105 reviews
Sales Rank: 2167

Format: Color, Ntsc, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 122
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: 346504
UPC: 097363465041
EAN: 0097363465041
ASIN: B000NOK1KC

Theatrical Release Date: January 5, 2007
Release Date: April 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Former blockbuster rental great condition

Similar Items:

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•	The Ron Clark Story
•	The Freedom Writers Diary Teacher's Guide
•	Teach With Your Heart: Lessons I Learned from The Freedom Writers
•	Catch and Release

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Though the "inspirational teacher" theme may feel done to death, Freedom Writers succeeds because it emphasizes the students as much as the teacher. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry) comes to a southern California high school bubbling over with naive optimism, but quickly discovers that her unruly classroom isn't easily won over by her good intentions. After a few floundering attempts to connect with her students, Gruwell gives them the assignment of keeping journals about their own lives--an assignment that the class bites into with relish, which eventually bonds them together and pushes racial rivalries aside. This plotline has been made before, sometimes well, sometimes poorly; Freedom Writers, by drawing heavily from the published journals of the students--and thanks to a (mostly) unheroic script, direction that emphasizes individual characters over stereotypes, and rigorous performances from the whole cast--makes the story seem fresh and genuine. Swank does solid work, but the standouts are April L. Hernandez as a girl whose gang wants her to lie and send an innocent boy to jail and Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) as a teacher who resents Gruwell's offbeat success. Also featuring Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Scott Glenn (The Right Stuff), and a plethora of strong young actors. --Bret Fetzer

Beyond Freedom Writers

More Inspirational Teacher Films on DVD

The Freedom Writers Diary
by Erin Gruwell

More DVDs Starring Hilary Swank

Stills from Freedom Writers (click for larger image)

Product Description
Hilary Swank stars in this story about a teacher in a racially divided school who gives her students what they ve always needed - a voice. Swank plays Erin Gruwell the real-life teacher at Long Beach s Wilson High who inspired her students to overcome the gangs that divided them and the education system that forgot them. Based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary and supported by a cast of first-time actors who drew from their actual experiences on the street Gruwell teaches us all an important lesson about tolerance and trust.System Requirements:Running Time: 122 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 097363465041 Manufacturer No: 346504

Customer Reviews: Read 100 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring! June 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Inspiring performances by the entire cast made this movie sparkle! I didn't know what to expect, frankly I had low hopes. But I love Hilary Swank and it sounded like it could be a different movie, not the same old same old. I loved it! Everyone shone. Very compelling tale. Well done.

5 out of 5 stars

True Story June 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Watch the "special features/extras" on the DVD, and you'll discover that this is based on a true story. And, Swank and the real teacher met.

Yes, it is another "inspirational teacher makes a difference" movie, but this is one of the better ones of this ilk. Plus, I like them anyway. Having worked with "troubled youth," both as a mentor and as a teacher, I'd say this teacher understood pretty well. Bravo to the teacher for bucking the "system" that would have just passed these kids off as lost causes. There's a bit of each of these kids in all of us, if we'd stop and look.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent teaching tool May 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I bought this movie at the request of my husband who had the honor of hearing the main character of the movie (Erin Gruwell) speak recently in Richmond, VA. I work in ministry with at-risk teenagers and the movie speaks directly to their situations. In my case it will become a reference for outreach to "my" kids. The story line is based on Erin Gruwell's experiences teaching inner-city teens that are considered "unteachable." Frankly, that seems to be the story of so many teachers in today's public school system. In MY ministry I have to "meet them where they are" ...meaning that I have to get on level with my kids in order to understand them at all. Erin Gruwell did that as well and connected with her kids in a fascinating manner. Acting by all involved is great - don't know that it was acting for everyone. You simply can't act it unless you know it on some level! Hats off to the teens who were part of this ensemble... and of course to Hilary Swank.

3 out of 5 stars

Inspirational movie April 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I gave this film only 4 starts because we have seen similar films produced before. If I recall correctly, there was a movie about the math teacher who has produced generation of students in LA public school with the highest score in their SAT exams.This teacher teaches students on how to be proud of themselves in their English class. Her dedication to her teaching and her students comes at the price, but that does not change her determination. Hillary Swank gives nice performance but other support cast of young actors are trying to hard to showcase their talent that certain scenes feel overdone. It is unfortunate to see Patrick Dempsey do another presentation of a "pretty boy" husband who feels left out in his wife's pursuit of rewarding career that does not pay much and does not give much for a family life he craves in a new marriage. Just another inspirational movie that is recomended for teenagers but may be a drag for other types of audiences.

4 out of 5 stars

truth is powerful April 8, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Don't get discouraged by the painfull beginning. The kids' stories are powerful and you can take some inspiration from them. Swank saves the movie from the mediocre.