Brave attempt to show Downs children

A new teacher (Judy Garland) joins a home for children with learning difficulties or out and out Downs Syndrome and her attempts to understand how best to help the children compared to the head master (played by Burt Lancaster).

It would be a brave subject now let alone at the time and it is enhanced by using real downs syndrome children.

Lancaster is good and shows that he can act even if he never loses his distinctive speaking pattern but Judy struggles with her role and this causes the film to suffer.

The story compares how reality of teaching and caring for the children can differ from a more idealistic way.