Remembering The Legacies And 10 Iconic Movies Of Sidney Poitier, The Man Who Paved The Way For Black Actors

In charting a course for a group of underrepresented actors, no one has ever come close to Sidney Poitier. The legendary Bahamian-American paved the way for an entire generation of Black-American actors to blossom. Therefore, it must have stung like a thousand bees when he passed on Last Tuesday. In memory of Sidney Poitier, we recount 10 of his most iconic movies as an actor. But before we celebrate the works, we must honor the man behind the legacy.

Sidney Poitier’s Life and Times

Poitier was born prematurely in the United States in 1927 when his parents were on vacation from the Bahamas. He grew up on Cat Island, Bahamas, then returned to the United States as a teenager, when he volunteered in the US Army and served in a medical unit during World War II. Shortly after, he applied to the American Negro Theatre (ANT) in New York City after his discharge.

After being turned down for a job because of his accent, he studied American enunciation while listening to radio announcers. Shortly after, he began acting classes while appearing in a number of ANT shows. Lysistrata was his Broadway debut in 1946. 

Sidney Poitier was an actor, director, and producer who broke the color barrier in the U.S. motion-picture industry. He became the first African American to win an Academy Award for best actor and the first Black movie star. He also redefined roles for African Americans by rejecting parts that were based on racial stereotypes.

Hollywood Breakthrough

A role as Dr. Luther Brooks, a Black doctor who cures a racist white felon, was Poitier’s first acknowledged film role in No Way Out (1950). The film established a crucial precedent for Poitier and subsequent Black actors. By refusing to perform roles that played to racial stereotypes, Poitier challenged Hollywood’s restrictive limitations and broke into the American mainstream.

Also, Poitier played a priest in Cry, the Beloved Country (1951), an adaption of Alan Paton’s novel about a murder in apartheid South Africa. From then on, he rose to the peak of the industry, inspiring several Black actors, such as Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jamie Foxx, among others.

Death

On January 6, Sidney Poitier was confirmed dead by Clint Watson, press secretary for the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Several movies and TV stars took to social media platforms to pour out their eulogy.

#SidneyPoitier was a pioneer for artists of color everywhere. At 9 I read he imitated broadcasters since he was ridiculed for his accent. For the next 10 yrs I did the same to overcome my own speech impediment. I owe my voice to him. Never EVER doubt that representation matters. pic.twitter.com/2Z3OL6HMAX

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) January 7, 2022

1/6 I couldn’t even begin this morning…Losing my dearest of brothers, Sidney Poitier, is like losing a piece of myself. We were joined at the hip from our times scraping to get by, coming up in New York in the 50’s, to achieving all of our dreams & working together in Hollywood

— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) January 8, 2022

Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans. pic.twitter.com/zkYKFSxfKA

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2022

Sidney Poitier, my hero. A life so well lived. pic.twitter.com/x6DyUnGQ6q

— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) January 7, 2022

10 Iconic Sidney Poitier Movies

In a legacy-laden career, Sidney Poitier made several heroic movies. So, in recognition of that, we honor his work by making a list of top 10 most iconic movies. Movies that had cultural, social, and career bearings for Poitier himself make up the list. Also, this list is in no particular order.

#1. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

It was the slap heard round the world. When Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) a black detective from Philadelphia investigating a murder in the South, fought back against a racist plantation owner (Larry Gates) in plain view of the white police chief (Rod Steiger), it sent shock-waves through audiences who before then had almost exclusively seen African Americans in more servile roles on movie screens. Director Norman Jewison infuses this mystery thriller with a kinetic energy that matches the vigor of its two lead performances. “In the Heat of the Night” won five Oscars, including Best Picture.

#2. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark play about an impoverished black family made its way to screens with the original Broadway cast intact, forever enshrining it for future generations. Poitier reprised his Tony-nominated role of Walter Lee Younger, who has big plans for an insurance check that could change his family’s life

#3. The Defiant Ones (1958)

“The Defiant Ones” earned Sidney Poitier an Oscar nomination as Best Actor, making him the first black male to achieve that. Typical of Stanley Kramer’s output, it’s a well-intentioned drama with a strong social message that’s still timely today. Poitier and Tony Curtis play escaped convicts chained to each other who must learn to get along in order to survive.

#4. Lilies Of The Field (1963)

Poitier made Oscar history with his Best Actor victory for “Lilies of the Field,” becoming the first black performer to win that prize. Directed by Ralph Nelson, this small-scale drama tells a simple and moving tale about a traveling handyman (Poitier) who helps a group of nuns build a chapel.

#5. To Sir, With Love (1967)

#6. Blackboard Jungle (1955)

#7. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? (1967)

This movie is a jarring indictment of the racism that existed at the time. However, it misses its mark by casting Poitier as a man of such upstanding integrity that his fiancee’s (Katharine Houghton) liberal parents (Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn) could have no objection to him aside from his race. His character is so saintly, which sets the tone for the rest of the scenes.

#8. Edge Of The City (1957)

“Edge of the City”  is a hidden gem of a movie casting Poitier and John Cassavetes as longshoremen who form a friendship that transcends the bigotry of the time. Jack Warden is the mob-installed foreman whose racism threatens to destroy their bond.

#9. Cry, The Beloved Country (1951)

Not to be confused with the 1995 James Earl Jones movie, this adaptation of Alan Paton’s novel casts Sidney Poitier as a minister in Johannesburg who helps a back-country preacher (Canada Lee) search for his missing son. Shockingly, he soon discovers that his child has become a thief and murderer and that his sister has become a prostitute. However, it all has a happy ending as the preacher redeems his children.

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#10. A Patch of Blue

Finally, our list rounds off with another Sidney Poitier classic. “A Patch of Blue” was an early stab at portraying an interracial romance. In this movie, Elizabeth Hartman is cast as a blind white girl falling in love with a black man (Poitier). It’s a new literal twist on the old adage “love is blind”.

Conclusion

Sidney Poitier’s may be gone, but his memory—and legacy—lingers on. By many accounts, he was a man so revered that legends looked up to legends who looked up to him. Still, he remained peaceful, graceful, and charming. Which of his movies is your all-time favorite? Share with us and tell us why the movie stands out for you. Use the comment box below.