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Poster of Why Shoot the Teacher?

Why Shoot the Teacher? (1977)

“"Everything is funny, as long as it's happening to someone else!"”

Where to Watch in

Free

Purchase

Where to Watch in

Free

Purchase

Plot

As the chill of winter descends upon the desolate prairie town of Willowgreen, Saskatchewan, a fresh-faced college graduate, Max Brown, steps into the heart of rural Canada. It's 1935, and Max finds himself navigating the challenging landscape of his first teaching job in a one-room schoolhouse. This isn't the dream he envisioned; the winter gnaws at his bones, his living quarters are confined to the school's basement, his older students are rebellious, and his meager wages are uncertain. Max, an urban soul from an Eastern province, initially struggles with the harsh realities of his new life. He's superior, distant, and bewildered, feeling physically and emotionally marooned in a world far removed from his own. However, he lacks the financial means to abandon his post. Amidst the icy isolation, two local residents become his unlikely allies. Harris Montgomery, a fervent socialist, sees in Max a potential comrade, while Alice Field, a British war bride trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, finds a kindred spirit in him. Alice, like Max, is a stranger in a strange land, her alien existence mirrored in Max's plight. She seeks solace in their shared sense of displacement and turns to him for emotional succor. As Max's inaugural year in Willowgreen unfolds, he embarks on a journey of understanding and connection. He not only learns to see life through the lens of his defiant students but also discovers a newfound resilience within himself. His relationship with Alice, though a love destined to remain unfulfilled, and his rapport with his students forge a connection that transcends the confines of the classroom, leaving a lasting imprint on his heart. Max's tale is a testament to the human spirit's ability to thrive amidst adversity and find hope in the most unexpected places.

Where to watch Why Shoot the Teacher??

Why Shoot the Teacher? is a comedy movie featuring Bud Cort and directed by Silvio Narizzano.

Why Shoot the Teacher? is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Why Shoot the Teacher? on Amazon Video.