Overview
A poignant tale of love and resilience in the face of societal prejudice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- melodramatic
- tender
- hopeful
- classic movie night
- social issue film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's compassionate performances and forceful direction, while some found its social melodrama contrived and overly sentimental.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Selina and Gordon fall in love while Rose-Ann objects specifically to Gordon being black, making racism the central external barrier.
Gordon's daily park meetings teach Selina how to navigate the city and expand her world beyond the apartment.
Selina spends thirteen years trapped in a tiny Los Angeles apartment under Rose-Ann's control and Ole Pa's neglect.
Gordon treats Selina kindly and practically, helping her adjust to city life while respecting her dignity.
Films like A Patch of Blue, and why
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Shared interracial romance, racial prejudice, sincere melodrama, and socially conscious 1960s drama.
Loving
Shared interracial relationship, coming-of-age emotional awakening, and confrontation with family and social racism.
Children of a Lesser God
Shared tender romance shaped by disability, social isolation, and the struggle for personal dignity.
Imitation of Life
Shared intimate melodrama, marginalized protagonists, and compassionate treatment of difficult social realities.
Movie Details
- Director
- Guy Green
- Release Date
- 1965-12-10
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (126)
Cast
- Sidney Poitier
- Shelley Winters
- Elizabeth Hartman
- Wallace Ford
- Ivan Dixon
- Elisabeth Fraser
- John Qualen
- Kelly Flynn
- Debi Storm
- Renata Vanni
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Patch of Blue about?
- A sheltered blind young woman discovers love and independence when a compassionate stranger opens her world, forcing her abusive mother to confront an interracial relationship.
- What is A Patch of Blue like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Patch of Blue as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is A Patch of Blue violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A Patch of Blue as mild.
- What did critics think of A Patch of Blue?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's compassionate performances and forceful direction, while some found its social melodrama contrived and overly sentimental.
- Which films are like A Patch of Blue?
- Films with a similar feel include Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Loving, Children of a Lesser God, and Imitation of Life.
- How long is A Patch of Blue?
- A Patch of Blue runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Patch of Blue?
- In United States, A Patch of Blue is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
