Actor/director Sidney Poitier discusses his life and career. He tells of his upbringing in Jamaica; the difficulties he encountered in New York City at the start of his career; his involvement in the US civil-rights movement; and efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. Friends and acquaintances, as well as other performers, give their insights about what makes him so special.
Acting
Poitier's own storytelling—nobody performs their life quite like him.
Direction
Lee Grant lets the subject breathe, no hagiography, just truth.
Director
Lee Grant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lee Grant was blacklisted during the McCarthy era; her directing this was itself a full-circle moment about survival in show business.
Poitier's box office dominance in 1967 (three top films) is still unmatched by any Black leading man—Hollywood's 'solution' was to stop making those films rather than replicate him.
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