Harlem School 1970 [Blu-ray]

Harlem School 1970 Blu-ray presents Phil Gries’ direct cinema documentary, filmed in the spring of 1970 and commercially unreleased for decades. Observing a day in the life of Community School 30, a newly opened primary school in Harlem, New York, the film captures an intimate time capsule of students, teachers, faculty, parents and staff.

Focusing on kindergarten through 4th Grade students, Harlem School 1970 records the daily rhythms of the classroom, lunch, recess, games, songs, conflicts and routines that shaped the school environment. Shot in an observational style reminiscent of filmmakers such as the Maysles, D.A. Pennebaker and Frederick Wiseman, the film offers a rare look at inner-city education and childhood during a challenging moment in American history.

Restored in 2K in 2026 by Ben Wolf in collaboration with Phil Gries and Gries Cinema Productions, this Blu-ray includes extensive interviews, screenings, audio material, documentary follow-ups, restoration demo and archival reflections.

directed by: Phil Gries
starring: Arthur Atkins, Ronnie Berman, Maria Bithorn
1970 / 50 min / English / 1-Disc Blu-ray