That this inspired the series is its best recommendation.
John Housman is an exceptional performer and carries this character into the series.
The students in this movie are not quite up to the fullness of character that series students portrai.
But they do have their moments.

As someone mentioned in a review a couple years ago, there aren't many people to like in this film. They mostly come across with a lot of weakness or self-assuredness bordering on arrogance. I hadn't seen it in more than 25 years until I got and watched this video. In watching it again, I do agree with those who say the movie is very slow, possibly boring to some. I guess you have to like the struggle Hart goes through and then accept that he conquers it at the end when he doesn't end up caring about his grade. Overall, I like the movie, but would not watch it frequently.

One odd thing: on the back of the CD insert which describes the film a bit, it says "Knightsfield," rather than "Kingsfield."

those who blamed the author for the ending must be the ones who failed law school. lol. only the winner gets to despise that piece of paper, which once was believed to fatally declare one's destiny. On the one hand, Hart endured, dived deep, conquered, and strived to get through with all he can do; and in this sense, the process of trying to conquer is itself the end that he had pursued but the piece of paper isn't. so he doesn't even care about it. On the other hand, he realized that he'd achieved the satisfaction and the feeling of overcoming by himself, so that piece of paper doesn't get to judge him. I kinda admire such attitudes as you try hard to earn just so that you can finally say "to hell with you" in the end.

This early 1970s gem is worth viewing for John Houseman's performance as the haughty law professor, Charles Kingsfield, who evokes the best and worst from his students. Timothy Bottoms does a fine job as Kingsfield's suffering freshman, James Hart, as the film follows his progress through the first year of Harvard Law School. Many of the other performances are less compelling; in particular, Lindsay Wagner as the professor's daughter (and Hart's love interest) is somewhat wooden, and Hart's classmates are formulaic. Quibbles aside, though, The Paper Chase is as enjoyable as many of today's effects-laden productions. I first saw it during its theatrical release, and watching it again more than 40 years later reminded me why it made a strong impression on me on the first go-around.

This isn't Barack Obama's Harvard, the law professor in the "Paper Chase" expecting excellence from its students and not faux personalities who can vomit political correctness at will.

John Houseman gives his usual spectacular performance of not being upset by anything except students who try to fake it. You may enjoy seeing early acting in this movie by Lindsay Wagner, Edward Hermann, Graham Beckel, and David Clennon. The movie went on to become a television series where the character "Hart" seems more realistic as a student trying to achieve greatness in protecting our founder's law. You can watch this short segment from beginning of TV series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZJEhlIefxA