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The History Boys [2006] | | |
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, The History Boys is a faithful, intelligent piece of cinema, even if it is a little reluctant to stray from its theatrical roots.Penned by Alan Bennett and set in 1982 Yorkshire, The History Boys follows a group of `A' Level students as they're schooled through their attempts to get into Oxbridge. Under the tutelage of Richard Griffiths' liberal Hector and Campbell Moore's Irwin, there's plenty here to admire. Firstly, the script crackles along, with snappy dialogue and characters well worthy of your interest. Secondly, the performances from the predominantly young cast are well worthy of note. And then there's the deft directorial touch of Nicholas Hytner (The Madness Of King George, The Crucible), all of which lifts The History Boys into a film of real merit. There are questions to be asked over whether you're expected to sympathise with one or two characters in the film, of course, and there's the aforementioned issue that it's far too faithful to the source play (which results in an overlong running time). But ultimately, The History Boys is a witty, challenging and testing film, whose qualities outweigh its problems. --Jon Foster
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| Customer Reviews:
 Thought provoking though not like my school experience January 9, 2007
Greg Farefield-Rose (Hertfordshire United Kingdom)
36 out of 40 found this review helpful
History Boys is a film adaptation of an Alan Bennett play about eight boys spending an extra term at school for their Oxbridge exams in the early 80s. It stars the same young men who have successfully played the boys on stage over the last couple of years as well as fine performances by Richard Griffiths, Frances De La Tour, Clive Merrison and Stephen Campbell Moore. The boys start their term being taught by the eccentric, camp academic Hector (Griffiths) though the dour, practical headmaster (Merrison) replaces some of his lessons with rookie recruit Irwin (Moore) to give the boys some edge and help them think outside the box. The contrast, conflict and respect between the two generations is cleverly portrayed, as is the gradual development of the individual personalities of the eight students.
All well written and beautifully developed then yet nothing like my secondary education even though the boys are only supposed to be a handful of years older than me. The undercurrent of homosexuality, ubiquitous use of surnames and flamboyant flouting of academic prowess were not part of my school experience though maybe these facets were more prevalent in single sex Grammar Schools a few years earlier.
Although The History Boys was written as a play and is probably most effective on stage, the film adaptation is memorable and thought-provoking with some fine dialogue and excellent performances. Well worth seeing.
 Not as good as the play, but still very good indeed January 6, 2007
Dr. George L. Sik (Epsom, Surrey)
32 out of 36 found this review helpful
It's very difficult to improve upon a successful play when you make it into a film. Even when it is done well (say, Sleuth or The Little Shop of Horrors), it's still never quite as good as seeing it on stage. What Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner have tried to do here is to open up the emotional lives of the play's characters a bit more and make the feel more naturalistic.
Neither ambition succeeds all that well: though Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore) is now a more vulnerable teacher, the emotion somehow distracts from the argument at the work's heart about what education should be about (passing exams or learning for its own sake - and what should be learned?). As for the fact that everything feels more real, this robs us of some of the best jokes from the play, such as Mrs Lintott (Frances de la Tour)'s complaint that she has 'not so far been afforded an inner voice'.
These are tiny quibbles - the film is still streets ahead of most in terms of ideas, intellect and sophistication...and is still very funny. But the changes are interesting and not entirely welcome. Posner (Samuel Barnet) ends up with a more optimistic future than he did in the play, surely sentimentality on Bennett's part, though this is offset by one of the other boys being killed by friendly fire in Iraq. An added PE teacher doesn't add much. For me, most disappointingly of all, Russell Tovey's plain-speaking Rudge (my favourite character) doesn't get to sing It's a Sin at the end so gets to finish his schooldays on a note of regret, rather than personal triumph. Bizarrely, I hear this terrific scene has even been cut from the play now.
I'm being picky, of course. It's still marvellously enjoyable. The play was just that teensy bit better. But, as I've said, that's true of everything from The Rocky Horror Show to Henry V.
The History Boys June 8, 2007
Malc Toll (London, UK)
32 out of 34 found this review helpful
I have bought many DVD's through Amazon, but having seen this film on the stage, at the cinema and now on a rented DVD, I decided to share my views with others for the first time. Perhaps being a little biased as I think everything Alan Bennett writes is worth reading or looking at, I must disagree with those reviewers who feel it is too faithful to the stage play. If it hadn't been then I think it would have diminished the quality of the production.
I've shared the film with any friends of a variety of ages, from 17 to 87 and there has not been one who hasn't found it a very enjoyable experience. A film well worth taking the time to look at.
Witty, amusing and warm February 7, 2007
S. Wolfe (England)
31 out of 37 found this review helpful
Despite views that the West End show is better, that does not belittle the fact that the film is by itself a work of genius. Witty, funny, clever, with a fantastic screen play and excellent acting from all the cast this film will not disappoint.
It is interesting it is set in the 80s: the ideas of learning and class struggles would have fitted more into a 60s or 70s setting but this does not greatly detract from the ideas.
The script is slick and filmed carefully, the 'French lesson' scene is particularly amusing (elementary understanding of french is useful but not essential) and the ending is particularly moving.
This is a fantastic film and is worth well watching, whether you are an aspiring Historian, English student or just enjoy reflecting on what school could have been like...
EXCELLENT FILM ! March 29, 2007
Val De Beer
31 out of 37 found this review helpful
From the beginning of this film to the end, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The comparison between the teaching styles of the various teachers - History, 'General Knowledge', Physical Education was fascinating to watch as was the effect on the boys.
These were exceptionally bright boys who had achieved brilliant A levels and were being groomed for the entrance examinations to Oxford and Cambridge.
It was particularly interesting to see how, typically, these boys were swayed to believe the new, bright teacher who seemed to know all there was to know about answering exam topics and how they seemed to turn their backs on the teacher who had taught them all they knew about life in theory, portrayed with brilliance by Richard Griffiths.
His Uncle Monty character in 'Withnail and I' was brushed and polished to perfection in 'The History Boys' but in this film he is appealing and likeable despite his obvious flaws.
Each character is played to perfection and reviewers should be aware that because a character is not likeable, that doesn't mean that he is not played well, on the contrary of course.
There are wonderful scenes which stand alone like the private lesson on Hardy's ' Drummer Hodge' which is a masterpiece in how to teach poetry with love and passion.
'Hector' talks of 'Passing the Parcel' when he describes his part in the teaching chain, but he is so much more than that - he is a devoted lover of words and it is that which ultimately, the boys recognise.
Alan Bennett's control of dialogue is masterful of course, and the film is a delight to watch and to listen to.
I loved it.
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