The Measure Of A Man: Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier, KBE (1927 - 2022) was the first black actor to win the Academy Award for best actor for his outstanding performance in Lilies Of The Field. His landmark films include The Defiant Ones, A Patch Of Blue, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and To Sir, With Love. His body of work is arguably the most morally significant in cinematic history, and the power and influence of that work are indicative of the character of the man behind these many storied roles. He explored these elements of character and personal values to take his own measure - as a man, as a husband, and father, and as an actor. He was uncompromising as he pursued a personal and public life that would honor his upbringing and the invaluable legacy of his parents. Committed to the notion that what one does for a living articulates who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful and lasting about the human condition. This is Poitier's own introspective look at what informed his performances and his life, exploring the nature of sacrifice and commitment, pride and humility, rage and forgiveness and paying the price for artistic integrity. What emerges is a picture of a man seeking truth, passion, and balance in the face of limits - his limits and those of the world. Illustrated with black and white photographs.