivering exposition that had obviously been scripted by the production.

What a man. What a heart. What a history.

Sidney Poitier was THE FIRST black man to explore many new grounds that no black man had walked before him. THAT simple fact catapulted Poitier into the spotlight of millions of black and white people during the sixties.

This exquisitedly made documentary (produced by long time friend and admirer Oprah Winfrey) focusses primarily on the roaring sixties, when alongside the rise of the civil movement his star rose to great heights on the silver screen.

The one thing that was most astounding to me though, was the story of his early childhood. He grew up without knowing what electricity or running water was. Without ever having seen a mirror. Coming to America was a tsunami of impressions, which forever molded his beliefs and goals in life. And he did all that in honor of his mother and father.

This is not some sentimental tearjerker story, no way, the guy really (and I mean really) HONORED his mother and father. As the youngest of the family he watched every move his parents made and how they interacted with others. His parents were his filmschool for life...

Highly recommended for any Sidney Poitier fan!

It is a nonstop, goosebump ride through the history of America and Sidney Poitier was the ever gentleman like and benevolent messenger, who all showed us what dignity and respect was. Besides being a marvellous actor!