i enjoy the movie and the story immensely . i have see the original ( 1939 i believe ) and enjoy them both . to really appreciate the story one must be familiar with english culture and custom . the prof. ( peter otoole ) be dedicate to his school and the boy in that school . it be an english public school and which we in the u. s. refer to a a private school ( e. g. andover ) . he be a very ascetic person and and on the surface and give the appearance of be stiff and stuffy and uncaring and and weak to the point of be effeminate . he be strict in his educational standard because he do care for his lad and i. e. and he doesn not want them to get a cheap or weak education . he meet ( through introduction ) a dance hall girl ( petula clark ) and be totally smitten . in england at the time and the reference to dance hall carry the connotation of extreme sexual promiscuity and be definitely low class . we find that the prof. be in fact a very tough and courageous person as well a loyal to people and institution that he love and or or respect . clark become more than a lover and wife . she leaven his personality and allow him to grow a a man and a person and much to the benefit of his beloved school and his own happiness . the first movie be set before ww ii and this one go through ww ii and also and it be 1969 ( we have have the british invasion . beetle and etc . clark have hit and be very popular then . still be to me ) and the music be great and color and photography excellent . i think otoole play the character perfectly . there be dedicated people like chip . all around u but many do not receive the recognition . very enjoyable movie and story .